Chapter 12, Verse 9
अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् | अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय ||१२-९||
atha cittaṃ samādhātuṃ na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram . abhyāsayogena tato māmicchāptuṃ dhanañjaya ||12-9||
Meaning
12.9 If thou art unable to fix thy mind steadily on Me, then by the Yoga of constant practice do thou seek to reach Me, O Arjuna.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Krishna takes the first compassionate step down. If you cannot hold the mind steadily upon Me (na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram), do not despair — turn to abhyāsa-yoga, the yoga of repeated, patient practice. The restless mind is not fixed in a moment; it is trained, like a skill, by drawing it back to God again and again until steadiness slowly grows.
The address "Dhanañjaya," winner of wealth, is a quiet encouragement: the one who could conquer kingdoms can also, by persistence, win the inner battle. Here lies a deeply practical teaching — spiritual life is not reserved for those born concentrated, but is built through honest, repeated effort over time.
💡 Key Takeaway
If the mind will not settle on God, train it through patient, repeated practice.
Related Verses
मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय | निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः ||१२-८||
mayyeva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṃ niveśaya . nivasiṣyasi mayyeva ata ūrdhvaṃ na saṃśayaḥ ||12-8||
12.8 Fix thy mind in Me only, thy intellect in Me, (then) thou shalt no doubt live in Me alone hereafter.