Bhagavad Gita 6.7 — The Self-Controlled Yogi Remains Established in the Supreme
जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः।
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः॥ ६.७॥
For one who has mastered the mind and attained inner peace, the Supreme Lord remains firmly established in the heart. Such a yogi maintains equanimity amid all dualities of life, such as heat and cold, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| jitātmanaḥ | of one who has conquered the mind |
| praśāntasya | who is perfectly peaceful |
| paramātmā | the Supreme Self |
| samāhitaḥ | remains firmly established |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śītoṣṇasukhaduḥkheṣu | amid cold and heat, pleasure and pain |
| tathā | and likewise |
| mānāpamānayoḥ | in honor and dishonor |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| jitātmanaḥ | of one who has conquered the mind | śītoṣṇasukhaduḥkheṣu | amid cold and heat, pleasure and pain |
| praśāntasya | who is perfectly peaceful | tathā | and likewise |
| paramātmā | the Supreme Self | mānāpamānayoḥ | in honor and dishonor |
| samāhitaḥ | remains firmly established | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the state of a seeker who has mastered the mind and remains inwardly peaceful amid all the dualities of life.
Essence
Lord Krishna's Profound Psychological Insight
Here, Lord Krishna paints the picture of the inner state of a person who has completely conquered the mind. Such a person experiences profound peace within and is no longer disturbed by changing external circumstances.
Jitātmanaḥ praśāntasya: One who has gained mastery over the mind and senses attains deep inner tranquility. The inner conflicts, restlessness, and emotional turbulence gradually come to an end.
Paramātmā samāhitaḥ: When the mind becomes perfectly calm, the presence of the Supreme Lord naturally reveals itself within the seeker's heart. God is no longer experienced as something distant but as a living reality within one's own consciousness.
Śītoṣṇa, sukha-duḥkha, and mānāpamāna: Lord Krishna mentions three major pairs of opposites that people face in life—physical conditions such as heat and cold, emotional experiences such as pleasure and pain, and social responses such as honor and dishonor. An ordinary person is constantly shaken by these, whereas one who has mastered the mind remains inwardly balanced through them all.
This equanimity does not mean becoming emotionless or indifferent. Rather, it means rising above changing circumstances while preserving inner stability.
Message for Everyday Life (Developing Emotional Resilience)
Keep the control of your peace in your own hands: If your happiness depends entirely on praise or criticism from others, then true freedom has not yet been attained. The Gita teaches us to take ownership of our own inner state.
Practical approach: Whenever pleasure or pain, success or failure, honor or dishonor comes your way, pause before reacting. Remind yourself that these experiences are temporary. With regular practice, this develops emotional resilience and lasting inner strength.
Next Topic
When a seeker remains steady amidst life's dualities, an even deeper transformation takes place. In the next verse, Lord Krishna explains how such a yogi views worldly objects with complete equanimity.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
A peaceful mind remains steady amid changing circumstances.
True strength is measured by stability, not intensity.
External conditions lose power over an inwardly centered person.
The Divine is most clearly reflected in a quiet mind.
Praise and criticism test character more than success and failure.
Equanimity turns life's extremes into opportunities for growth.
Master the inner climate and the outer weather matters less.