One whose mind is satisfied by knowledge and realization, who remains steady, who has conquered the senses, and who sees clay, stone, and gold alike is called a yogi in union.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 6.8
Hindi · हिन्दी
जिसका अन्तःकरण ज्ञानविज्ञानसे तृप्त है, जो कूटकी तरह निर्विकार है, जितेन्द्रिय है और मिट्टीके ढेले, पत्थर तथा स्वर्णमें समबुद्धिवाला है ऐसा योगी युक्त योगारूढ़ कहा जाता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्माone whose inner being is satisfied by knowledge and realizationकूटस्थःsteady like a mountain; unchangingविजितेन्द्रियःone whose senses are conqueredयुक्तःjoined; in unionइतिthusउच्यतेis calledयोगीthe yogiसमलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनःequal-minded toward clay, stone, and gold
Read literallyone whose inner being is satisfied by knowledge and realization · steady like a mountain; unchanging · one whose senses are conquered · joined; in union · thus · is called · the yogi · equal-minded toward clay, stone, and gold
Understanding the verse
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Clay, stone and gold look alike to the yogi satisfied by knowledge, steady and master of the senses.
A person who is fulfilled by clear understanding, steady in mind, and in control of the senses sees wealth and ordinary matter with the same calmness.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna is still learning how to stand without being pulled by fear or desire. Krishna describes the yogi whose mind is full, senses mastered, and judgment even. Such a person no longer ranks the world by greed.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A jeweller's elderly father sits in the shop all day among gold and price tags, and treats the sweeper's tea and a client's necklace with the same calm. Krishna's yogi sees clay, stone and gold that way.
The takeaway
“Real freedom feels unshaken by what others call valuable.”
Explore related themes: vairagya(51 verses), dhyana(31 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 6.8 mean?
A person who is fulfilled by clear understanding, steady in mind, and in control of the senses sees wealth and ordinary matter with the same calmness.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.8?
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 6.8?
Verse 8 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 6.8 matter today?
A jeweller's elderly father sits in the shop all day among gold and price tags, and treats the sweeper's tea and a client's necklace with the same calm. Krishna's yogi sees clay, stone and gold that way.
Clay, stone and gold look alike to the yogi satisfied by knowledge, steady and master of the senses.
What this verse means
A person who is fulfilled by clear understanding, steady in mind, and in control of the senses sees wealth and ordinary matter with the same calmness.
Context & commentary
Arjuna is still learning how to stand without being pulled by fear or desire. Krishna describes the yogi whose mind is full, senses mastered, and judgment even. Such a person no longer ranks the world by greed.
What it looks like today
A jeweller's elderly father sits in the shop all day among gold and price tags, and treats the sweeper's tea and a client's necklace with the same calm. Krishna's yogi sees clay, stone and gold that way.
“Real freedom feels unshaken by what others call valuable.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), dhyana (31 verses)