Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 13

Guṇa-viveka, Haṁsa-gītā, and the Yoga that Cuts False Ego

Devanagari script

अप्रमत्तोऽनुयुञ्जीत मनो मय्यर्पयञ्छनै: । अनिर्विण्णो यथाकालं जितश्वासो जितासन: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

apramatto ’nuyuñjīta mano mayy arpayañ chanaiḥ anirviṇṇo yathā-kālaṁ jita-śvāso jitāsanaḥ

Translation

修行者应当不放逸、庄重，不懒惰也不消沉。既能调伏坐法与调息（制息、坐势），便应于黎明、正午与日落时分练习将心安住于我；如此渐次，心将完全融入于我。

Synonyms

• apramattaḥ: one who is not heedless; attentive
• apramattaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- + pramatta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• anuyuñjīta: should engage (himself)
• anuyuñjīta: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu + yuj (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• manaḥ: the mind
• manaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• mayi: in Me
• mayi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• arpayan: placing; offering
• arpayan: Karta (कर्ता) (participial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arpaya (causative stem of √ṛ/arp?; denominative from arpaṇa) (धातु/कृदन्त-आधार)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमान कृदन्त/शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); ‘placing/offer­ing’

• śanaiḥ: gradually
• śanaiḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śanaiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) ‘slowly, gradually’

• anirviṇṇaḥ: not despondent
• anirviṇṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- + nirviṇṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• yathā-kālam: at the proper time; as time permits
• yathā-kālam: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā + kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound used adverbially (क्रियाविशेषण)

• jita-śvāsaḥ: with controlled breath
• jita-śvāsaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita + śvāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); ‘whose breath is conquered/controlled’

• jita-āsanaḥ: with mastered posture
• jita-āsanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); ‘whose posture/seat is mastered’

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about controlling the mind in bhakti?

This verse teaches vigilant, gradual practice: steadily offer the mind to the Lord without discouragement, supporting devotion with disciplined habits like regulated breath and posture.

Why did Krishna instruct Uddhava to fix the mind on Him gradually?

Because the mind becomes steady through consistent practice over time; Krishna advises a step-by-step offering of the mind to Him, avoiding frustration while cultivating discipline.

How can I apply “gradually offering the mind to Krishna” in modern life?

Set regular times for japa, hearing, and prayer; reduce distractions incrementally; and maintain simple discipline (posture, breathing, routine) so the mind learns to return to Krishna again and again.