Dhrityaa yayaa dhaarayate manah-praana-indriya-kriyaah | Yogena avyabhichaarinyaa dhritih saa paartha saattvikee ||33||
Translation
O Partha, that unswerving determination by which, through yoga, one controls the activities of the mind, the life breath, and the senses — that determination is in the mode of goodness.
Word-by-Word Meaning
धृत्या
by determination
यया
by which
धारयते
sustains/holds
मनः
the mind
प्राण
the life breath
इन्द्रिय
the senses
क्रियाः
activities
योगेन
through yoga
अव्यभिचारिण्या
unbreaking/unswerving
धृतिः
determination
सा
that
पार्थ
O Partha
सात्त्विकी
in the mode of goodness
Commentary
Commentary
Determination (dhriti) is the inner power that sustains a person through difficulty, that keeps them on course when distractions and discouragements arise. Sattvic determination is the highest form of this power.
The word avyabhichaarinyaa is key — it means “unswerving, unfailing, unbreaking.” Sattvic determination does not waver. Once a person firmly focused in Krishna consciousness resolves to practice yoga — to bring the mind, prana, and senses under the guidance of the higher self — they do not give up, regardless of obstacles.
The scope of what this determination controls is comprehensive: manah (the mind), praana (the life breath), and indriya-kriyaah (the activities of the senses). The mind is the most restless of all, the senses are constantly pulled toward their objects, and even the breath reflects inner turbulence. Sattvic determination brings all three under steady control.
Yoga here means the practice of focusing the mind, breath, and senses on the Supreme. A person who practices this with unwavering commitment — who is never diverted by any other activity — possesses sattvic determination. The word avyabhichaarinyaa is especially important: it means that in Krishna consciousness, the mind is never deviated by any worldly attraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Bhagavad Gita 18.33 mean?
- O Partha, that unswerving determination by which, through yoga, one controls the activities of the mind, the life breath, and the senses — that determination is in the mode of goodness.
- What is the Sanskrit text of Bhagavad Gita 18.33?
- The original Sanskrit verse is: Dhrityaa yayaa dhaarayate manah-praana-indriya-kriyaah | Yogena avyabhichaarinyaa dhritih saa paartha saattvikee ||33||
- What are the key themes of this verse?
- This verse explores: determination, three modes, goodness, sattva, yoga, self-control.