As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, so the disciplined mind of a yogi does not waver while practicing yoga of the true self.
— Krishna
❋
Bhagavad Gita · 6.19
Hindi · हिन्दी
जैसे स्पन्दनरहित वायुके स्थानमें स्थित दीपककी लौ चेष्टारहित हो जाती है, योगका अभ्यास करते हुए वश में किए हुए चित्तवाले योगीके चित्तकी वैसी ही उपमा कही गयी है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
यथाasदीपःlampनिवातस्थःplaced in a windless placeनेङ्गतेdoes not flickerसाthatउपमाcomparisonस्मृताis rememberedयोगिनःof the yogiयतचित्तस्यof the controlled mindयुञ्जतःpracticingयोगम्yogaआत्मनःof the true self
Read literallyas · lamp · placed in a windless place · does not flicker · that · comparison · is remembered · of the yogi · of the controlled mind · practicing · yoga · of the true self
Understanding the verse
✦
A lamp in a windless place does not flicker, and that is the yogi's steadied mind.
Built onchittayoga
01
In plain words
What this verse means
A trained mind becomes steady and unmoving, like a lamp that does not flicker when there is no wind.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps teaching Arjuna how meditation changes a person from the inside. After describing the controlled mind, he gives a vivid image: a lamp in a windless place. That is the calm he wants Arjuna to recognize.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
During Diwali, you notice that the diya in the sheltered alcove burns straight while the one by the open door gutters. Krishna uses that image for a mind trained in meditation.
The takeaway
“Stillness is not emptiness; it is a mind no longer pulled around by every disturbance.”
A trained mind becomes steady and unmoving, like a lamp that does not flicker when there is no wind.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.19?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Dhyana Yoga" (The Yoga of Meditation).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 6.19?
Verse 19 sits in Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — Dhyana Yoga, "The Yoga of Meditation". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 6.19 matter today?
During Diwali, you notice that the diya in the sheltered alcove burns straight while the one by the open door gutters. Krishna uses that image for a mind trained in meditation.
A lamp in a windless place does not flicker, and that is the yogi's steadied mind.
What this verse means
A trained mind becomes steady and unmoving, like a lamp that does not flicker when there is no wind.
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps teaching Arjuna how meditation changes a person from the inside. After describing the controlled mind, he gives a vivid image: a lamp in a windless place. That is the calm he wants Arjuna to recognize.
What it looks like today
During Diwali, you notice that the diya in the sheltered alcove burns straight while the one by the open door gutters. Krishna uses that image for a mind trained in meditation.
“Stillness is not emptiness; it is a mind no longer pulled around by every disturbance.”
Explore related themes: dhyana (31 verses)