bhagavad-gitagitakrishnadhyana-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 6.17 — Yuktahara-viharasya

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.१७ — युक्ताहारविहारस्य in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning, before establishing the day's routine, or before meditation practice·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 17

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In this practical verse from the Dhyana Yoga (meditation) chapter, Krishna gives the timeless formula for a balanced life. Yoga becomes the destroyer of sorrow only for one who is moderate in food and recreation, balanced in work, and regulated in sleep and waking. Neither extreme indulgence nor harsh self-denial leads to peace — the middle path of moderation does. This verse is a foundation for health, mental steadiness, and successful meditation.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 17 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the sixth chapter, the Yoga of Meditation (Dhyana Yoga), Krishna describes how the yogi should sit, control the mind, and practice. He clarifies that yoga is not for one who eats or sleeps too much, nor for one who eats or sleeps too little. This verse gives the balanced ideal: through moderation in all things, yoga itself becomes the remover of sorrow.

✦ As told in scripture

Yogis who adopted this measured way of life — eating, resting and working in harmony — are said to have attained calm, radiant health and a mind so steady that deep meditation flowed naturally, freeing them from the sorrows that trouble the restless and the extreme.

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The Mantra

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yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-cheṣhṭasya karmasu yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā

Meaning:For one who is moderate in eating and recreation, balanced in action, and regulated in sleep and wakefulness, yoga becomes the destroyer of all sorrows.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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yukta🔊moderate, regulated

āhāra🔊eating, food

vihārasya🔊of recreation, of activity and rest

yukta-cheṣhṭasya🔊balanced in effort

karmasu🔊in actions, in work

yukta🔊regulated, moderate

svapna🔊sleep

avabodhasya🔊of wakefulness, of being awake

yogaḥ🔊Yoga

bhavati🔊becomes

duḥkha-hā🔊the destroyer of sorrows

Benefits of Chanting श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.१७ — युक्ताहारविहारस्य

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Establishes a balanced, disciplined lifestyle that supports inner peace

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Makes meditation effective by harmonizing body, mind and habits

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Promotes physical health through moderation in food, rest and activity

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Frees the seeker from sorrow born of extremes and imbalance

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Steadies the mind and prepares it for deep concentration

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Teaches the 'middle path' — avoiding both indulgence and severe austerity

How to Chant श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.१७ — युक्ताहारविहारस्य

Repetitions11times

Best TimeMorning, before establishing the day's routine, or before meditation practice

Chant this verse while resolving to bring balance into your daily habits — eating, working, resting and sleeping in moderation. It is especially helpful for those beginning a meditation or wellness routine. Let it remind you that lasting peace and successful yoga come not from extremes but from a measured, harmonious life. Reflect on one area of moderation each time you recite it.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.१७ — युक्ताहारविहारस्य 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 becomes the destroyer of all sorrows for the person who is moderate in eating, recreation, work, sleep and wakefulness. The verse establishes moderation and balance as the key to a peaceful, successful spiritual life.

Because both overindulgence and extreme self-denial disturb the body and mind, making meditation impossible. A balanced life keeps the body healthy and the mind steady, allowing yoga to flourish and dissolve suffering.

While spoken in the context of meditation, its wisdom is universal. Anyone who lives with balance in diet, activity, rest and sleep gains greater health, clarity and peace — making it a practical guide for everyday well-being.

It means that yoga, practiced by one who lives a balanced life, removes both physical and mental suffering. By harmonizing one's habits, the practitioner becomes capable of the deep meditation that brings lasting freedom from sorrow.