धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः ।
योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥
योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे पार्थ समतासे युक्त जिस अव्यभिचारिणी धृतिके द्वारा मनुष्य मन, प्राण और इन्द्रियोंकी क्रियाओंको धारण करता है, वह धृति सात्त्विकी है ॥
English
O Partha, that steadfastness by which one holds steady the functions of mind, life-force, and senses through unwavering yoga is sattvic steadfastness.
What this verse means
True steadfastness is the power to keep the mind, life-force, and senses steady through yoga, without wavering.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen by doubt. Krishna now explains what real firmness looks like: not stubbornness, but the steady holding of mind, breath, and senses through yoga. This verse names the pure form of that inner strength.
Why this verse still matters
You're about to send the message, make the call, or walk into the room, and your body wants to bolt. This verse points to the kind of steadiness that keeps you aligned when nerves, impulses, and distractions all surge at once.
The takeaway
You do not need to be pulled around by every urge. Steadiness itself is a form of strength.
Word-by-word translation
धृत्या (by steadfastness) / यया (by which) / धारयते (one holds steady) / मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः (the activities of mind, life-force, and senses) / योगेन (through yoga) / अव्यभिचारिण्या (unwavering) / धृतिः (steadfastness) / सा (that) / पार्थ (O Partha) / सात्त्विकी (sattvic)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: manas (49 verses), indriya (19 verses)