Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga, verse 18
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते।
निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥
Say ityadā viniyataṁ chittam ātmanyevāvatiṣhṭhate
niḥspṛihaḥ sarva-kāmebhyo yukta ityuchyate tadā
Translation
When the perfectly controlled mind rests in the Self alone, free from longing for any of the objects of desire, then it is said, 'He is united'.
Swami Sivananda
A person who has become free from hankering for all desirable objects is said to be Self-absorbed when the controlled mind rests solely in the Self.
Swami Gambirananda
Follows the commentary of Shankara (Advaita).
When the subdued mind rests solely on the Self, then, free from all yearning for objects of desire, one is said to be fit for Yoga.
Swami Adidevananda
Follows the commentary of Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita).
When his mind, well-controlled, is established in nothing but the Self, and he is free from craving for any desired object—at that time he is called a master of Yoga.
Dr. S. Sankaranarayan
Follows the commentary of Abhinavagupta (Kashmir Shaivism).
When the mind is completely controlled, centered in the Self, and free from all earthly desires, then the man is truly spiritual.
Shri Purohit Swami
वशमें किया हुआ चित्त जिस कालमें अपने स्वरूपमें ही स्थित हो जाता है और स्वयं सम्पूर्ण पदार्थोंसे निःस्पृह हो जाता है, उस कालमें वह योगी है - ऐसा कहा जाता है।
Swami Ramsukhdas
वश में किया हुआ चित्त जिस कालमें अपने स्वरुपमें ही स्थित हो जाता है और स्वयं सम्पूर्ण पदार्थों नि: स्पृह हो जाता है, उस कालमें वह योगी कहा जाता है।
Swami Tejomayananda
Classical commentariesFor deeper study. Most are in the original Sanskrit.
Advaita
Non-dual: the self and the absolute are one.
Vishishtadvaita
Qualified non-dual: souls are real parts of the divine.
Dvaita
Dual: the soul and God are eternally distinct.
Shuddhadvaita
Pure non-dual, centred on grace and devotion.
Kashmir Shaivism
The Gita read through Trika Shaiva philosophy.
Modern teachers
20th-century teachers writing for today's readers.
Verse map
How this verse connects to feelings, situations, ideas and other verses. Hover or tap to see why; these links are drafts awaiting review.