Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 6 (BG 17.6) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

17.6 कर्षयन्तः torturing? शरीरस्थम् dwelling in the body? भूतग्रामम् all the elements? अचेतसः senseless? माम् Me? च and? एव even? अन्तःशरीरस्थम् who dwells in the body within? तान् them? विद्धि know? आसुरनिश्चयान् to be of demoniac resolves.Commentary Bhutagramam The aggregate of all the elements composing the body.Elements Organs.Mam Me Vaasudeva? the witness of their thoughts and deeds.He who thus tortures Me disregards My teachings entirely.Achetasah Senseless? unintelligent? having no discrimination.

The excessive zeal of a spiritual seeker can only produce physical exhaustion and mental depression. Unintelligent practice undertaken merely in the name of dharma cannot bring about any genuine spiritual development. The majority of seekers misuse their capacities and suffer needlessly. Therefore, Lord Sri Krishna here depicts such unwise practitioners and ridicules their foolish austerities. It is true that the scriptures prescribe physical austerities for a certain period for those who are corpulent or attached to the body. However, it would be erroneous to conclude that austerity alone is the sole means, and that inner development can occur merely through its observance. Austerity must be practiced with discernment, and therefore one should not act in violation of the ordinances of dharma-shastra. Some perform austerities merely for display. Those possessed by vanity and ego are not worthy of true austerity. Similarly, those whose minds are firmly attached to sensual desires and cravings are not mentally fit for the practice of austerity. Even if such people acquire some power as a result of their austerities, they misuse those powers due to the impurity of their inner nature. The accounts of Hiranyakashyap and others described in the Puranas testify to this truth. Thus, those ascetics who practice austerity while disregarding the ordinances of scripture are counted among the demonic order. Such unwise people not only torment their own bodies through severe austerity, but also cause distress to Me, the divine indweller within all. This means that in the hearts of such seekers, the consciousness of the Self cannot manifest in its full glory and beauty. Harsh and painful austerity is a mark of delusion, which is condemned here. Austerity practiced with discernment and restraint is true austerity—not cruel bodily mortification. The Lord continues further.