The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
यतो यतःwhereverनिश्चरतिwanders outमनःthe mindचञ्चलम्restlessअस्थिरम्unsteadyततस्ततःfrom there, from thereनियम्यrestrainingएतत्thisआत्मनिin the true selfएवonlyवशम्under controlनयेत्should bring
Read literallywherever · wanders out · the mind · restless · unsteady · from there, from there · restraining · this · in the true self · only · under control · should bring
Understanding the verse
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Whenever the restless mind wanders off, Krishna's instruction is plain: bring it back to the self.
Each time the mind runs off, bring it back again and again to the true self.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna teaches Arjuna on the battlefield at Kurukshetra, where the warrior's mind must be trained like a wild horse. After telling him to withdraw the mind from distraction, Krishna gives the practical method: every time it escapes, bring it back.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Halfway through the evening aarti, you realise you have been planning tomorrow's grocery list. Krishna's instruction for that moment is simple: notice the wandering and bring the mind back, as many times as it takes.
The takeaway
“Progress comes from returning, not from never drifting.”
Each time the mind runs off, bring it back again and again to the true self.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.26?
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 6.26?
Verse 26 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 6.26 matter today?
Halfway through the evening aarti, you realise you have been planning tomorrow's grocery list. Krishna's instruction for that moment is simple: notice the wandering and bring the mind back, as many times as it takes.
Whenever the restless mind wanders off, Krishna's instruction is plain: bring it back to the self.
What this verse means
Each time the mind runs off, bring it back again and again to the true self.
Context & commentary
Krishna teaches Arjuna on the battlefield at Kurukshetra, where the warrior's mind must be trained like a wild horse. After telling him to withdraw the mind from distraction, Krishna gives the practical method: every time it escapes, bring it back.
What it looks like today
Halfway through the evening aarti, you realise you have been planning tomorrow's grocery list. Krishna's instruction for that moment is simple: notice the wandering and bring the mind back, as many times as it takes.
“Progress comes from returning, not from never drifting.”
Explore related themes: manas (49 verses), dhyana (31 verses), self mastery (16 verses)