Bhagavad Gita · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Kinds of Faith
Chapter 17, Verse 16
"Bhagavad Gita 17.16" — meaning and explanation.
मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः | भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते
manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṃ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ . bhāvasaṃśuddhirityetattapo mānasamucyate
Meaning
17.16 Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, self-control, purity of nature this is called mental austerity.
।।17.16।। मन की प्रसन्नता, सौम्यभाव, मौन आत्मसंयम और अन्त:करण की शुद्धि यह सब मानस तप कहलाता है।।
Explanation
17.16 मनःप्रसादः serenity of mind? सौम्यत्वम् goodheartedness? मौनम् silence? आत्मविनिग्रहः selfcontrol? भावसंशुद्धिः purity of nature? इति thus? एतत् this? तपः austerity? मानसम् mental? उच्यते is called.Commentary Just as a lake which is without a ripple on it surface is very tranil? so also the mind which is free from modifications? from wandering thoughts of sensual objects? is ite serene and calm.Saumyatvam Intent on the welfare of all beings the state of mind which may be inferred from its effects? such as brightness of the face? etc.Maunam Even silence of speech is necessarily preceded by the control of thought? and so the effect is here used to stand for the cause? viz.? the control of thought this is the result of the control of thought so far as it concerns speech? silence of the mind? ability to remain calm even amidst disturbing factors from without. Mauna is the condition of the Muni (sage)? i.e.? practice of meditation with onepointedness of mind.Atmavinigrahah Selfcontrol A general control of the mind. Asamprajnata Samadhi wherein all the modifications of the mind are controlled. The mind cannot run after the senses and the senses cannot run after their objects. In Mauna there is control of thought so far as it concerns speech.Bhavasamsuddhih Purity of nature Honesty of purpose freedom from cunningness in dealing with other people the pure state of the mind wherein there is absence of lust? anger? greed? etc.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 17.16 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, verse 16, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 17.16
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 17.16 mean?
17.16 Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, self-control, purity of nature this is called mental austerity.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 17.16 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, verse 16, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.