Dhyana Yoga · Verse 3

Bhagavad Gita 6.3

You reach steadiness through action, then preserve it through stillness.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते ।
योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो योगसमता में आरूढ़ होना चाहता है, ऐसे मननशील योगीके लिये कर्तव्यकर्म करना कारण कहा गया है और उसी योगारूढ़ मनुष्यका शम शान्ति परमात्मप्राप्तिमें कारण कहा गया है ॥
English
For the sage who seeks to rise into yoga, action is the means. For the one who has risen in yoga, stillness is the means.

What this verse means

Action helps a seeker rise into yoga. Once that steadiness is reached, calm stillness becomes the support.

Context & commentary

On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen, and Krishna begins mapping the path back to steadiness. He explains that a seeker first uses right action to climb toward inner discipline, and then uses calm stillness to remain established there.

Why this verse still matters

You are learning to meditate, but your mind keeps darting to messages, chores, and unfinished conversations. First you need disciplined practice; later, the deeper work is learning to stay quiet without effort.

The takeaway

Progress is not forced by pressure alone; there is a time for effort and a time for quiet.

Word-by-word translation

आरुरुक्षोः (of one seeking to ascend) / मुनेः (of the sage) / योगम् (to yoga) / कर्म (action) / कारणम् (means/cause) / उच्यते (is said) / योगारूढस्य (of one established in yoga) / तस्य (of that one) / एव (indeed) / शमः (stillness) / कारणम् (means/cause) / उच्यते (is said)

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