Chapter 6 · Shloka 36— The Yoga of Meditation / Self-Control

asaṅyatātmanā yogo duṣhprāpa iti me matiḥ vaśhyātmanā tu yatatā śhakyo ’vāptum upāyataḥ

asanyata-ātmanā

— one whose mind is unbridled

yogaḥ

— Yog

duṣhprāpaḥ

— difficult to attain

iti

— thus

me

— my

matiḥ

— opinion

vaśhya-ātmanā

— by one whose mind is controlled

tu

— but

yatatā

— one who strives

śhakyaḥ

— possible

avāptum

— to achieve

upāyataḥ

— by right means

"Asamyatatmana yogo dusprapa iti me matih, vasyatmana tu yatata sakyo 'vaptum upayatah." — Yoga is hard to attain for one whose mind is unrestrained — this is My view; but it can be attained by one who strives, working through the right means, with a disciplined mind. Krishna completes his answer to Arjuna's objection (begun in 6.35). He concedes the first half honestly: for the 'asamyatatma' — the person of unrestrained, ungoverned mind — yoga is indeed 'dusprapa,' hard to attain. He does not pretend otherwise. Arjuna's difficulty is real. But the second half is full of hope and precision: 'vasyatmana tu yatata sakyah avaptum upayatah' — yet it CAN be attained by one who (a) has a disciplined mind ('vasyatma' — a mind brought under control through practice and dispassion, per 6.35), (b) strives diligently ('yatata' — makes sustained effort), and (c) uses the right means ('upayatah' — proper methods). Shankaracharya highlights this balanced realism: the difficulty is acknowledged, and so is the solution. Yoga is not impossible — it is difficult for the undisciplined and achievable for the disciplined. The three conditions Krishna names are precisely the answer to Arjuna's despair: discipline the mind (through abhyasa and vairagya), strive consistently, and apply the correct techniques. The overall message of 6.34–36 is among the most encouraging in the Gita: yes, the mind is wild as the wind; yes, it is hard; but no, it is not hopeless. With the right means and persistent effort, even the wildest mind can be tamed.

Krishna's answer is a masterclass in balanced honesty: yes, taming the mind is genuinely hard for the undisciplined — he won't sugarcoat it. BUT it's absolutely achievable with three things: a mind being trained through practice, consistent effort, and the right methods. Notice he doesn't say 'try harder' alone — he says use the right MEANS. This is huge. Most failure isn't from lack of effort but from grinding without proper technique. The encouraging takeaway: your wild mind isn't a hopeless case. With the right approach plus persistence, even the windiest mind can be steadied. Difficulty is not impossibility.

Krishna's answer is a masterclass in balanced honesty: yes, taming the mind IS genuinely hard if you're undisciplined — he refuses to sugarcoat it. BUT it's 100% doable with three things: a mind you're actively training, consistent effort, and the RIGHT methods. Notice he doesn't just say 'try harder' — he says use the right MEANS. That's huge. Most failure isn't from lack of effort; it's from grinding without proper technique. The takeaway: your feral mind is NOT a lost cause. Right approach + persistence = even the windiest mind gets steady. Hard ≠ impossible.

Krishna gives an honest and hopeful answer to Arjuna! He says: 'Yes, if you don't train your mind, yoga is very hard. BUT if you keep your mind disciplined, try sincerely, and use the right methods — you absolutely CAN do it!' So a wild mind isn't impossible to calm — it just takes practice, effort, and the right techniques. Like learning to ride a bike: hard at first, but totally possible if you keep trying the right way!