Path of Meditation
Verse 6.13
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः। संप्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्।।6.13।।
samaṁ kāya-śhiro-grīvaṁ dhārayann achalaṁ sthiraḥ samprekṣhya nāsikāgraṁ svaṁ diśhaśh chānavalokayan
Word Meanings
samam—straight; kāya—body; śhiraḥ—head; grīvam—neck; dhārayan—holding; achalam—unmoving; sthiraḥ—still; samprekṣhya—gazing; nāsika-agram—at the tip of the nose; svam—own; diśhaḥ—directions; cha—and; anavalokayan—not looking
Translation · English
Let him firmly hold his body, head, and neck erect and still, gazing at the tip of his nose without looking around.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna describes the physical posture of a yogi as a mirror of the internal state of consciousness. By mandating that the body, head, and neck remain aligned and motionless, Krishna emphasizes the principle of 'as within, so without.' A scattered, restless mind cannot inhabit a chaotic or slumped physical frame; therefore, the physical structure must be established as a steady vessel for the flow of meditative absorption. This is not merely an exercise in physical discipline, but a profound preparatory step for withdrawing the senses from the external world. Furthermore, the instruction to gaze at the tip of the nose is a technique for controlling the gaze, which inherently controls the wandering mind. By ceasing to scan the directions (the external environment), the seeker effectively shuts down the mind's tendency to project itself into worldly concerns. This state of unmoving stillness creates the necessary quietude for the individual consciousness to turn inward, eventually transcending the physical body to realize the eternal Self. The stillness of the body acts as a anchor, allowing the mind to cease its restless vibrations and settle into the depth of its own being.
Outer physical alignment and stillness are essential foundations that stabilize the mind, turning its restless outward gaze into an inward focus upon the eternal Self.
Connected Verses
This provides the metaphor of a lamp in a windless place, illustrating the ideal result of the stillness achieved through the posture in 6.13.
This verse describes the physical setting and seat, forming the environmental foundation for the posture mentioned in 6.13.
This describes the meditative process of regulating the breath, which works in tandem with the physical posture to quiet the mind.
Krishna defines yoga as equanimity, which is the internal parallel to the physical stillness prescribed here.
Community Insights
(0)Share your understanding of this verse with fellow seekers.
No insights yet. Be the first to share your understanding of this verse.