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Chapter 6 · Verse 16 · Dhyana Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 6.16

serene Mind & Meditation Dharma & Duty Self & Identity

Sanskrit

नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः। न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन।।6.16।।

Transliteration

nātyaśhnatastu yogo ’sti na chaikāntam anaśhnataḥ na chāti-svapna-śhīlasya jāgrato naiva chārjuna

Word by Word

na not
ati too much
aśhnataḥ of one who eats
tu however
yogaḥ Yog
asti there is
na not
cha and
ekāntam at all
anaśhnataḥ abstaining from eating
na not
cha and
ati too much
svapna-śhīlasya of one who sleeps
jāgrataḥ of one who does not sleep enough
na not
eva certainly
cha and
arjuna Arjun
Simplified Perspective

Krishna here reveals that yoga is not found in extremes—neither in gluttony nor starvation, neither in excessive sleep nor sleeplessness. The Middle Path is the gateway to unity with the Divine, for extremes agitate the mind and pull us away from our true nature.

When you honor your body with moderate nourishment and rest, you create the sacred space where meditation naturally blooms. This wisdom applies today: sustainable spiritual practice requires balance in eating, sleeping, and working—not punishing asceticism or indulgent excess, but the intelligent rhythm that keeps you present and alive.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 6.16 — BG 6.16

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

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