Introduction
Chapter 2 is where the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita truly begins. Arjuna, who ended Chapter 1 seated in despair, now asks Krishna to guide him as a disciple. Krishna answers with the knowledge of the eternal Self, the duty of action and the qualities of a person of steady wisdom.
Sanjaya narrates the opening verses (2.1, 2.9–2.10). Arjuna speaks in verses 2.4–2.8 and asks his question about steady wisdom in 2.54. Krishna, called Shri Bhagavan in the text, speaks all the other verses. Because it summarises so much of the Gita, this chapter is often called the Gita in brief.
How the chapter unfolds
- Krishna challenges Arjuna's despair (2.1–2.3)
Krishna calls Arjuna's grief a weakness of heart and urges him to rise.
- Arjuna becomes a disciple (2.4–2.10)
Arjuna explains his dilemma, surrenders to Krishna as a student and then falls silent.
- The eternal Self (2.11–2.30)
Krishna teaches that the Self is unborn, undying and untouched by weapons, fire, water or wind; the body changes like clothing.
- Duty as a warrior (2.31–2.38)
Krishna turns to Arjuna's svadharma, the consequences of withdrawing, and acting with equanimity.
- The yoga of action (2.39–2.53)
Krishna introduces karma yoga: act without attachment to results, with an even mind and a resolute understanding.
- The person of steady wisdom (2.54–2.72)
In answer to Arjuna's question, Krishna describes the sthitaprajna, who has mastered the senses and lives in peace.
Sanskrit text follows the widely used Gita Press / IIT Kanpur Gita Supersite recension. The Hindi and English meanings and explanations are explanatory renderings prepared for this site, not the only authoritative interpretation.
The verses
Verse 2.1 Sanjaya
तं तथा कृपयाऽविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम्। विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः ॥
taṃ tathā kṛpayā'viṣṭamaśrupūrṇākulekṣaṇam | viṣīdantamidaṃ vākyamuvāca madhusūdanaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- संजय ने कहा — इस प्रकार करुणा से व्याप्त, आँसुओं से भरे व्याकुल नेत्रों वाले और शोक करते हुए अर्जुन से मधुसूदन ने यह वचन कहा।
- English meaning
- Sanjaya said: To Arjuna, thus overcome with pity, his eyes filled with tears and troubled, and sinking in grief, Madhusudana spoke these words.
- Explanation
- Sanjaya picks up where Chapter 1 ended. Arjuna's grief is visible; Krishna now begins to speak.
Verse 2.2 Krishna
श्री भगवानुवाच कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम्। अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन ॥
śrī bhagavānuvāca kutastvā kaśmalamidaṃ viṣame samupasthitam | anāryajuṣṭamasvargyamakīrtikaramarjuna ||
- Hindi meaning
- श्रीभगवान ने कहा — हे अर्जुन! इस विषम समय में यह मोह तुम्हें कहाँ से प्राप्त हुआ? यह न श्रेष्ठ पुरुषों द्वारा आचरित है, न स्वर्ग देने वाला है और न कीर्ति देने वाला।
- English meaning
- The Blessed Lord said: O Arjuna, from where has this weakness come upon you at this critical hour? It is not befitting the noble, it leads neither to heaven nor to honour.
- Explanation
- Krishna's first words are a firm challenge rather than consolation, calling Arjuna back to clarity.
Verse 2.3 Krishna
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते। क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ॥
klaibyaṃ mā sma gamaḥ pārtha naitattvayyupapadyate | kṣudraṃ hṛdayadaurbalyaṃ tyaktvottiṣṭha parantapa ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे पार्थ! नपुंसकता (कायरता) को प्राप्त मत हो, यह तुम्हें शोभा नहीं देती। हे परन्तप! हृदय की इस तुच्छ दुर्बलता को त्यागकर उठ खड़े हो।
- English meaning
- Do not yield to unmanliness, O Partha; it does not become you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and arise, O scorcher of foes.
- Explanation
- Krishna names the problem as weakness of heart, not a lack of ability, and urges Arjuna to stand up.
Verse 2.4 Arjuna
कथं भीष्ममहं संख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन। इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ॥
kathaṃ bhīṣmamahaṃ saṃkhye droṇaṃ ca madhusūdana | iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāvarisūdana ||
- Hindi meaning
- अर्जुन ने कहा — हे मधुसूदन! मैं युद्ध में भीष्म और द्रोण के विरुद्ध बाणों से कैसे लड़ूँगा? हे अरिसूदन! वे दोनों तो पूजनीय हैं।
- English meaning
- Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, how can I fight Bhishma and Drona with arrows in battle? They are worthy of worship, O destroyer of enemies.
- Explanation
- Arjuna explains his reluctance: these are elders he reveres.
