श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.३४ — चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.३४ — चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
चञ्चलम्
chañchalam
restless
हि
hi
certainly
मनः
manaḥ
the mind
कृष्ण
kṛiṣhṇa
O Krishna
प्रमाथि
pramāthi
turbulent, agitating
बलवत्
bala-vat
strong
दृढम्
dṛiḍham
obstinate, unyielding
तस्य
tasya
its
अहम्
aham
I
निग्रहम्
nigraham
control, subduing
मन्ये
manye
think, consider
वायोः
vāyoḥ
of the wind
इव
iva
like
सुदुष्करम्
su-duṣhkaram
very difficult to perform
Complete Translation
क्योंकि हे कृष्ण ! यह मन चंचल और प्रमथन स्वभाव का तथा बलवान् और दृढ़ है; उसका निग्रह करना मैं वायु के समान अति दुष्कर मानता हूँ ।।
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 34
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the sixth chapter, Dhyana Yoga (the yoga of meditation), Krishna describes the practice of meditation and equanimity. Arjuna responds candidly that controlling such a restless mind seems as hard as restraining the wind. His honest doubt prompts Krishna's famous reassurance that the mind can be subdued through practice and detachment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Arjuna compare the mind to the wind in Bhagavad Gita 6.34?▼
Arjuna says the mind is as difficult to control as the wind because both are restless, powerful and seemingly impossible to grasp or restrain. The comparison vividly captures how the mind constantly moves and resists being held still in meditation.
What is Krishna's answer to this complaint?▼
In the very next verse (6.35), Krishna agrees that the mind is restless and hard to control, but reassures Arjuna that it can certainly be mastered through abhyasa (consistent practice) and vairagya (detachment). This makes 6.34 the question and 6.35 the practical solution.
What are the four qualities of the mind named here?▼
Arjuna describes the mind as chanchala (restless), pramathi (turbulent or agitating, even disturbing the senses and body), balavat (strong), and dridha (obstinate or unyielding). Together they explain why controlling the mind is so challenging.
How is this verse useful for meditators today?▼
It reassures practitioners that a wandering mind is normal, even for sincere seekers. By honestly acknowledging the difficulty and then applying steady practice and detachment as Krishna advises, anyone can gradually gain mastery over the restless mind.
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