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Bhagavad-gītā 6.36

असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मति: । वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्‍तुमुपायत: ॥ ३६ ॥
asaṁyatātmanā yogo
[asamyataatmanaa yogo]
duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ
[dushpraapa iti me matih]
vaśyātmanā tu yatatā
[vashyaatmanaa tu yatataa]
śakyo ’vāptum upāyataḥ
[shakyo ’vaaptum upaayatah]
Word-for-word
asaṁyata — unbridled ātmanā — by the mind yogaḥ — self-realization duṣprāpaḥ — difficult to obtain iti — thus me — My matiḥ — opinion vaśya — controlled ātmanā — by the mind tu — but yatatā — while endeavoring śakyaḥ — practical avāptum — to achieve upāyataḥ — by appropriate means .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
asaṁyatātmanā yogo
asaṁyata
unbridled
ātmanā
by the mind
yogaḥ
self-realization
duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ
duṣprāpaḥ
difficult to obtain
iti
thus
me
My
matiḥ
opinion
vaśyātmanā tu yatatā
vaśya
controlled
ātmanā
by the mind
tu
but
yatatā
while endeavoring
śakyo ’vāptum upāyataḥ
śakyaḥ
practical
avāptum
to achieve
upāyataḥ
by appropriate means .
Important Words
  • asaṁyata-ātmanā — by an unbridled mind
    A-saṁyata — 'not held-together, not restrained.' Instrumental. The mind itself is named as the instrument of failure. Without saṁyama (restraint), yoga is duṣprāpa.
  • duṣprāpaḥ — difficult to obtain
    Duṣ-prāpa — 'hard to attain.' Note: not impossible. The verse maintains the careful distinction: hard for the asaṁyata, possible for the vaśya.
  • vaśya-ātmanā — by a controlled mind
    Vaśya — 'subject to control.' The opposite of asaṁyata. The same instrumental case, the same word ātmā — but the quality reversed. One word's difference, and the verse's whole prognosis reverses.
  • yatatā — while endeavoring
    Present participle of √yat, 'to strive.' Even the controlled mind must strive. Control alone is not yoga; it is the prerequisite to yoga. Striving is still required.
  • śakyaḥ avāptum — practical to achieve
    Śakya — 'possible, capable of being done.' The Sanskrit is precise: the verse does not say easy; it says possible. Possibility is the gift Kṛṣṇa hands Arjuna at the close of his doubt.
  • upāyataḥ — by appropriate means
    Upāya — 'means, method.' From upa-√i, 'to approach.' Not any means — the right means. The verse closes by quietly insisting that there is a specific path; the seeker must find it, not invent one.
For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
Kṛṣṇa is candid: without self-restraint, yoga is impossible. But with effort, self-mastery, and the right upāya, it is fully within reach. The verse balances honesty (it is hard) with assurance (it is doable).
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
'Iti me matiḥ' — 'This is My opinion' — is the verbal signature of a teacher who has tested the prescription. Upāyataḥ ('by means') generalizes the abhyāsa-vairāgya pair of 6.35: any sound technique works, none works without self-mastery. The verse closes Kṛṣṇa's reassurance and opens the door to Arjuna's next, anxious question.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
असंयत-आत्मना योगः दुष्प्रापः इति मे मतिः; तु यतता वश्य-आत्मना उपायतः (योगः) अवाप्तुं शक्यः।
asaṃyata-ātmanā yogaḥ duṣprāpaḥ iti me matiḥ; tu yatatā vaśya-ātmanā upāyataḥ (yogaḥ) avāptuṃ śakyaḥ|
By one of unrestrained self yoga is hard to obtain — this is My opinion; but by one striving, with self mastered, working through the proper means, it can be attained.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
असंयत-आत्मना योगः दुष्प्रापः इति मे मतिः । वश्य-आत्मना तु यतता शक्यः अवाप्तुम् उपायतः ॥
asaṃyata-ātmanā yogaḥ duṣprāpaḥ iti me matiḥ | vaśya-ātmanā tu yatatā śakyaḥ avāptum upāyataḥ ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
असंयत-आत्मना asaṃyata-ātmanā अ + संयत (p.p.p. (past passive participle)) + आत्मन् (m.) ins.sg. (instrumental singular), bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) by one of unrestrained self
योगः yogaḥ योग (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) yoga
दुष्प्रापः duṣprāpaḥ दुस् + प्राप (adj.) nom.sg. (nominative singular)m. hard to obtain
इति iti ind. (indeclinable) thus
मे me अस्मद् (pron. (pronoun)) gen.sg. (genitive singular) My
मतिः matiḥ मति (f.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) opinion
वश्य-आत्मना vaśya-ātmanā वश्य (adj.) + आत्मन् (m.) ins.sg. (instrumental singular), bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) by one whose self is mastered
तु tu ind. (indeclinable) but
यतता yatatā √यत् pres. (present)part. ins.sg. (instrumental singular)m. by one striving
शक्यः śakyaḥ शक्य (fpp) nom.sg. (nominative singular)m. possible
अवाप्तुम् avāptum अव + √आप् inf. (infinitive) to attain
उपायतः upāyataḥ उपाय (m.) + तस् (abl. suffix) ind. (indeclinable) by means of (proper) means
Purport

