Bhagavad Gītā · Chapter 6, Verse 11
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः।
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्।।
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्।।
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ
nātyucchritaṁ nāti-nīcaṁ cailājina-kuśottaram
also searched as "shuchau deshe pratishthapya sthiram asanam atmanah"
Translation
Having established for himself, in a clean spot, a firm seat that is neither too high nor too low, and covering it with cloth, deer-skin, and Kusa grass in reverse order—
Vāṇi's rendering
In a clean place, set a firm seat — not too high, not too low — of cloth, deerskin, and grass.
Word by word
| Sanskrit & transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|
| शुचौśucau | in a clean, uncluttered |
| देशेdeśe | place, spot |
| प्रतिष्ठाप्यpratiṣṭhāpya | having set up, established |
| स्थिरम्sthiram | firm, unwobbling |
| आसनम्āsanam | a seat |
| आत्मनःātmanaḥ | for oneself, one's own |
| नna | not |
| अत्युच्छ्रितम्aty-ucchritaṁ | too high, raised up (from na + ati-ucchritam) |
| नna | not |
| अतिनीचम्ati-nīcaṁ | too low |
| चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्cailājina-kuśottaram | having cloth, deerskin and kuśa grass laid one above the other (caila + ajina + kuśa + uttaram) |
Frequently asked
What does Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 11 mean?
Krishna tells Arjuna to prepare a place before attempting meditation: a clean spot, a seat that does not wobble, raised neither too high nor too low, layered with grass, skin and cloth. It is practical instruction, not symbolism. Steadiness of mind is asked to begin with steadiness of the body's support.
What does 'shuchau deshe pratishthapya sthiram asanam atmanah' mean?
It means: having established for oneself, in a clean place, a firm seat. Śucau deśe is the swept, undisturbed spot; sthiram āsanam is a seat that will not shift under you. Ātmanaḥ makes it yours — a place you have made, not one you happened to find.
Why does Krishna mention cloth, deerskin and kusha grass?
Kuśa grass on the ground, skin above it, cloth on top — layers that insulate and keep the seat dry and even. The ancient materials matter less than what they achieve: a surface that lets the body be forgotten. Whatever does that for you today serves the same purpose.
Why should the seat be neither too high nor too low?
A high seat flatters and invites unsteadiness; a low one cramps the body and keeps it complaining. Krishna wants neither. The middle position is his constant instruction — in food, in sleep, in effort. Choose the height at which your body stops asking for your attention.
Themes in this verse
Read every verse this way, held — inside Vāṇi.
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Commentary
Krishna is describing furniture. Arjuna has asked how the mind is steadied, and the answer begins with a clean floor, a seat, three layers of grass and skin and cloth. Nothing mystical yet. Not too high, because a seat that elevates you is already a distraction; not too low, because a body in discomfort will talk all through the hour. The middle again — the same middle he will teach for food and sleep. You cannot think your way into stillness while your knees ache and the room is a mess. Prepare the place first. Sit down second.