Verse 2.5 Arjuna
गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान् श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके। हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव भुञ्जीय भोगान् रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ॥
gurūnahatvā hi mahānubhāvān śreyo bhoktuṃ bhaikṣyamapīha loke | hatvārthakāmāṃstu gurūnihaiva bhuñjīya bhogān rudhirapradigdhān ||
- Hindi meaning
- महानुभाव गुरुजनों को न मारकर इस लोक में भिक्षा का अन्न खाना भी श्रेष्ठ है; क्योंकि गुरुजनों को मारकर तो मैं यहीं रक्त से सने हुए अर्थ और काम रूप भोगों को ही भोगूँगा।
- English meaning
- It is better to live in this world even by begging than to slay these honoured teachers. By killing them, I would enjoy only pleasures stained with blood.
- Explanation
- Arjuna would rather renounce his role than gain a kingdom through the death of his teachers.
Verse 2.6 Arjuna
न चैतद्विद्मः कतरन्नो गरीयो यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयुः। यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषाम स्तेऽवस्थिताः प्रमुखे धार्तराष्ट्राः ॥
na caitadvidmaḥ kataranno garīyo yadvā jayema yadi vā no jayeyuḥ | yāneva hatvā na jijīviṣāma ste'vasthitāḥ pramukhe dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हम यह भी नहीं जानते कि हमारे लिए क्या श्रेष्ठ है — हम उन्हें जीतें या वे हमें जीतें। जिन्हें मारकर हम जीना भी नहीं चाहते, वे ही धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्र हमारे सामने खड़े हैं।
- English meaning
- Nor do we know which is better for us, that we should conquer them or that they should conquer us. The sons of Dhritarashtra, after slaying whom we would not wish to live, stand before us.
- Explanation
- Arjuna admits he no longer knows what is right; both victory and defeat seem empty.
Verse 2.7 Arjuna
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसंमूढचेताः। यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥
kārpaṇyadoṣopahatasvabhāvaḥ pṛcchāmi tvāṃ dharmasaṃmūḍhacetāḥ | yacchreyaḥ syānniścitaṃ brūhi tanme śiṣyaste'haṃ śādhi māṃ tvāṃ prapannam ||
- Hindi meaning
- कायरता रूपी दोष से मेरा स्वभाव दब गया है और धर्म के विषय में मेरा चित्त मोहित है। जो निश्चित रूप से कल्याणकारी हो, वह मुझे बताइए। मैं आपका शिष्य हूँ, आपकी शरण में आए हुए मुझे शिक्षा दीजिए।
- English meaning
- My nature is overpowered by faint-heartedness and my mind is confused about dharma. I ask you: tell me decisively what is good for me. I am your disciple; instruct me, who has taken refuge in you.
- Explanation
- A turning point: Arjuna becomes a disciple and asks for teaching. The Gita's dialogue truly begins here.
Verse 2.8 Arjuna
न हि प्रपश्यामि ममापनुद्या द्यच्छोकमुच्छोषणमिन्द्रियाणाम्। अवाप्य भूमावसपत्नमृद्धम् राज्यं सुराणामपि चाधिपत्यम् ॥
na hi prapaśyāmi mamāpanudyā dyacchokamucchoṣaṇamindriyāṇām | avāpya bhūmāvasapatnamṛddham rājyaṃ surāṇāmapi cādhipatyam ||
- Hindi meaning
- पृथ्वी पर निष्कण्टक समृद्ध राज्य और देवताओं का आधिपत्य पाकर भी मैं ऐसा कोई उपाय नहीं देखता जो इन्द्रियों को सुखा देने वाले मेरे इस शोक को दूर कर सके।
- English meaning
- I do not see what could remove this grief that dries up my senses, even if I were to gain an unrivalled, prosperous kingdom on earth or lordship over the gods.
- Explanation
- Arjuna recognises that no outer gain can heal his inner sorrow.
Verse 2.9 Sanjaya
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेशः परन्तप। न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह ॥
evamuktvā hṛṣīkeśaṃ guḍākeśaḥ parantapa | na yotsya iti govindamuktvā tūṣṇīṃ babhūva ha ||
- Hindi meaning
- संजय ने कहा — हे राजन्! निद्रा को जीतने वाले अर्जुन ने अन्तर्यामी श्रीकृष्ण से ऐसा कहकर, "मैं युद्ध नहीं करूँगा" — यह स्पष्ट कहकर मौन हो गया।
- English meaning
- Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Hrishikesha, Gudakesha, the scorcher of foes, said to Govinda, "I will not fight," and fell silent.
- Explanation
- Sanjaya reports Arjuna's final refusal and his silence.
Verse 2.10 Sanjaya
तमुवाच हृषीकेशः प्रहसन्निव भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये विषीदन्तमिदं वचः ॥
tamuvāca hṛṣīkeśaḥ prahasanniva bhārata | senayorubhayormadhye viṣīdantamidaṃ vacaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे भरतवंशी! तब दोनों सेनाओं के बीच शोक करते हुए अर्जुन से हृषीकेश ने मानो मुसकराते हुए यह वचन कहा।
- English meaning
- O Bharata, then Hrishikesha, as if smiling, spoke these words to the grieving Arjuna in the midst of the two armies.