The Supreme Personality of Godhead declares that one who does not accept the proper treatment to detach the mind from material engagement can hardly achieve success in self-realization. Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite a fire while pouring water on it. Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time. Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative, but it is useless as far as spiritual realization is concerned. Therefore, one must control the mind by engaging it constantly in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Unless one is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he cannot steadily control the mind. A Kṛṣṇa conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga practice without separate endeavor, but a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
36. It is My opinion that yoga is not possible for one whose mind is without practice and detachment. But it is possible to attain for one who endeavors and controls the mind by the intense practice.
Commentary

The Lord cites His own conclusion. Yoga is difficult for a person whose mind is not controlled by practice and detachment (asaṁyata ātmanā). Yoga or samādhi, characterized by stopping the mind, can be attained after a long time by a person who makes effort with the mind controlled (vaśyātmanā), because of intense practice (upāyataḥ).

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
36. It is My opinion that yoga is not possible for one with uncontrolled mind. But it is possible to attain for one who endeavors and controls the mind, by the proper method.
Commentary

Even if a man is wise, he cannot attain yoga, characterized by stopping the internal functions, if he does not control the mind with the practice and renunciation just mentioned. One who controls the mind by renunciation and practice with great effort (yatatā) attains yoga, using the proper method (upāyataḥ)—that is, by niṣkāma karma, a form of jñāna, characterized by worship of Me. That is my opinion.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Translation
For one whose mind is unbridled, self‑realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion. PURPORT The Supreme Personality of Godhead declares that one who does not accept the proper treatment to detach the mind from material engagement can hardly achieve success in self‑realization. Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite a fire while pouring water on it. Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time. Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative, but it is useless as far as spiritual realization is concerned. Therefore, one must control the mind by engaging it constantly in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Unless one is engaged in Krsna consciousness, he cannot steadily control the mi Krsna conscious person easily achieves the result of practice without separate endeavor, but a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krsna conscious.
Commentary

Whether one practices karma‑yoga, jnana‑yoga or astanga‑ yoga, or bhakti‑yoga ‑ the same points are needed: controlling one's mind (abhyasa) and detachment from matter (vairagya). After hearing how to draw away with the difficult situations that makes yoga practice unendurable and so difficult, Arjuna asks a question:

[ E . THE DESTINATION OF THE UNSUCCESSFUL YOGI (6. 37‑45) Krsna then answers Arjuna's doubt about the destination of a unsuccessful yogi or anyone on an auspicious, spiritual path. The Lord explains that after enjoying on the higher planets, the yogi takes birth within a righteous or aristocratic family. If he is unsuccessful after a long practice, he will take birth in a family of wise transcendentalists. He will then automatically become attracted to yogic principles (even without seeking them). Then, after rigourous practice, he will attain the supreme goal. (These verses are expanded from 2 .40, which refers to the protection of one on a spiritual path). ]

