dhyānayogaḥ · 6.10
The meditator should regularly practice meditation in solitude, alone, with body and mind disciplined, free from binding desires and the burden of possessiveness.
योगी युञ्जीत सततम् आत्मानं रहसि स्थितः ।
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः ॥६.१०॥
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ ।
ekākī yatacittātmā nirāśīraparigrahaḥ ॥
🎧 Listen to the shloka
💡 How to understand this
Krishna is teaching Arjuna how to sit quietly for prayer or meditation.
First, choose a quiet place. If you sit where everyone is talking, the TV is on, and toys are everywhere, your mind will run here and there. A clean and quiet place helps the mind become peaceful.
Second, sit by yourself for a little while. This does not mean you do not like others. It means you are giving your mind time to become quiet.
Third, keep your body and mind steady. Sit properly. Breathe calmly. Do not keep looking around.
Fourth, do not bring all your worries into prayer. If you are worried about school, friends, or games, you can tell Bhagavān, “I will do my best. Please help me stay calm.”
Fifth, do not think too much about your things. Toys, books, games, and clothes are useful, but they are not more important than a peaceful mind.
Krishna says that when we sit in a quiet place with a calm body and a calm mind, prayer becomes deeper.
📖 A story to remember
Aarav wanted to say his evening prayer. He sat on the sofa, but the television was on. His sister was playing with blocks. His toy car was next to him. After one minute, he opened his eyes and started rolling the car.
His grandmother smiled and said, “Let us make a small prayer corner.”
They cleaned a little space near the window. Aarav placed a small picture of Krishna, a flower, and a tiny lamp there. His grandmother said, “When you sit here, keep your toys away for five minutes. Sit by yourself. Tell Krishna what is in your heart.”
The next evening, Aarav sat in the prayer corner. At first, he remembered his toy car. Then he remembered his homework. Then he took a breath and said, “Krishna, I will do my homework after prayer. Please help me sit quietly now.”
Slowly, he became calmer. The little corner felt special. After prayer, he went back to his toys happily.
That is Krishna’s teaching. A quiet place, a steady body, and a simple mind help prayer become peaceful.
🤔 Think about it
◈Where is one quiet place where I can sit for prayer?
◈Can I keep my toys or screen away for five minutes while I pray?
⭐ Remember this
This verse begins the specific preparation for meditation. The meditator should practice regularly, sit in a quiet place, remain alone, discipline the body and mind, and reduce the mental burden caused by binding desires and possessiveness. These conditions make the mind available for dhyānam.
🎯 Challenge!
Can you explain this shloka to a friend in your own words? Try telling the story to someone in your family!