Bhagavad Gita — Dhyana Yoga, Shloka 8

Atma Samyama Yoga

Devanagari script

ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रियः । युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः ॥ ६.८ ॥

Transliteration

jñāna-vijñāna-tṛptātmā kūṭastho vijitendriyaḥ | yukta ity ucyate yogī sama-loṣṭāśma-kāñcanaḥ || 6.8 ||

Translation

The yogī whose inner being is satisfied with knowledge and realized wisdom, who is steadfast and free from change, who has conquered the senses—such a one is called united (yukta); to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are the same.

Gita Press Meaning

जिसका अन्तःकरण ज्ञान-विज्ञान से तृप्त है, जो विकाररहित (कूटस्थ) है, जिसने इन्द्रियों को जीत लिया है और जिसके लिये मिट्टी, पत्थर और सोना समान हैं—वह योगी युक्त कहा जाता है।

Critical Edition Meaning

The yogin whose self is satisfied with knowledge and realized understanding, who is unshaken and has conquered the senses, and to whom clod, stone, and gold are equal—he is called ‘integrated’ (yukta).

Comparative Note

Most recensions read essentially the same. Interpretive divergence centers on kṣūṭastha/kūṭastha: devotional-traditional readings gloss it as ‘unchanging like an anvil’ or ‘established in the immutable Self,’ while academic-literal renderings keep ‘unshaken/immutable’ without importing later Vedāntic technicalities.

Word by Word

• ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा: one whose self is satisfied (content) with knowledge and realized wisdom
• ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा: Karta
• Root: ज्ञान-विज्ञान-तृप्त-आत्मन्

• कूटस्थः: steadfast; unchanging; abiding like an anvil (immovable)
• कूटस्थः: Karta
• Root: कूटस्थ

• विजितेन्द्रियः: one whose senses are conquered (controlled)
• विजितेन्द्रियः: Karta
• Root: विजित-इन्द्रिय

• युक्तः: yoked; disciplined; integrated (in yoga)
• युक्तः: Karta
• Root: युज् (युक्त)

• इति: thus
• Root: इति

• उच्यते: is said; is called
• Root: वच्

• योगी: a yogin; practitioner/abider in yoga
• योगी: Karta
• Root: योगिन्

• समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः: one to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are equal
• समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः: Karta
• Root: सम-लोष्ट-अश्मन्-काञ्चन

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Jñāna
• Vijñāna
• Indriya-nigraha
• Samatva
• Yoga (yukti)

Key Themes

• Equanimity toward objects
• Sense-mastery
• Stability of consciousness
• Integration through insight

FAQs

Psychological significance?

The verse describes a stabilized personality: sensory impulses are regulated, and valuation of external objects (e.g., wealth) no longer drives mood and decision-making. This points to reduced reactivity and greater cognitive-emotional balance.

Metaphysical meaning?

It frames yogic maturity as rooted in both conceptual knowledge (jñāna) and lived realization (vijñāna), culminating in an ‘unshaken’ stance associated with the Self’s constancy rather than changing experiences.

Contextual relevance?

Within Chapter 6’s discussion of meditation, this verse characterizes the successful meditator: inner satisfaction and equanimity are presented as markers that practice has matured beyond technique into transformation.

Modern Application?

It can be applied as a guideline for evaluating progress in contemplative practice: are choices less compulsive, and do status/possessions have less power to disturb one’s composure?