Chapter 6 Verse 4
Dhyān Yog
यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते। सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते।।6.4।।
yadā hi nendriyārtheṣhu na karmasv-anuṣhajjate sarva-saṅkalpa-sannyāsī yogārūḍhas tadochyate
Word Meanings
| yadā | when |
| hi | certainly |
| na | not |
| indriya-artheṣhu | for sense-objects |
| na | not |
| karmasu | to actions |
| anuṣhajjate | is attachment |
| sarva-saṅkalpa | all desires for the fruits of actions |
| sanyāsī | renouncer |
| yoga-ārūḍhaḥ | elevated in the science of Yog |
| tadā | at that time |
| uchyate | is said |
Translation
When a person is not attached to the sense-objects or to actions, having renounced all thoughts, then they are said to have attained Yoga.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says true yoga is reached when you are not attached to sense pleasures or to the results of your actions. It points to an inner freedom where the mind does not chase every desire or fear every outcome.
Renunciation here is inward, not necessarily leaving duties. It means acting without clinging to praise, profit, or loss, and staying steady when the senses pull you. In that calm steadiness the mind becomes established in yoga.
Life Application
- When you do work, focus on doing it well and then let go of worrying about the result.
- Notice strong urges from sight, taste, or habit; pause, breathe, and choose a calm response instead of reacting.
- Practice one task each day with the attitude of offering it—do it, then mentally release the outcome.
Reflection Question
Where today am I holding on to an outcome, and what would happen if I let it go?