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Bhagavad Gita 17.16

Chapter 17, Verse 16

Part of 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yogश्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग

मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः।भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते॥

Transliteration

manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ bhāva-sanśhuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam uchyate

Meaning

Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, self-control, and purity of nature—this is called mental austerity.

Word-by-word meaning
manaḥ-prasādaḥserenity of thoughtsaumyatvamgentlenessmaunamsilenceātma-vinigrahaḥself-controlbhāva-sanśhuddhiḥpurity of purposeitithusetatthesetapaḥausteritymānasamof the minduchyateare declared as
Commentary

Just as a lake which is without a ripple on it surface is very tranil, so also the mind which is free from modifications, from wandering thoughts of sensual objects, is ite serene and calm. Saumyatvam Intent on the welfare of all beings the state of mind which may be inferred from its effects, such as brightness of the face, etc. Maunam Even silence of speech is necessarily preceded by the control of thought, and so the effect is here used to stand for the cause, viz., the control of thought this is the result of the control of thought so far as it concerns speech, silence of the mind, ability to remain calm even amidst disturbing factors from without. Mauna is the condition of the Muni (sage), i.e., practice of meditation with onepointedness of mind. Atmavinigrahah Selfcontrol A general control of the mind. Asamprajnata Samadhi wherein all the modifications of the mind are controlled. The mind cannot run after the senses and the senses cannot run after their objects. In Mauna there is control of thought so far as it concerns speech. Bhavasamsuddhih Purity of nature Honesty of purpose freedom from cunningness in dealing with other people the pure state of the mind wherein there is absence of lust, anger, greed, etc.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 16?
Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, self-control, and purity of nature—this is called mental austerity.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 16 of Chapter 17 (Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog — Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.