Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 35 Meaning

The Blessed Lord said, "Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the mind is difficult to control and restless; but with practice and dispassion, it can be restrained."

BG 6.35

श्री भगवानुवाच असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलं। अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते

śhrī bhagavān uvācha asanśhayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ chalam abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa cha gṛihyate

Meaning

The Blessed Lord said, "Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the mind is difficult to control and restless; but with practice and dispassion, it can be restrained."

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What Does Bhagavad Gita 6.35 Mean?

Krishna's response to Arjuna's despair about the uncontrollable mind is both honest and hopeful. He agrees — yes, the mind is difficult to control. He does not minimize the challenge or offer false comfort. But then He provides the two essential tools: abhyasa (practice) and vairagya (dispassion). Practice means sustained, repeated effort — showing up again and again to the work of meditation regardless of how it goes.

Dispassion means gradually loosening the grip of desires and aversions that fuel the mind's restlessness. These two work together: practice without dispassion becomes frustrating; dispassion without practice becomes passive. Together, they form a complete methodology. Notice that Krishna does not say the mind can be controlled instantly or easily — He says it 'can be restrained,' implying a gradual process.

This is perhaps the most realistic and encouraging teaching on meditation in all of spiritual literature. The difficulty is acknowledged, the method is given, and the result is promised — but patience and persistence are required.

— Explained by the Nitya Team

What Is the Context of Bhagavad Gita 6.35?

Detailed instructions on meditation, controlling the mind, and achieving inner stillness.

Key themes in this chapter include Meditation, Mind control, Self-discipline.

How Can I Apply Bhagavad Gita 6.35 in Daily Life?

  • When you need steadiness while dealing with meditation
  • When practicing mind control amid uncertainty
  • When applying self-discipline to real-life choices

Verse FAQs

What is the main idea of Bhagavad Gita 6.35?
Krishna's response to Arjuna's despair about the uncontrollable mind is both honest and hopeful. He agrees — yes, the mind is difficult to control. He does not minimize the challenge or offer false comfort. But then He provides the two essential tools: abhyasa (practice) and vairagya (dispassion)....
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.35 in daily life?
Apply this teaching when making choices or doing your duties. Focus on mind control and keep your mind steady regardless of outcomes.

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