Bhagavad Gita BG 6.17
Chapter 6, Verse 17 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु । युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥
yukta-ahara-viharasya yukta-ceshtasya karmasu yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha
Meaning
For one who is yukta (moderate) in food and recreation, yukta in actions, yukta in sleep and waking — yoga becomes the destroyer of suffering.
Understanding
The positive statement after the negatives of verse 16. Three domains of yukta (moderation, appropriate measure): yukta-ahara-vihara (moderation in food and recreation/movement), yukta-ceshta in karma (moderation in effort and action), yukta-svapna-avabodha (moderation in sleep and waking). For the person who lives in this intelligent balance, yoga bhavati duhkha-ha — yoga BECOMES the destroyer of duhkha (suffering). Not 'yoga reduces suffering' but yoga itself is the destroying force.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| युक्ताहारविहारस्य | yukta-ahara-viharasya | of one moderate in food and recreation |
| युक्तचेष्टस्य | yukta-ceshtasya | of one moderate in actions and efforts |
| युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य | yukta-svapnavabodhasya | of one moderate in sleep and wakefulness |
| दुःखहा | duhkha-ha | destroyer of suffering, that which destroys duhkha |
| योगः | yogaḥ | yoga / this yoga |
| भवति | bhavati | becomes / is achieved / arises |