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Chapter 17 · Verse 6 · Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 17.6

philosophical Jnana & Wisdom Self & Identity Dharma & Duty

Sanskrit

कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः।मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान्।।17.6।।

Transliteration

karṣhayantaḥ śharīra-sthaṁ bhūta-grāmam achetasaḥ māṁ chaivāntaḥ śharīra-sthaṁ tān viddhy āsura-niśhchayān

Word by Word

karṣhayantaḥ torment
śharīra-stham within the body
bhūta-grāmam elements of the body
achetasaḥ senseless
mām me
cha and
eva even
antaḥ within
śharīra-stham dwelling in the body
tān them
viddhi know
āsura-niśhchayān of demoniacal resolves
Simplified Perspective

Those who torment their bodies and the life-force within them, denying the Divine presence that dwells in every cell, reveal the assuric nature of their consciousness. They war against existence itself, treating the body as an enemy rather than a sacred temple.

This verse shows us that self-destruction masquerading as discipline is actually a form of spiritual blindness—a rejection of the God who lives within. When we shame our bodies or punish ourselves through extreme asceticism without wisdom, we are projecting our own inner violence outward, creating suffering both within and around us.

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Bhagavad Gita 17.6 — BG 17.6

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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