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← Chapter 6: The Yoga of Meditation

Verse 6.23

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

तं विद्याद्दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम्। स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा॥

Transliteration (IAST)

taṁ vidyād duḥkha-saṁyoga-viyogaṁ yoga-saṁjñitam sa niścayena yoktavyo yogo 'nirviṇṇa-cetasā

Word-by-Word Meanings

tam vidyāt-one should know that
duḥkha-saṁyoga-viyogam-disconnection from union with suffering
yoga-saṁjñitam-called yoga
niścayena-with determination
yoktavyaḥ-must be practiced
anirviṇṇa-cetasā-with undaunted mind

Translation

Let that be known as yoga - the disconnection from union with suffering. This yoga must be practiced with determination and an undaunted mind.

Commentary

Krishna defines yoga etymologically as duḥkha-saṁyoga-viyoga: severance from the connection with suffering. The emphasis on niścaya (firm resolve) and anirviṇṇa-cetasā (unwearied mind) acknowledges that the path is long and requires persistent effort without discouragement.

Themes

yogamoksha