Stillness reveals the Self.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया |यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ||६-२०||
yatroparamate cittaṃ niruddhaṃ yogasevayā . yatra caivātmanātmānaṃ paśyannātmani tuṣyati ||6-20||
Use this verse when you seek satisfaction outside.
Meaning
When the mind becomes quiet through yoga practice, one sees the Self by the self and becomes satisfied in the Self.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Quiet mind reveals inner satisfaction.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
Meditation calms the mind so that the seeker can experience self-awareness and contentment beyond external dependence.
Read the traditional commentary
This verse begins a flowing sequence (through verse 23) describing the supreme experience of samadhi. When the mind, stilled and restrained through yoga-seva — the steady service of practice — comes to rest, something extraordinary happens: atmana atmanam pashyan, the seeker beholds the Self by the self. The instrument of seeing, the seer, and the seen become one.
And in that seeing he finds atmani tushyati — complete satisfaction within the Self alone. This is contentment that needs nothing from outside, the end of the endless search. The phrase 'seeing the Self by the self' points to a knowing beyond ordinary perception, where the pure consciousness recognizes its own nature directly.
All the disciplined effort of the chapter culminates here, in this self-luminous fulfillment. The restless seeking that drives every life finally comes to rest, not in any object, but in the discovery of what we have always been.
In daily life
Practice quietness instead of always seeking stimulation.
A person may discover deep peace after sitting through initial restlessness.
Try this today
Extend meditation by one minute today.
I find satisfaction in the Self.Reflect
Can I remain long enough for the mind to quiet?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘आत्मनि तुष्यति’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on samadhi, in other chapters
- Verse 2.54 · ArjunaArjuna's question about the sthitaprajna — how such a sage speaks, sits, and walks — opens the Gita's most detailed portrait of a liberated being.
- Verse 3.17True fulfilment is found within the Self, not in external achievement — but until you reach it, meaningful action remains your path.
- Verse 5.24Find your happiness, delight, and guiding light within — that inward self-sufficiency is the very gateway to liberation.
- Verse 13.25There are many authentic paths to the Self — meditation, knowledge, and selfless action all lead home.
Swipe left for 6.21 · Supreme happiness is inward and steady.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 6.20
Who says Bhagavad Gita 6.20, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 6.20, in Chapter 6, Dhyana Yoga (Dhyana Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 6.20 mean?
When the mind becomes quiet through yoga practice, one sees the Self by the self and becomes satisfied in the Self. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 6.20 for daily life?
Practice quietness instead of always seeking stimulation. A person may discover deep peace after sitting through initial restlessness.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 6.20 mean?
यत्र उपरमते चित्तम् — when the mind comes to rest; निरुद्धम् — restrained / stilled; योगसेवया — by the practice of yoga; यत्र च एव — and when; आत्मना आत्मानम् पश्यन् — seeing the Self by the self.
Where does verse 6.20 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 20 of 47 in Chapter 6, Dhyana Yoga. The next verse is 6.21.