- Explanation
- Krishna's gentle smile signals calm amid crisis; his teaching begins in the very centre of the battlefield.
Verse 2.11 Krishna
श्री भगवानुवाच अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे। गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः ॥
śrī bhagavānuvāca aśocyānanvaśocastvaṃ prajñāvādāṃśca bhāṣase | gatāsūnagatāsūṃśca nānuśocanti paṇḍitāḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- श्रीभगवान ने कहा — तुम उनके लिए शोक करते हो जो शोक के योग्य नहीं हैं, और पण्डितों जैसी बातें करते हो। ज्ञानी जन न मरे हुओं के लिए शोक करते हैं, न जीवितों के लिए।
- English meaning
- The Blessed Lord said: You grieve for those who should not be grieved for, yet you speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the dead nor for the living.
- Explanation
- Krishna's teaching opens with the nature of the Self, which is the foundation for all that follows.
Verse 2.12 Krishna
न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः। न चैव न भविष्यामः सर्वे वयमतः परम् ॥
na tvevāhaṃ jātu nāsaṃ na tvaṃ neme janādhipāḥ | na caiva na bhaviṣyāmaḥ sarve vayamataḥ param ||
- Hindi meaning
- ऐसा कभी नहीं था कि मैं नहीं था, या तुम नहीं थे, या ये राजा नहीं थे; और न ऐसा होगा कि आगे हम सब नहीं रहेंगे।
- English meaning
- Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor these kings; nor will there ever be a time hereafter when we shall cease to be.
- Explanation
- The Self is presented as eternal, existing before and after this present life.
Verse 2.13 Krishna
देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा। तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति ॥
dehino'sminyathā dehe kaumāraṃ yauvanaṃ jarā | tathā dehāntaraprāptirdhīrastatra na muhyati ||
- Hindi meaning
- जैसे देहधारी जीवात्मा के इस शरीर में बालपन, जवानी और बुढ़ापा होते हैं, वैसे ही दूसरे शरीर की प्राप्ति होती है; धीर पुरुष इसमें मोहित नहीं होता।
- English meaning
- Just as the embodied Self passes through childhood, youth and old age in this body, so it passes into another body. The steady one is not deluded by this.
- Explanation
- Change of body at death is compared to the natural changes of a single lifetime.
Verse 2.14 Krishna
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः। आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ॥
mātrāsparśāstu kaunteya śītoṣṇasukhaduḥkhadāḥ | āgamāpāyino'nityāstāṃstitikṣasva bhārata ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे कुन्तीपुत्र! इन्द्रियों और विषयों के संयोग से सर्दी-गर्मी और सुख-दुःख उत्पन्न होते हैं। ये आने-जाने वाले और अनित्य हैं; हे भारत, इन्हें सहन करो।
- English meaning
- O son of Kunti, contact of the senses with their objects gives rise to cold and heat, pleasure and pain. They come and go and are impermanent; endure them patiently, O Bharata.
- Explanation
- Krishna teaches forbearance (titiksha): passing experiences need not shake us.
Verse 2.15 Krishna
यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ। समदुःखसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते ॥
yaṃ hi na vyathayantyete puruṣaṃ puruṣarṣabha | samaduḥkhasukhaṃ dhīraṃ so'mṛtatvāya kalpate ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे पुरुषश्रेष्ठ! सुख-दुःख में समान रहने वाले जिस धीर पुरुष को ये व्याकुल नहीं करते, वह अमृतत्व (मोक्ष) के योग्य होता है।
- English meaning
- O best among men, the steady person who is not disturbed by these, who remains the same in pleasure and pain, becomes fit for immortality.
- Explanation
- Equanimity is presented as the path to freedom.
Verse 2.16 Krishna
नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः। उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः ॥
nāsato vidyate bhāvo nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ | ubhayorapi dṛṣṭo'ntastvanayostattvadarśibhiḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- असत् का अस्तित्व नहीं है और सत् का अभाव नहीं है। तत्त्वदर्शी पुरुषों ने इन दोनों का ही निष्कर्ष देखा है।
- English meaning
- The unreal has no being; the real never ceases to be. The truth about both has been seen by the seers of reality.
- Explanation
- A key philosophical verse distinguishing the changing (asat) from the unchanging reality (sat).
Verse 2.17 Krishna
अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम्। विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित् कर्तुमर्हति ॥
avināśi tu tadviddhi yena sarvamidaṃ tatam | vināśamavyayasyāsya na kaścit kartumarhati ||
- Hindi meaning
- जिससे यह सम्पूर्ण जगत् व्याप्त है, उसे तुम अविनाशी जानो। इस अविनाशी का विनाश करने में कोई भी समर्थ नहीं है।
- English meaning
- Know that to be indestructible by which all this is pervaded. No one can bring about the destruction of this imperishable reality.
