Verse 6.36
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः। वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asaṁyatātmanā yogo duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo 'vāptum upāyataḥ
Word-by-Word Meanings
asaṁyata-ātmanā-by one with uncontrolled self
duṣprāpaḥ-difficult to attain
me matiḥ-My opinion
vaśya-ātmanā-by one with controlled self
yatatā-striving
upāyataḥ-by proper means
Translation
For one whose mind is uncontrolled, yoga is difficult to attain - this is My opinion. But for one who strives with a controlled mind, it is achievable through proper means.
Commentary
Krishna offers a realistic assessment: yoga is indeed difficult for the undisciplined, but achievable for those who apply proper methods with self-control. The word upāyataḥ (by proper means) emphasizes that technique matters - it is not mere willpower but skillful practice.
Themes
yoga