6.21 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 6, Verse 21

In verse 6.21 of the Bhagavad Gita, the state of samadhi—a condition of the highest yogic absorption—is explored from the standpoint of inner joy and fulfillment. Krishna describes how, in this state, the yogi experiences a happiness so profound and so boundless that it defies all comparisons with ordinary pleasures. This is not the fleeting satisfaction that comes from gratification of the senses, but an infinite bliss that is self-sustained and rooted in the deepest core of one’s being.

This supreme joy is described as “transcendental,” meaning it arises from a domain that is beyond the ordinary realm of sense perception. Our senses are limited and can only provide temporary experiences, but the happiness experienced in samadhi is altogether different. It is grasped not by the five senses but by the purified intellect—that aspect of the mind which can discern higher truths and realities beyond immediate sensory input. In Sanskrit, the verse uses the word buddhi-grahyam atīndriyam, implying a joy that the intellect comprehends, yet is out of reach for the senses.

When a yogi attains this state, he becomes perfectly established in his true essence, or tattva. No external circumstance or inner agitation can move him away from this truth. It is as if he has finally reached the unshakeable bedrock of existence; he resides there with unwavering stability. All desire to seek fulfillment outside oneself naturally fades, because nothing in the world can compare with the bliss discovered within.

Compare it to a river that has finally merged with the ocean. Once it has reached its source, there is no urge to flow elsewhere. The yogi, having touched the depths of his own spiritual being, feels no compulsion to chase after the ever-changing tides of material joy or sorrow. The contentment is so complete that the prospect of loss or gain loses its hold. This is the “infinite joy” the Gita speaks of—a joy that exists independently of circumstances, achievements, or relationships.

This unassailable inner joy confers a kind of immunity from the disturbances and temptations of worldly life. Just as a mountain stands unmoved despite the winds that whip around its peak, the mind of the yogi remains steadfast, no longer caught in the cycle of desire and disappointment. This verse highlights how, at this stage, the mind stops oscillating. The pursuit of pleasure ceases, and restlessness is replaced by an abiding sense of wholeness.

Moreover, the verse subtly indicates that this state is not merely theoretical or the product of wishful thinking—it is something that must be directly experienced. The realization is internal and self-evident; it cannot be given by another, nor can it be fully described by scriptures alone. The yogi recognizes for himself the perennial nature of the joy that comes from union with the true Self.

The capacity to remain established in this inner bliss is not easily shaken, and it stands as the greatest achievement one can aspire to. After reaching this state, the yogi does not feel compelled to search for greater happiness elsewhere, because it is clear that nothing external can surpass the fulfillment he already experiences. The bliss is not only infinite in intensity, but also enduring—unaffected by the ups and downs of the world.

Ultimately, verse 6.21 paints a vivid picture of the culmination of yogic practice: a state in which the highest happiness is attained through inner realization. The yogi’s identity ceases to be tied to the fleeting dance of sensory experiences. Instead, he becomes anchored in an unchanging reality, ever content and at peace, never deviating from the eternal truth he has discovered within himself.