- Explanation
- The all-pervading Self cannot be destroyed by any action.
Verse 2.18 Krishna
अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः। अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य तस्माद्युध्यस्व भारत ॥
antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ | anāśino'prameyasya tasmādyudhyasva bhārata ||
- Hindi meaning
- इस नित्य, अविनाशी और अप्रमेय देहधारी आत्मा के ये शरीर नाशवान कहे गए हैं; इसलिए हे भारत, तुम युद्ध करो।
- English meaning
- These bodies of the eternal, indestructible and immeasurable embodied Self are said to have an end. Therefore fight, O Bharata.
- Explanation
- Krishna links the philosophy back to Arjuna's immediate duty.
Verse 2.19 Krishna
य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम्। उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते ॥
ya enaṃ vetti hantāraṃ yaścainaṃ manyate hatam | ubhau tau na vijānīto nāyaṃ hanti na hanyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- जो इस आत्मा को मारने वाला मानता है और जो इसे मारा गया मानता है, वे दोनों ही नहीं जानते; यह न मारता है और न मारा जाता है।
- English meaning
- One who thinks the Self is a slayer, and one who thinks it is slain, both fail to understand. It neither slays nor is slain.
- Explanation
- The Self is beyond the roles of doer and victim that belong to the body.
Verse 2.20 Krishna
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि न्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः। अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥
na jāyate mriyate vā kadāci nnāyaṃ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ | ajo nityaḥ śāśvato'yaṃ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre ||
- Hindi meaning
- यह आत्मा न कभी जन्मता है, न मरता है; न यह होकर फिर न होने वाला है। यह अजन्मा, नित्य, शाश्वत और पुरातन है; शरीर के मारे जाने पर भी यह नहीं मारा जाता।
- English meaning
- The Self is never born and never dies; having come into being, it does not cease to be. Unborn, eternal, everlasting and ancient, it is not slain when the body is slain.
- Explanation
- One of the Gita's best-known descriptions of the Self, echoing the Katha Upanishad.
Verse 2.21 Krishna
वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम्। कथं स पुरुषः पार्थ कं घातयति हन्ति कम् ॥
vedāvināśinaṃ nityaṃ ya enamajamavyayam | kathaṃ sa puruṣaḥ pārtha kaṃ ghātayati hanti kam ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे पार्थ! जो पुरुष इस आत्मा को अविनाशी, नित्य, अजन्मा और अव्यय जानता है, वह कैसे किसी को मरवाता है और कैसे किसी को मारता है?
- English meaning
- O Partha, how can a person who knows the Self to be indestructible, eternal, unborn and unchanging cause anyone to be slain, or slay anyone?
- Explanation
- Right understanding changes how one sees action and its consequences.
Verse 2.22 Krishna
वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि। तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही ॥
vāsāṃsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya navāni gṛhṇāti naro'parāṇi | tathā śarīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇā nyanyāni saṃyāti navāni dehī ||
- Hindi meaning
- जैसे मनुष्य पुराने वस्त्रों को त्यागकर दूसरे नए वस्त्र ग्रहण करता है, वैसे ही देहधारी आत्मा पुराने शरीरों को त्यागकर दूसरे नए शरीरों को प्राप्त होता है।
- English meaning
- Just as a person casts off worn-out clothes and puts on new ones, so the embodied Self casts off worn-out bodies and enters others that are new.
- Explanation
- A famous image: the body is like a garment the Self wears and changes.
Verse 2.23 Krishna
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः। न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ॥
nainaṃ chindanti śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvakaḥ | na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati mārutaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- इस आत्मा को शस्त्र नहीं काट सकते, अग्नि नहीं जला सकती, जल नहीं गला सकता और वायु नहीं सुखा सकती।
- English meaning
- Weapons do not cut it, fire does not burn it, water does not wet it, and wind does not dry it.
- Explanation
- The Self is untouched by the elements that affect physical things.
Verse 2.24 Krishna
अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च। नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातनः ॥
acchedyo'yamadāhyo'yamakledyo'śoṣya eva ca | nityaḥ sarvagataḥ sthāṇuracalo'yaṃ sanātanaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- यह आत्मा न कटने वाला, न जलने वाला, न गलने वाला और न सूखने वाला है। यह नित्य, सर्वव्यापी, स्थिर, अचल और सनातन है।
- English meaning
- It cannot be cut, burned, wetted or dried. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable and everlasting.
- Explanation
- Krishna repeats and extends the description to deepen Arjuna's understanding.
Verse 2.25 Krishna
अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयमविकार्योऽयमुच्यते। तस्मादेवं विदित्वैनं नानुशोचितुमर्हसि ॥
avyakto'yamacintyo'yamavikāryo'yamucyate | tasmādevaṃ viditvainaṃ nānuśocitumarhasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- यह आत्मा अव्यक्त, अचिन्त्य और विकाररहित कहा जाता है। इसलिए इसे ऐसा जानकर तुम्हें शोक नहीं करना चाहिए।
- English meaning
- It is said to be unmanifest, unthinkable and unchanging. Knowing it to be so, you should not grieve.
