Bhagavad Gita · Akshara Brahma Yoga — The Imperishable Absolute
Chapter 8, Verse 12
"Bhagavad Gita 8.12" — meaning and explanation.
सर्वद्वाराणि संयम्य मनो हृदि निरुध्य च | मूध्न्यार्धायात्मनः प्राणमास्थितो योगधारणाम्
sarvadvārāṇi saṃyamya mano hṛdi nirudhya ca . mūdhnyā^^rdhāyātmanaḥ prāṇamāsthito yogadhāraṇām
Meaning
8.12 Having closed all the gates, confined the mind in the heart and fixed the life-breath in the head, engaged in the practice of concentration.
।।8.12।। सब (इन्द्रियों के) द्वारों को संयमित कर मन को हृदय में स्थिर करके और प्राण को मस्तक में स्थापित करके योगधारणा में स्थित हुआ।।
Explanation
8.12 सर्वद्वाराणि all gates? संयम्य having controlled? मनः mind? हृदि in the heart? निरुध्य having confined? ट and? मूर्ध्नि in the head? आधाय having placed? आत्मनः of the self? प्राणम् breath? आस्थितः established (in)? योगधारणाम् practice of concentration.Commentary The gates are the senses of knowledge. Closing the gates means control of all senses by the practice of Pratyahara or withdrawal of the consciousness from them. Even if the senses are controlled? the mind will be dwelling on the sensual objects. Therefore the mind is confined or fixed in the lotus of the heart and thery all the thoughts or mental modifications are also controlled. The whole lifreath is now taken up and fixed at the crown of the head (Brahmarandhra or the hole of Brahman).
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 8.12 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, verse 12, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 8.12
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 8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 8.12 mean?
8.12 Having closed all the gates, confined the mind in the heart and fixed the life-breath in the head, engaged in the practice of concentration.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 8.12 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, verse 12, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.