bhagavad-gitagitakrishnameditation

Bhagavad Gita 6.19 — Yatha Dipo Nivata-stho

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.१९ — यथा दीपो निवातस्थो

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Before sitting for meditation, early morning or at dusk in a quiet place·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 19

Also known as: yatha dipo nivata stho · yatha dipo nivatastho nengate sopama smrita · yogino yata chittasya yunjato yogam atmanah · bhagavad gita 6.19 · gita 6 19 · lamp in windless place gita verse

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Krishna offers one of the most beautiful images in all of yoga: a lamp flame in a place with no wind, burning utterly still. Such is the mind of the yogi who has disciplined his thoughts and is steadily absorbed in meditation upon the Self — unflickering, calm and luminous. The verse describes the goal of dhyana-yoga, where a perfectly steady mind reveals the radiant inner Self.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 19 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the sixth chapter, Dhyana Yoga, Krishna explains in detail how a seeker should meditate — the seat, the posture, the steadying of the mind, and the withdrawal of the senses. As the mind grows still through practice, it reaches the state described here, likened to a lamp burning motionless in windless air, fully absorbed in the Self.

✦ As told in scripture

Meditators across traditions describe how, when the mind finally grows as still as a sheltered flame, an inner light and profound peace dawn of their own accord — the very experience this verse points to as the fruit of steady dhyana.

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The Mantra

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यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता। योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः॥

yathā dīpo nivāta-stho neṅgate sopamā smṛitā yogino yata-chittasya yuñjato yogam ātmanaḥ

Meaning:As a lamp placed in a windless spot does not flicker — this is the simile given for the disciplined mind of a yogi who is steadily absorbed in the meditation of the Self.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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यथा🔊yathāas, just like

दीपः🔊dīpaḥa lamp, a flame

निवातस्थः🔊nivāta-sthaḥsituated in a windless place

न इङ्गते🔊na iṅgatedoes not flicker or waver

सा🔊sāthis, that

उपमा🔊upamāanalogy, simile

स्मृता🔊smṛitāis considered, is remembered/given

योगिनः🔊yoginaḥof the yogi

यतचित्तस्य🔊yata-chittasyawhose mind is controlled and disciplined

युञ्जतः🔊yuñjataḥsteadily practicing, engaging in union

योगम्🔊yogamyoga, meditation

आत्मनः🔊ātmanaḥof the Self, on the Supreme Self

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 6.19 — Yatha Dipo Nivata-stho

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Provides a vivid image to steady and calm the meditating mind

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Inspires the practice of deep, unwavering concentration (dhyana)

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Brings inner stillness, serenity and freedom from mental agitation

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Symbolizes the luminous Self revealed by a quieted mind

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Encourages a sheltered, distraction-free environment for meditation

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Deepens absorption and one-pointedness in spiritual practice

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 6.19 — Yatha Dipo Nivata-stho

Repetitions11times

Best TimeBefore sitting for meditation, early morning or at dusk in a quiet place

Recite this verse as you settle into meditation, then visualize a steady lamp flame burning without a flicker in still air. Let your mind become that flame — calm, upright and unwavering — as you gently rest attention on the inner Self. Whenever thoughts begin to flutter like a flame in the wind, return to this image to restore stillness and one-pointed focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Krishna compares the disciplined mind of a yogi absorbed in meditation to a lamp flame in a windless place that does not flicker. It is one of the most beloved images of inner steadiness in the entire Gita.

The unflickering flame represents a mind that has become perfectly calm and one-pointed through controlled thought and steady meditation on the Self. With no 'wind' of distraction, the mind shines steadily and reveals the inner light of the Atman.

Create a quiet, distraction-free setting (the 'windless spot'), sit steadily, and hold your attention gently and continuously on the Self or your chosen focus. When the mind wavers, recall the image of the still flame and let it settle again into unbroken stillness.

It is part of the sixth chapter, Dhyana Yoga, where Krishna describes the method, posture and inner state of meditation. This verse marks the description of the perfectly absorbed, unwavering mind that the practice aims to attain.