- Explanation
- The Self cannot be perceived or fully conceived by the mind, yet it can be known as one's true nature.
Verse 2.26 Krishna
अथ चैनं नित्यजातं नित्यं वा मन्यसे मृतम्। तथापि त्वं महाबाहो नैवं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥
atha cainaṃ nityajātaṃ nityaṃ vā manyase mṛtam | tathāpi tvaṃ mahābāho naivaṃ śocitumarhasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- और यदि तुम इसे सदा जन्म लेने वाला और सदा मरने वाला मानो, तो भी हे महाबाहो! तुम्हें इस प्रकार शोक नहीं करना चाहिए।
- English meaning
- Even if you think of it as constantly born and constantly dying, O mighty-armed, you still should not grieve.
- Explanation
- Krishna now argues from Arjuna's own possible view: even then, grief is not justified.
Verse 2.27 Krishna
जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च। तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥
jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyurdhruvaṃ janma mṛtasya ca | tasmādaparihārye'rthe na tvaṃ śocitumarhasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- क्योंकि जन्मे हुए की मृत्यु निश्चित है और मरे हुए का जन्म निश्चित है; इसलिए इस अनिवार्य विषय में तुम्हें शोक नहीं करना चाहिए।
- English meaning
- For death is certain for one who is born, and birth is certain for one who has died. Therefore you should not grieve over what is unavoidable.
- Explanation
- An appeal to the natural cycle of life and death.
Verse 2.28 Krishna
अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत। अव्यक्तनिधनान्येव तत्र का परिदेवना ॥
avyaktādīni bhūtāni vyaktamadhyāni bhārata | avyaktanidhanānyeva tatra kā paridevanā ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे भारत! सभी प्राणी जन्म से पहले अव्यक्त थे, मृत्यु के बाद भी अव्यक्त हो जाएँगे, केवल बीच में ही व्यक्त हैं; फिर इसमें शोक क्या?
- English meaning
- Beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their middle state, and unmanifest again in their end, O Bharata. What is there to lament?
- Explanation
- Our visible life is a short, manifest interval between two unseen states.
Verse 2.29 Krishna
आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेन माश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः। आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः शृणोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित् ॥
āścaryavatpaśyati kaścidena māścaryavadvadati tathaiva cānyaḥ | āścaryavaccainamanyaḥ śṛṇoti śrutvāpyenaṃ veda na caiva kaścit ||
- Hindi meaning
- कोई इस आत्मा को आश्चर्य की भाँति देखता है, कोई आश्चर्य की भाँति कहता है, कोई आश्चर्य की भाँति सुनता है; और सुनकर भी कोई इसे नहीं जानता।
- English meaning
- Some see the Self as a wonder, some speak of it as a wonder, others hear of it as a wonder; yet even after hearing, no one truly knows it.
- Explanation
- The Self is mysterious; mere hearing about it is not the same as realising it.
Verse 2.30 Krishna
देही नित्यमवध्योऽयं देहे सर्वस्य भारत। तस्मात्सर्वाणि भूतानि न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥
dehī nityamavadhyo'yaṃ dehe sarvasya bhārata | tasmātsarvāṇi bhūtāni na tvaṃ śocitumarhasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे भारत! सबके शरीर में स्थित यह आत्मा सदा अवध्य है; इसलिए तुम्हें किसी भी प्राणी के लिए शोक नहीं करना चाहिए।
- English meaning
- The Self dwelling in the body of every being is eternally beyond harm, O Bharata. Therefore you should not grieve for any creature.
- Explanation
- This verse concludes the teaching on the Self that began at 2.11.
Verse 2.31 Krishna
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि। धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ॥
svadharmamapi cāvekṣya na vikampitumarhasi | dharmyāddhi yuddhācchreyo'nyatkṣatriyasya na vidyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- अपने स्वधर्म को देखकर भी तुम्हें विचलित नहीं होना चाहिए, क्योंकि क्षत्रिय के लिए धर्मयुक्त युद्ध से बढ़कर कोई कल्याणकारी कर्तव्य नहीं है।
- English meaning
- Considering your own dharma, too, you should not waver; for a warrior there is nothing better than a righteous battle.
- Explanation
- Krishna now turns to Arjuna's duty (svadharma) as a kshatriya.
Verse 2.32 Krishna
यदृच्छया चोपपन्नं स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम्। सुखिनः क्षत्रियाः पार्थ लभन्ते युद्धमीदृशम् ॥
yadṛcchayā copapannaṃ svargadvāramapāvṛtam | sukhinaḥ kṣatriyāḥ pārtha labhante yuddhamīdṛśam ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे पार्थ! अपने-आप प्राप्त हुए और स्वर्ग के खुले द्वार रूप ऐसे युद्ध को भाग्यशाली क्षत्रिय ही पाते हैं।
- English meaning
- Happy are the warriors, O Partha, who meet such a battle, come of its own accord, like an open door to heaven.
