Chapter 6 Verse 37
Dhyān Yog
अर्जुन उवाच अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः। अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति।।6.37।।
arjuna uvācha ayatiḥ śhraddhayopeto yogāch chalita-mānasaḥ aprāpya yoga-sansiddhiṁ kāṅ gatiṁ kṛiṣhṇa gachchhati
Word Meanings
| arjunaḥ uvācha | Arjun said |
| ayatiḥ | lax |
| śhraddhayā | with faith |
| upetaḥ | possessed |
| yogāt | from Yog |
| chalita-mānasaḥ | whose mind becomes deviated |
| aprāpya | failing to attain |
| yoga-sansiddhim | the highest perfection in yog |
| kām | which |
| gatim | destination |
| kṛiṣhṇa | Shree Krishna |
| gachchhati | goes |
Translation
Arjuna said, "He who is unable to control himself, even though he has faith, and whose mind wanders away from Yoga, what end does he meet, having failed to attain perfection in Yoga, O Krishna?"
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna is asking a simple but deep question: if someone has faith but cannot steady the mind and keeps getting distracted, what happens to their goal of Yoga? The verse highlights that inner control is essential; faith alone is not enough to reach the goal.
Philosophically, it shows that spiritual maturity depends on steady effort and mental discipline. A wandering mind prevents the full realization of Yoga, so the path requires training attention and will, not just belief.
At the same time, the question implies mercy in the system: failure is not final—restlessness delays perfection and calls for renewed practice, not despair.
Life Application
- Build a short, regular practice (5–15 minutes daily) to train the mind rather than waiting for long sessions to fix everything.
- Use simple anchors (breath, a prayer, or a walking rhythm) to bring attention back whenever the mind wanders.
- Treat lapses as signals to adjust practice, not as proof you are hopeless; recommit gently and keep going.
Reflection Question
When my mind drifts, do I criticize myself or quietly bring myself back to practice?