Path of Meditation
Verse 6.8
ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रियः। युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः।।6.8।।
jñāna-vijñāna-tṛiptātmā kūṭa-stho vijitendriyaḥ yukta ityuchyate yogī sama-loṣhṭāśhma-kāñchanaḥ
Word Meanings
jñāna—knowledge; vijñāna—realized knowledge, wisdom from within; tṛipta ātmā—one fully satisfied; kūṭa-sthaḥ—undisturbed; vijita-indriyaḥ—one who has conquered the senses; yuktaḥ—one who is in constant communion with the Supreme; iti—thus; uchyate—is said; yogī—a yogi; sama—looks equally; loṣhṭra—pebbles; aśhma—stone; kāñchanaḥ—gold
Translation · English
The Yogi who is satisfied with the knowledge and wisdom of the Self, who has conquered the senses, and to whom a clod of earth, a piece of stone, and gold are all the same, is said to have attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna defines the hallmark of a 'Yukta'—a yogi who has achieved the pinnacle of union with the Divine. The distinction between 'Jnana' (theoretical scriptural knowledge) and 'Vijnana' (the realization of that truth through direct experience) is crucial here. A yogi whose soul is saturated by this experiential wisdom becomes 'Kutastha'—unwavering, like an anvil that remains unmoved no matter how many times it is struck. This state represents the integration of inner stillness with external worldly interaction, where the mind is no longer reactive to the pull of the senses.
A true yogi reaches a state of internal equilibrium where the material valuation of a pebble, a stone, and gold dissolves into the singular recognition of the Divine's presence in all things.
Connected Verses
Describes the liberated soul who treats pain and pleasure, earth and gold, with the same centered detachment.
Highlights the devotee who remains unaffected by friend or foe, honor or dishonor, echoing the state of being 'Kutastha'.
Expands on the vision of equality, describing the sage who views the scholar, cow, elephant, dog, and outcaste with the same eye.
Establishes the foundational principle of equanimity (samatvam) as the essence of yoga.
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