- Explanation
- From the warrior's traditional viewpoint, a just war is an opportunity to fulfil dharma.
Verse 2.33 Krishna
अथ चेत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि। ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥
atha cettvamimaṃ dharmyaṃ saṃgrāmaṃ na kariṣyasi | tataḥ svadharmaṃ kīrtiṃ ca hitvā pāpamavāpsyasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- और यदि तुम यह धर्मयुक्त युद्ध नहीं करोगे, तो स्वधर्म और कीर्ति को खोकर पाप को प्राप्त होगे।
- English meaning
- But if you do not fight this righteous war, you will abandon your duty and honour, and incur sin.
- Explanation
- Abandoning one's duty is itself presented as wrongdoing.
Verse 2.34 Krishna
अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम्। संभावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते ॥
akīrtiṃ cāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣyanti te'vyayām | saṃbhāvitasya cākīrtirmaraṇādatiricyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- और सब लोग तुम्हारी बहुत समय तक रहने वाली अपकीर्ति का कथन करेंगे; और सम्मानित पुरुष के लिए अपकीर्ति मृत्यु से भी बढ़कर है।
- English meaning
- People will speak of your lasting dishonour, and for one who has been honoured, dishonour is worse than death.
- Explanation
- Krishna appeals to Arjuna's reputation and self-respect.
Verse 2.35 Krishna
भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः। येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम् ॥
bhayādraṇāduparataṃ maṃsyante tvāṃ mahārathāḥ | yeṣāṃ ca tvaṃ bahumato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam ||
- Hindi meaning
- महारथी लोग तुम्हें भय के कारण युद्ध से हटा हुआ मानेंगे; और जिनकी दृष्टि में तुम बहुत सम्मानित हो, उनकी दृष्टि में तुम छोटे हो जाओगे।
- English meaning
- The great chariot-warriors will think you withdrew from battle out of fear, and those who held you in high esteem will think little of you.
- Explanation
- Others would misread Arjuna's compassion as cowardice.
Verse 2.36 Krishna
अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून् वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः। निन्दन्तस्तव सामर्थ्यं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम् ॥
avācyavādāṃśca bahūn vadiṣyanti tavāhitāḥ | nindantastava sāmarthyaṃ tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim ||
- Hindi meaning
- तुम्हारे शत्रु तुम्हारी सामर्थ्य की निन्दा करते हुए बहुत-सी न कहने योग्य बातें कहेंगे; इससे बढ़कर दुःख और क्या होगा?
- English meaning
- Your enemies will speak many unspeakable words, mocking your strength. What could be more painful than that?
- Explanation
- The practical consequences of withdrawal are made vivid.
Verse 2.37 Krishna
हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्। तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः ॥
hato vā prāpsyasi svargaṃ jitvā vā bhokṣyase mahīm | tasmāduttiṣṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- यदि तुम मारे गए तो स्वर्ग प्राप्त करोगे, और जीत गए तो पृथ्वी का राज्य भोगोगे। इसलिए हे कौन्तेय! युद्ध का निश्चय करके उठो।
- English meaning
- If you are slain, you will attain heaven; if you are victorious, you will enjoy the earth. Therefore arise, O son of Kunti, resolved to fight.
- Explanation
- Either outcome is acceptable when one does one's duty.
Verse 2.38 Krishna
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ। ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥
sukhaduḥkhe same kṛtvā lābhālābhau jayājayau | tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṃ pāpamavāpsyasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- सुख-दुःख, लाभ-हानि और जय-पराजय को समान समझकर युद्ध के लिए तैयार हो जाओ; इस प्रकार तुम पाप को प्राप्त नहीं होगे।
- English meaning
- Treating alike pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat, engage in battle. Thus you will not incur sin.
- Explanation
- The idea of equanimity in action is introduced, preparing for karma yoga.
Verse 2.39 Krishna
एषा तेऽभिहिता सांख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु। बुद्ध्यायुक्तो यया पार्थ कर्मबन्धं प्रहास्यसि ॥
eṣā te'bhihitā sāṃkhye buddhiryoge tvimāṃ śṛṇu | buddhyāyukto yayā pārtha karmabandhaṃ prahāsyasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे पार्थ! यह बुद्धि तुम्हें सांख्य (ज्ञान) के विषय में कही गई, अब इसे योग के विषय में सुनो, जिस बुद्धि से युक्त होकर तुम कर्मों के बन्धन को त्याग दोगे।
- English meaning
- This wisdom has been taught to you in terms of Sankhya; now hear it in terms of Yoga. Endowed with this understanding, O Partha, you will cast off the bondage of action.