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.36 & 6.37: After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in

yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
6.36 Me, My; matih, conviction; is iti, that; Yoga is dusprapah, difficult to be attained; asamyata-atmana, by one of uncontrolled mind, by one who has not controlled his mind, the internal organ, by practice and detachment. Tu, but, on the other hand; sakyah, Yoga is possible; avaptum, to be attained; yatata, by one who strives, who repeatedly makes effort; upayatah, through the means described above; and vasyatmany, by one of controlled mind, by him whose mind has been brought under control through practice and detachment. As to that, by accepting the practice of Yoga, actions leading to the attainment of this or the next world may be renounced by a yogi, and yet he may not attain the result of perfection in Yoga, i.e. full Illumination, which is the means to Liberation. Conseently, at the time of death his mind may waver from the path of Yoga. Apprehending that he may be thery ruined.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
6.36 Yoga is hard to attain even in spite of great efforts by one of unrestrained self, i.e., of unrestrained mind. But the same Yoga which is of the form of sameness of vision can be attained by proper means by one who is striving, whose 'mind is subdued,' i.e., by one whose mind is conered by works (Karma Yoga) taught before, which is of the nature of My worship and which includes within itself knowledge (Jnana). Then Arjuna puts estions in order to hear the greatness of Yoga, as it really is, which he has already heard about at the beginning of the teaching, 'Here there is no loss of effort' (2.40). There the greatness of Karma Yoga as inclusive of knowledge of the self with Yoga as its culmination was taught. This alone is the real greatness of Yoga.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
6.36 Asamyata - etc. In do way whatsoever, is the Yoga attainable for a man with uncontrolled self i.e., for a man without desirelessness. One, with subdued self : one, with an attitude of desirelessness. By him who exerts : by him who has practice. By means : by undertaking the means enjoined in many scriptures of the Siddanta and the rest.
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
6.36 I think Yoga is hard to be attained by one of uncontrolled self, but the self-controlled and striving one can attain to it by the (proper) means.
Commentary

6.36 असंयतात्मना by a man of uncontrolled self? योगः Yoga? दुष्प्रापः hard to attain? इति thus? मे My? मतिः opinion? वश्यात्मना by the selfcontrolled one? तु but? यतता by the striving one? शक्यः possible? अवाप्तुम् to obtain? उपायतः by (proper) means.Commentary Uncontrolled self he who has not controlled the senses and the mind by the constant practice of dispassion and meditation. Selfcontrolled he who has controlled the mind by the constant practice of dispassion and meditation. He can attain Selfrealisation by the right means and constant endeavour.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
6.36 My conviction is that Yoga is difficult to be attained by one of uncontrolled mind. But it is possible to be attained through the (above) means by one who strives and has a controlled mind.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
6.36 It is not possible to attain Self-Realisation if a man does not know how to control himself; but for him who, striving by proper means, learns such control, it is possible.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 2.66 BG 6.35 BG 2.67 SB 11.23.45 SB 11.20.7 SB 11.14.19 CC Madhya 22.107 CC Madhya 22.31 CC Madhya 20.67 Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.24BRS 1.2.187
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
For one whose mind is unbridled, yoga is hard to attain — but for the self-controlled, it is attainable by the right means.
Practical Applications
  • Recognize that mind-control precedes yoga, not follows it.
  • Build the foundation of self-control first.
  • Trust that the right means deliver.
Reflection Questions
  • What basic self-control still needs to be built?
  • What right means am I underusing?
Analogy

An untrained horse cannot win the race; a trained horse, given the right path, almost cannot lose. The verse separates the two clearly. Kṛṣṇa does not promise yoga to anyone who keeps an unbridled mind. He does promise it to anyone who first does the basic bridling and then applies the right means. The promise is conditional, not magical.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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