योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः | एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः || १० ||
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṃ rahasi sthitaḥ ekākī yata-cittātmā nirāśīr aparigrahaḥ
yogī—a transcendentalist; yuñjīta—must concentrate in self-realisation; satatam—constantly; ātmānam—himself (by body, mind, and self); rahasi—in a secluded place; sthitaḥ—being situated; ekākī—alone; yata-citta-ātmā—always careful in mind; nirāśīḥ—without being attracted by anything else; aparigrahaḥ—free from the feeling of possessiveness.
“Let the yogi constantly engage himself in yoga, situated in a secluded place, alone, with controlled mind and body, without desires, free from possessiveness.”
Krishna now turns to the practical instructions for meditation. Seclusion (rahasi) is recommended not as permanent withdrawal from society, but as a protected space and time for the essential practice of turning inward. Ekaki (alone) means free from social distraction. Yata-cittātmā (controlled mind and body) is the prerequisite. Nirāśīḥ (free from desire) and aparigrahaḥ (non-possessive) are the inner conditions. Without these, external seclusion accomplishes nothing.
Create a dedicated time and space for meditation every day — even if it is only fifteen minutes in a quiet corner. Guard this time as non-negotiable. The outer seclusion creates the condition for inner silence, which over time becomes portable: you carry it with you into the noise of daily life.