- Explanation
- A transition: from knowledge of the Self (Sankhya) to the discipline of action (Yoga).
Verse 2.40 Krishna
नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते। स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥
nehābhikramanāśo'sti pratyavāyo na vidyate | svalpamapyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt ||
- Hindi meaning
- इस कर्मयोग में आरम्भ का नाश नहीं होता और उलटा फल (दोष) भी नहीं होता। इस धर्म का थोड़ा-सा भी आचरण महान भय से रक्षा करता है।
- English meaning
- In this path no effort is lost and no adverse result arises. Even a little of this dharma protects one from great fear.
- Explanation
- Every sincere step on this path has lasting value.
Verse 2.41 Krishna
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन। बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम् ॥
vyavasāyātmikā buddhirekeha kurunandana | bahuśākhā hyanantāśca buddhayo'vyavasāyinām ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे कुरुनन्दन! इस मार्ग में निश्चयात्मक बुद्धि एक ही होती है, किन्तु अस्थिर विचार वाले लोगों की बुद्धियाँ बहुत शाखाओं वाली और अनन्त होती हैं।
- English meaning
- Here, O joy of the Kurus, the resolute understanding is single-pointed; but the thoughts of the irresolute are many-branched and endless.
- Explanation
- Clarity of purpose is contrasted with a scattered, restless mind.
Verse 2.42 Krishna
यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः। वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ॥
yāmimāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācaṃ pravadantyavipaścitaḥ | vedavādaratāḥ pārtha nānyadastīti vādinaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे पार्थ! जो अविवेकी लोग वेदों के कर्मकाण्ड-सम्बन्धी वचनों में ही रमे रहते हैं और कहते हैं कि इसके अतिरिक्त कुछ नहीं है, वे दिखावटी (पुष्पित) वाणी बोलते हैं।
- English meaning
- O Partha, the unwise speak flowery words, delighting in the letter of the Vedas and declaring that there is nothing else.
- Explanation
- Krishna cautions against treating ritual reward as life's highest goal. This verse continues into the next two.
Verse 2.43 Krishna
कामात्मानः स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम्। क्रियाविशेषबहुलां भोगैश्वर्यगतिं प्रति ॥
kāmātmānaḥ svargaparā janmakarmaphalapradām | kriyāviśeṣabahulāṃ bhogaiśvaryagatiṃ prati ||
- Hindi meaning
- वे कामनाओं से भरे हुए, स्वर्ग को ही परम लक्ष्य मानने वाले, भोग और ऐश्वर्य की प्राप्ति के लिए अनेक क्रियाओं का वर्णन करने वाली और जन्म-रूप कर्मफल देने वाली वाणी कहते हैं।
- English meaning
- Full of desires and intent on heaven, they speak of many special rites aimed at pleasure and power, which result in rebirth as the fruit of action.
- Explanation
- The focus on enjoyment keeps one bound to the cycle of action and result.
Verse 2.44 Krishna
भोगैश्वर्यप्रसक्तानां तयापहृतचेतसाम्। व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिः समाधौ न विधीयते ॥
bhogaiśvaryaprasaktānāṃ tayāpahṛtacetasām | vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ samādhau na vidhīyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- भोग और ऐश्वर्य में आसक्त, उस वाणी से हरे हुए चित्त वाले लोगों की बुद्धि समाधि में निश्चयात्मक नहीं होती।
- English meaning
- For those attached to pleasure and power, whose minds are carried away by such words, resolute understanding is not established in meditation.
- Explanation
- Attachment to enjoyment prevents the mind from settling.
Verse 2.45 Krishna
त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन। निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ॥
traiguṇyaviṣayā vedā nistraiguṇyo bhavārjuna | nirdvandvo nityasattvastho niryogakṣema ātmavān ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे अर्जुन! वेद तीनों गुणों के कार्य का वर्णन करते हैं; तुम तीनों गुणों से ऊपर उठो, द्वन्द्वों से रहित, नित्य सत्त्व में स्थित, योग-क्षेम की चिन्ता से रहित और आत्मवान बनो।
- English meaning
- The Vedas deal with the three gunas; rise above the three gunas, O Arjuna. Be free from the pairs of opposites, ever established in purity, free from thoughts of acquiring and keeping, and centred in the Self.
- Explanation
- Krishna points beyond the realm of the gunas (qualities of nature) to the Self.
Verse 2.46 Krishna
यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः संप्लुतोदके। तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ॥
yāvānartha udapāne sarvataḥ saṃplutodake | tāvānsarveṣu vedeṣu brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- सब ओर से भरे हुए जलाशय के मिल जाने पर छोटे जलाशय का जितना प्रयोजन रह जाता है, ब्रह्म को जानने वाले ब्राह्मण का सभी वेदों में उतना ही प्रयोजन रह जाता है।
- English meaning
- As much use as there is in a small well when there is a flood of water on all sides, so much is there in all the Vedas for one who knows the truth.
