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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 16 (17.16)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 16 (17.16)

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः । भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते | | १७-१६ | |

manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ bhāvasaṁśhuddhirityetattapo mānasamuchyate

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • मनः (manah) — मन(mind)
  • prasadah joined in prasādaḥ
  • सौम्यत्वम् (saumyatvam) — सौम्यता(kindness/gentleness)
  • मौनम् (maunam) — मौन(silence)
  • आत्मविनिग्रहः (atma-vinigrahah) — आत्मसंयम(self-control)
Line 2:
  • भावसंशुद्धिः (bhava-sanshuddhih) — भाव की शुद्धि(purity of intent)
  • इति (iti) — ऐसा(thus)
  • एतत् (etat) — है(this)
  • तपः (tapah) — है(discipline)
  • मानसम् (manasam) — मानसिक(of the mind)
  • उच्यते (uchyate) — है(is called)

English: Serenity, kindness, silence, self-control and purity - this is discipline of mind.

💡 Commentary Note

Austerity of the mind consists of serenity, gentleness, silence (mauna), self-mastery, and absolute purity of heart.

Learnings from Shloka 16:
  • Mental Discipline:: Cultivate serenity, gentleness, silence, and self-control to keep the mind steady.
  • Purity of Heart:: A calm and pure mind is the highest sanctuary and the ultimate goal of mental tapas.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 17.16 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary