Bhagavad Gita 6.33

Verse 33

अर्जुन उवाच | योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन | एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम् || ३३ ||

Transliteration

arjuna uvāca yo 'yaṃ yogas tvayā proktaḥ sāmyena madhusūdana etasyāhaṃ na paśyāmi cañcalatvāt sthitiṃ sthirām

Synonyms

arjunaḥ uvāca—Arjuna said; yaḥ ayam—this system; yogaḥ—mysticism; tvayā—by You; proktaḥ—described; sāmyena—in general; madhusūdana—O killer of the demon Madhu; etasya—of this; aham—I; na paśyāmi—do not see; cañcalatvāt—due to being restless; sthitim—situation; sthirām—stable.

Translation

Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, this yoga of equanimity that You have described — I do not see how it can be steadily maintained, due to the restlessness of the mind.

Multi-Tradition Commentary

Swami Chinmayananda

Arjuna's interruption here is one of the most beautiful moments in the Gita — because it gives voice to the honest experience of every ordinary seeker. He has heard the magnificent description of the yogi and the practice of yoga. And he says simply: 'I cannot see how this is possible — my mind is too restless.' This is not weakness; it is honesty. And Krishna's response will be the most encouraging passage in the entire chapter.

Practical Application (Modern Life)

If you feel, after reading the meditation instructions of Chapter 6, that it sounds impossible — you are in excellent company with Arjuna. Acknowledge your restless mind without shame. The acknowledgement itself is a step toward the practice. Krishna's response will meet you exactly where you are.

Chapter Content

View all shlokas in Chapter 6

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