Bhagavad Gita BG 6.25
Chapter 6, Verse 25 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया । आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥
shanaih shanaih uparamed buddhya dhriti-grhitaya atma-samsthah manah krtva na kincid api cintayet
Meaning
Gradually, step by step, let one reach cessation — with the intellect held by steadfastness. Having established the mind in the Self — let one not think of anything whatsoever.
Understanding
Shanaih shanaih — gradually, step by step (not violently, not forcing). Uparamet — let one reach the cessation of mental activity (upashama). Buddhya dhriti-grhitaya — with the intellect held by dhrti (steadfastness, patient endurance — the word suggests a firm grip). Atma-samstha manah krtva (having established/settled the mind in the Self). Na kincid api cintayet — let one not think of ANYTHING whatsoever. This is the instruction for nirvikalpa: the thought-free, undivided samadhi.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शनैः शनैः | shanaih shanaih | gradually, step by step, slowly |
| उपरमेत् | uparamet | let one come to cessation, subside |
| धृतिगृहीतया | dhriti-grhitaya | held by steadfastness/patient endurance |
| आत्मसंस्थम् | atma-samsthah | established in the Self, resting in the Self |
| चिन्तयेत् | cintayet | let one think, contemplate (here negated: not think) |
| बुद्ध्या | buddhyā | with intelligence / through the intellect |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind |
| कृत्वा | kṛtvā | having made / placing (mind in the self) |
| न | na | not (should not think of anything) |
| किञ्चित् | kiñcit | anything / nothing whatsoever |
| अपि | api | even / at all |