Bhagavad Gita 6.36
Spoken by Krishna · Verse 36 of 47
असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः | वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः ||३६||
asaṃyatātmanā yogo duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ | vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo'vāptum upāyataḥ || 36 ||
Yoga is hard for the uncontrolled self — but for the self-controlled one striving by right means, it is attainable.
Word by word (3)
- asaṃyata-ātmanā yogaḥ duṣprāpaḥ iti me matiḥ
- — yoga is hard to attain by one of uncontrolled self — such is my conviction · asaṃyata = uncontrolled, unrestrained (a-saṃyata — the opposite of saṃyata/disciplined). ātmanā = by the self/one (instrumental). yogaḥ duṣprāpaḥ = yoga is hard to attain (duṣprāpa = difficult to reach/obtain). iti me matiḥ = such is my opinion/conviction (me = my; matiḥ = thought, opinion, conviction). Krishna states his personal conviction: the uncontrolled self cannot attain yoga. This is not a moral judgment but a practical assessment — like saying 'a leaky cup cannot hold water.' Without the vessel (self-control), the yoga (water) cannot be held.
- vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyaḥ avāptum upāyataḥ
- — but by the self-controlled one striving by right means, it can be obtained · vaśyātmanā = by the self-controlled one (vaśya = controllable, under control; ātman — so: one whose self is under control). tu = but (the contrast). yatatā = by one who strives, one who puts forth effort. śakyaḥ = possible, capable of (from √śak, to be able). avāptum = to obtain, to attain (gerundive of ava + √āp). upāyataḥ = by right means, through proper methods (upāya = means, method). The qualifier: striving by RIGHT means (upāyataḥ). Not any effort — directed, appropriate effort. This connects to V35's specific remedy (abhyāsa + vairāgya) as the upāya (right means).
- vaśyātmā vs asaṃyatātmā / upāyataḥ (the boundary conditions)
- — controlled self vs uncontrolled self / right means — the three conditions of attainability · V36 sets the boundary conditions for yoga attainment. Two types: (1) asaṃyatātmā (uncontrolled self) — for them, yoga is duṣprāpa (hard to attain). (2) vaśyātmā (controlled self) + yatata (striving) + upāyataḥ (by right means) — for them, it is śakya (possible). The key insight is upāyataḥ (right means): even the self-controlled must use the correct method (V35's abhyāsa-vairāgya, not force or suppression). This closes the loop: V34's diagnosis → V35's remedy → V36's confirmation that the remedy works for those who apply it correctly.
Yoga is hard to reach for one whose self is unruly — so I hold; but for the self-controlled who strive by the right means, it can be won.
A modern analogy
A garden that has not been tended (asaṃyatātmā — the uncontrolled self) is hard to grow vegetables in — weeds dominate, soil is poor, water is wasted. But a tended garden (vaśyātmā — the controlled self) produces abundantly. The move from untended to tended is not a question of soil type — it's a question of consistent work (abhyāsa) applied in the right way (upāyataḥ). Any garden can be tended; any self can be controlled. It takes the method of practice and dispassion applied over time.
What it does NOT mean
This does NOT say that only naturally disciplined people can attain yoga. It says the UNCONTROLLED self finds it difficult — and the way to move from uncontrolled to controlled is precisely the practice and dispassion Krishna just prescribed. The verse describes the condition, not a fixed personality type.
Take with you
- The key qualifier is upāyataḥ (by right means): effort applied through wrong means (force, suppression, the excessive austerity Krishna earlier rejected when he taught to regulate food, sleep, and effort) will not produce attainment even for a disciplined person. Right means — steady practice and dispassion — are required.
- Self-control (vaśyātmā) is the condition, not the prerequisite: the path of practice and dispassion builds self-control progressively. This is not gatekeeping — it's describing the landscape: more self-control → more accessible yoga. Build the self-control through the practice.
- This verse closes the doubt-and-answer unit: Arjuna's worry that there is no stable foundation for yoga, his image of the mind as wind, Krishna's reply of practice plus dispassion, and now the confirmation that right means make it attainable for the self-controlled. The unit is complete: diagnosis → remedy → confirmation.
Public-domain translations (6) compare all →
Yoga is hard to attain by one of uncontrolled self — such is My conviction. But it can be obtained by the self-controlled one striving by right means. [1]
Yoga is hard to be attained by one of uncontrolled self: such is My conviction; but the self-controlled, striving by right means can obtain it. [4]
Yoga is hard to be attained by one whose self is not subdued — that is my view; but he who has the self controlled, striving rightly, can attain it. [5]
I agree with thee that it is most difficult for one with uncontrolled mind; but by right means with a well-governed mind it can be obtained. [6]
Difficult it is, I know, to win for those of unquiet hearts: but those who strive by right means and have subdued their spirits — they shall attain. [7]
Yoga is hard to be achieved by one of uncontrolled self — such is my conviction; but by him who has a self under control, it is achievable through proper means. [9]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
Yes, the mind is restless and hard to restrain — but through abhyāsa and vairāgya, it is governed.
O Krishna — the faithful yogi who fell short of yoga's perfection through wandering mind: what is their destination?
Even the wise act by their nature. All beings follow nature. Forced repression accomplishes nothing.
Greed, restless activity, and longing surge — know that rajas is predominant and karma-saṅga is binding.
Your own mind is your best friend when mastered; your worst enemy when not.
The self-conquered yogi finds the Supreme Self equally present through cold, heat, joy, pain, honour and dishonour.
Verse 36 of 47 · back to Chapter 6