Chapter 6 · Shloka 10— The Yoga of Meditation / Self-Control

yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ ekākī yata-chittātmā nirāśhīr aparigrahaḥ

yogī

— a yogi

yuñjīta

— should remain engaged in meditation

satatam

— constantly

ātmānam

— self

rahasi

— in seclusion

sthitaḥ

— remaining

ekākī

— alone

yata-chitta-ātmā

— with a controlled mind and body

nirāśhīḥ

— free from desires

aparigrahaḥ

— free from desires for possessions for enjoyment

"Yogi yunjita satatam atmanam rahasi sthitah, ekaki yata-cittatma nirasir aparigrahah." — Let the yogi constantly engage the mind in union, remaining alone in solitude, with mind and body controlled, free of desires and possessiveness. Having described the qualities of the realized yogi (6.7–9), Krishna now turns to the practical method of meditation, which occupies the heart of the chapter (6.10–6.15). This verse lays out the preconditions. 'Satatam' — constantly, regularly: meditation is not occasional but a sustained discipline. 'Rahasi sthitah, ekaki' — situated in solitude, alone: the beginner especially needs an environment free from distraction and social demand. 'Yata-cittatma' — with mind (citta) and self (body/senses) controlled: the inner and outer instruments brought under restraint. 'Nirasih' — free of expectation and craving: meditating without grasping for experiences or results. 'Aparigraha' — free of possessiveness, the inner clutching at things. Shankaracharya notes the practical psychology here: solitude and the absence of possessions and cravings remove the very fuel that keeps the mind agitated. You cannot meditate effectively while the mind is busy guarding possessions, performing for others, or hungering for outcomes. These conditions are not arbitrary austerities but the direct removal of mental noise. The verse prepares the ground; the next verses describe the posture and technique.

Krishna's meditation prerequisites are surprisingly practical and modern: do it regularly (not once in a while), find solitude (reduce input and distraction), steady your body and mind, and let go of both craving for results and the urge to accumulate. Notice that the last two — expectation and possessiveness — are mental, not just physical. You can't settle into stillness while your mind is performing for an audience, guarding your stuff, or hungry for a 'good session.' These conditions aren't punishments; they remove the noise that makes inner quiet impossible.

Krishna's meditation starter pack is shockingly practical: do it regularly (not once a month), find actual solitude (cut the input), steady body and mind, and drop two things — craving a result and the urge to accumulate. Notice the last two are mental. You literally can't drop into stillness while your brain is performing for an imaginary audience or hungry for a 'good session.' These aren't strict rules to suffer through — they just remove the noise that makes quiet impossible.

Krishna gives a recipe for meditating well: do it regularly, find a quiet, peaceful spot alone, calm your body and mind, and don't wish for rewards or worry about owning lots of things. It's like getting ready for a peaceful nap — you find a quiet place, settle down, and let go of all your worries first. Then your mind can become beautifully still!