Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6
आत्मसंयमयोग — Atma Samyama Yoga
The Yoga of Self-Mastery

Atma Samyama Yoga
Chapter Overview
Chapter 6 is the definitive guide to meditation and self-discipline. Krishna describes the practice of dhyana yoga, the posture, the place, the technique, and the fruits of meditation. He addresses Arjuna's concern about the restless mind and assures that sincere effort is never wasted.
Core Themes in This Chapter
Key Verses in Chapter 6
All Verses in Chapter 6(47 available)
True renunciation is not the abandonment of action, but the performance of one's duty with complete detachment from its fruits, leading to inner peace and unwavering purpose.
True renunciation is the inner discipline of letting go of desires, plans, and attachment to the results of your actions, enabling a steady mind and focused performance.
The journey to mastery is progressive: begin with active, purifying engagement, and evolve towards wise, discerning stillness to achieve deeper realization.
Inner stability and true Yoga are attained by mastering the mind, detaching from sense-objects and actions, and consciously renouncing all desire-born thoughts (Sankalpas).
Your ultimate friend and foe reside within; take full responsibility for your self-mastery and elevation, for your destiny is forged by your inner choices.
You are your own greatest friend or enemy; self-mastery transforms inner conflict into inner strength and liberation.
Master your inner self to remain unshaken and peaceful amidst all of life's dualities – joy and sorrow, success and failure, praise and blame.
True harmony and liberation stem from profound inner satisfaction, unshakeable equanimity towards all external phenomena, and complete mastery over one's senses.
Cultivate unwavering equanimity and equal vision towards all beings, for this spiritual impartiality is the hallmark of true excellence and inner freedom.
Master your mind through disciplined focus, intentional solitude, and detachment from desires and possessions, thereby attaining profound inner peace and self-mastery.
Intentional creation of a conducive external environment is foundational for internal stability and effective engagement.
Through disciplined, one-pointed focus and conscious regulation of mind and senses, one can purify inner thoughts and emotions, leading to profound inner peace and transformative self-mastery.
Master your physical posture and gaze to cultivate unwavering focus and inner stillness, understanding that a steady body is foundational to a steady and concentrated mind.
Master your mind, cultivate fearlessness, and align your life with a supreme purpose to achieve unwavering serenity and inner strength.
Consistent self-discipline and mastery over the mind are the direct paths to profound inner peace, culminating in spiritual liberation and union with the Divine.
Achieving true balance and moderation in daily habits, especially eating and sleeping, is the fundamental cornerstone for sustained well-being, mental clarity, and success in any endeavor.
Through consistent moderation in all aspects of life – from nourishment and rest to work and recreation – one establishes a foundation for enduring peace and freedom from suffering.
Achieve true harmony and lasting peace by mastering the mind, freeing it from desire, and anchoring it firmly within your unwavering inner Self.
Through dedicated mental discipline and focused practice, cultivate an unwavering inner stillness that illuminates your path and brings profound peace, clarity, and effectiveness to all aspects of life.
Through disciplined control of the mind, one attains profound inner quietude, enabling true self-awareness and lasting, unconditional contentment within.
True and lasting happiness, stability, and wisdom emerge when we cultivate a pure intellect to perceive the inherent bliss and reality beyond sensory distractions.
The ultimate gain is an unshakeable inner peace and profound fulfillment, realized by identifying with the changeless Self, making one impervious to external sorrow and loss.
True inner peace, defined as severance from suffering, is achieved through unwavering determination and an indomitable, undesponding spirit in all endeavors.
Achieve profound inner peace and unwavering self-mastery by consciously relinquishing desires born of imagination and firmly restraining your senses with a disciplined mind.
Cultivate lasting inner peace through patient, disciplined control of the mind, gradually centering your awareness within.
Wherever your restless mind wanders, gently but firmly bring it back to your inner Self for true control and lasting peace.
Cultivate inner peace, control your passions, realize your true divine nature, and live a pure life to attain supreme, lasting bliss, unaffected by the world.
Through consistent, pure-minded spiritual practice, one effortlessly attains infinite, unwavering bliss by connecting with the eternal Self, transcending all worldly sorrows.
Through inner harmony, perceive the universal Self in all beings and experiences, dissolving division and fostering profound unity.
Recognize the divine presence in all beings and experiences, for in this vision of universal unity, you discover an unbreakable, eternal connection to the Divine and to all of existence.
By realizing the divine unity in all beings, you transcend external circumstances and abide in eternal peace, finding liberation in every moment and action.
The highest Yogi embodies universal empathy, seeing the singular Self in all beings and experiences, thereby transcending duality and living a life of profound compassion and equanimity.
Mastering the naturally restless mind is the central challenge in cultivating equanimity and inner stillness, demanding persistent effort and self-awareness.
The mind is inherently restless and challenging to control, yet acknowledging its powerful nature is the crucial first step toward developing conscious strategies for inner peace and effective living.
The inherently restless mind can be mastered by diligently applying consistent spiritual or mental practice and cultivating detachment from sensory distractions and the fruits of actions.
Mastery in any endeavor, be it spiritual or worldly, hinges on self-control and diligent, methodical effort; an uncontrolled mind makes such attainment nearly impossible.
Faith provides the direction, but consistent self-discipline and focused effort are indispensable for achieving any significant goal, preventing the outcome of incomplete endeavors.
Full commitment and unwavering focus are essential to avoid becoming lost and unrooted, ensuring progress and stability on any chosen path.
When facing profound doubt, humbly seek complete clarity from the ultimate authority, for only they can provide full resolution.
Sincere and righteous effort is never in vain; it always leads to progress and protects you from ultimate loss, ensuring your well-being in all circumstances.
No sincere effort, especially in personal or spiritual growth, is ever wasted; it ensures future opportunities and advantageous conditions for continued progress towards ultimate success.
Consciously cultivate an environment and relationships that foster wisdom and spiritual growth, for these are the most valuable assets on your journey.
No genuine effort towards growth or mastery is ever lost; it forms an enduring foundation that propels you towards greater perfection in every subsequent endeavor.
Every sincere effort and genuine aspiration contributes to your ultimate growth and progress, persisting beyond immediate outcomes and guiding you towards your higher purpose, whether consciously aware of it or not.
Persistent, dedicated effort, applied consistently over time, leads to purification, gradual perfection, and the realization of one's highest potential.
Beyond mere knowledge, action, or asceticism, cultivate the integrated, direct experience of Yoga for profound inner peace, ultimate effectiveness, and true mastery in life.
The highest path to spiritual mastery and profound fulfillment lies in cultivating unwavering faith and completely, lovingly merging one's inner being with the Divine.
Who Should Read This Chapter?
- Meditation practitioners
- Those struggling with restless minds
- People seeking concentration techniques
- Anyone dealing with anxiety or mental chaos