Bhagavad Gita · Dhyana Yoga (Atma-samyama Yoga)Chapter 6, Shloka 10 (6.10)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः
॥ 6.10 ॥
yogī yuñjīta satatamātmānaṃ rahasi sthitaḥ
ekākī yatacittātmā nirāśīraparigrahaḥ
Translation
"Let the yogi, in solitude, living alone, with mind and body under control, free of craving and possessions, constantly engage himself (in meditation)."
Interpretation
Shankaracharya — a hint of renunciation. Rahasi ekānte giri-guhādau sthitaḥ san ekākī asahāyaḥ — staying in a solitary place such as a mountain cave, without a companion; rahasi sthitaḥ ekākī ca iti viśeṣaṇāt saṃnyāsaṃ kṛtvā ity arthaḥ — "in solitude" and "alone" — by these qualifiers, taking sannyasa is meant. Nirāśīḥ vīta-tṛṣṇaḥ aparigrahaḥ parigraha-rahitaḥ. And further: āsanāhāra-vihārādīnāṃ yoga-sādhanatvena niyamaḥ vaktavyaḥ — now the rules for seat, food and recreation will be stated.
Acharya Ramanuja — a daily time for meditation. Yogī ukta-prakāra-karma-yoga-niṣṭhaḥ — here the yogi = the karma yogi described above; satatam aharahaḥ yoga-kāle — every day, at the time of yoga; ātmānaṃ … sva-darśana-niṣṭhaṃ kurvīta — let one engage in the vision of one's own (self). Rahasi jana-varjite niḥśabde deśe — in a place free of people and free of noise; ekākī tatrāpi na sadvitīyaḥ — even there, not with anyone; nirāśīḥ ātma-vyatirikte kṛtsne vastuni nirapekṣaḥ; aparigrahaḥ … mamatā-rahitaḥ.
The difference (practical): Shankara — solitude and being alone are hints of renunciation; Ramanuja — the karma yogi too should meditate daily, at a fixed time, in solitude. For the householder seeker, Ramanuja's reading opens a direct path.
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.