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Bhagavad Gita 6.16 — Natyashnatas Tu Yogo Asti

Bhagavad Gita 6.16 — Natyashnatas Tu Yogo Asti in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning, while planning the day’s routine and meditation practice·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 16

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In the Yoga of Meditation chapter, Krishna gives practical guidance: yoga is not for one who eats too much or too little, nor for one who sleeps too much or keeps awake excessively. Spiritual practice flourishes on moderation in all the daily habits of eating, sleeping, work and recreation.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 16 · Bhagavan Sri Krishna (as recorded by Maharishi Veda Vyasa) · Ancient (part of the Mahabharata, c. 5th–2nd century BCE in present form)

Within the Dhyana Yoga chapter, Krishna moves from the posture and place of meditation to the lifestyle that supports it. This verse and the one that follows form the Gita's prescription of the 'middle way' of moderation, long before the seeker can hope to still the restless mind. It reflects the timeless wisdom that the body must be a balanced ally, not an enemy, on the path.

✦ As told in scripture

Yogis affirm that those who honour this middle path of moderation find the body light and the mind clear, so that meditation deepens swiftly; ignoring it, they say, the most earnest practice falters through dullness or restlessness.

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The Mantra

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nātyaśhnatastu yogo ’sti na chaikāntam anaśhnataḥ na chāti-svapna-śhīlasya jāgrato naiva chārjuna

Meaning:Verily, Yoga is not possible for him who eats too much, nor for him who does not eat at all, nor for him who sleeps too much, nor for him who is always awake, O Arjuna.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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na🔊not

ati🔊too much

aśhnataḥ🔊of one who eats

tu🔊however, indeed

yogaḥ🔊Yoga

asti🔊there is

na cha ekāntam🔊nor at all

anaśhnataḥ🔊of one abstaining from eating

ati-svapna-śhīlasya🔊of one who sleeps too much

jāgrataḥ🔊of one who stays awake too much

na eva cha🔊certainly not, and

arjuna🔊O Arjuna

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 6.16 — Natyashnatas Tu Yogo Asti

✦

Teaches moderation (yukta-ahara-vihara) as the basis of successful meditation

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Guides a balanced regimen of eating, sleeping and activity

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Supports physical health and mental steadiness for spiritual practice

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Removes the extremes of indulgence and harsh asceticism

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Creates the calm, regulated lifestyle that makes yoga possible

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A practical daily reminder for disciplined, sattvic living

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 6.16 — Natyashnatas Tu Yogo Asti

Repetitions11times

Best TimeMorning, while planning the day’s routine and meditation practice

Recite the verse as a reminder before fixing your daily schedule. Let it inspire moderate, regular habits — eat neither too much nor too little, sleep adequately but not excessively, balance work and rest. A disciplined, sattvic routine then makes seated meditation steady and fruitful.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 6.16 — Natyashnatas Tu Yogo Asti written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Krishna teaches that yoga succeeds only with moderation. One who eats too much or fasts excessively, sleeps too much or stays awake too long, cannot attain the steadiness required for meditation. Balance in daily habits is essential.

Not extreme fasting. This verse explicitly says yoga is impossible for one who does not eat at all, just as for one who overeats. The Gita favours a balanced, moderate diet (described further in the next verse, 6.17).

The body and mind are instruments of yoga. Overeating brings dullness, starvation brings weakness, oversleeping brings inertia, and sleeplessness brings agitation. Moderation keeps the mind clear, light and steady for inner practice.

Establish a regular routine: moderate sattvic meals at fixed times, sufficient but not excessive sleep, balanced work and recreation. This regulated lifestyle, called yukta-ahara-vihara, is the foundation Krishna prescribes for meditation.

Bhagavad Gita 6.17 — Yuktahara-viharasyaश्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.१७ — युक्ताहारविहारस्य Bhagavad Gita 6.19 — Yatha Dipo Nivata-sthoश्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.१९ — यथा दीपो निवातस्थो Bhagavad Gita 6.34 — Chanchalam Hi Manah Krishnaश्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.३४ — चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण Uddhared Atmana Atmanam (Bhagavad Gita 6.5)उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानम्Bhagavad Gita 6.46 — Tapasvibhyo Adhiko Yogiश्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 6.46 — तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी Karmanye Vadhikaraste (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते Bhagavad Gita 2.56 — Duhkheshv-anudvigna-manahश्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 2.56 — दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः

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