- Explanation
- For one who has realised the Self, the goals of ritual are already contained within that realisation.
Verse 2.47 Krishna
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥
karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana | mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo'stvakarmaṇi ||
- Hindi meaning
- तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, उसके फलों में कभी नहीं। तुम कर्मफल के कारण मत बनो, और कर्म न करने में भी तुम्हारी आसक्ति न हो।
- English meaning
- Your right is to action alone, never to its fruits. Do not let the fruits of action be your motive, nor let yourself be attached to inaction.
- Explanation
- Perhaps the most quoted verse of the Gita: act fully, without being driven by the outcome, and without withdrawing from action.
Verse 2.48 Krishna
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय। सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ॥
yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya | siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे धनंजय! योग में स्थित होकर, आसक्ति को त्यागकर तथा सिद्धि और असिद्धि में समान होकर कर्म करो; यह समत्व ही योग कहलाता है।
- English meaning
- Established in yoga, O Dhananjaya, perform actions, abandoning attachment and remaining even-minded in success and failure. Evenness of mind is called yoga.
- Explanation
- Yoga is defined here as equanimity (samatva).
Verse 2.49 Krishna
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय। बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥
dūreṇa hyavaraṃ karma buddhiyogāddhanañjaya | buddhau śaraṇamanviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phalahetavaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे धनंजय! बुद्धियोग की तुलना में सकाम कर्म अत्यन्त निम्न श्रेणी का है; इसलिए तुम बुद्धि की शरण लो। फल की इच्छा करने वाले दीन हैं।
- English meaning
- Action done for its rewards is far inferior to the yoga of understanding, O Dhananjaya. Seek refuge in this understanding; pitiable are those whose motive is the fruit.
- Explanation
- Acting from wise understanding is better than acting for gain.
Verse 2.50 Krishna
बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते। तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ॥
buddhiyukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛtaduṣkṛte | tasmādyogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam ||
- Hindi meaning
- बुद्धियुक्त पुरुष इसी जीवन में पुण्य और पाप दोनों को त्याग देता है। इसलिए तुम योग में लग जाओ; कर्मों में कुशलता ही योग है।
- English meaning
- One endowed with this understanding casts off both good and evil deeds here in this life. Therefore devote yourself to yoga; yoga is skill in action.
- Explanation
- Another classic definition: yoga as skilful action that does not bind.
Verse 2.51 Krishna
कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः। जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ताः पदं गच्छन्त्यनामयम् ॥
karmajaṃ buddhiyuktā hi phalaṃ tyaktvā manīṣiṇaḥ | janmabandhavinirmuktāḥ padaṃ gacchantyanāmayam ||
- Hindi meaning
- क्योंकि बुद्धियुक्त ज्ञानीजन कर्म से उत्पन्न फल को त्यागकर जन्म-रूप बन्धन से मुक्त हो जाते हैं और निर्दोष परम पद को प्राप्त होते हैं।
- English meaning
- The wise, endowed with this understanding, renounce the fruits of action, are freed from the bondage of birth, and reach the state beyond all sorrow.
- Explanation
- Selfless action leads to liberation.
Verse 2.52 Krishna
यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति। तदा गन्तासि निर्वेदं श्रोतव्यस्य श्रुतस्य च ॥
yadā te mohakalilaṃ buddhirvyatitariṣyati | tadā gantāsi nirvedaṃ śrotavyasya śrutasya ca ||
- Hindi meaning
- जब तुम्हारी बुद्धि मोह रूपी दलदल को पार कर जाएगी, तब तुम सुने हुए और सुनने योग्य विषयों से वैराग्य को प्राप्त हो जाओगे।
- English meaning
- When your understanding crosses beyond the mire of delusion, you will become indifferent to what has been heard and what is yet to be heard.
- Explanation
- Clarity brings freedom from endless searching for new rewards.
Verse 2.53 Krishna
श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला। समाधावचला बुद्धिस्तदा योगमवाप्स्यसि ॥
śrutivipratipannā te yadā sthāsyati niścalā | samādhāvacalā buddhistadā yogamavāpsyasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- जब अनेक प्रकार के वचनों को सुनने से विचलित हुई तुम्हारी बुद्धि समाधि में अचल और स्थिर हो जाएगी, तब तुम योग को प्राप्त हो जाओगे।
- English meaning
- When your understanding, now confused by conflicting teachings, stands firm and unmoving in meditation, then you will attain yoga.
- Explanation
- A steady mind is both the means and the sign of yoga.
Verse 2.54 Arjuna
स्थितप्रज्ञस्य का भाषा समाधिस्थस्य केशव। स्थितधीः किं प्रभाषेत किमासीत व्रजेत किम् ॥
sthitaprajñasya kā bhāṣā samādhisthasya keśava | sthitadhīḥ kiṃ prabhāṣeta kimāsīta vrajeta kim ||
- Hindi meaning
- अर्जुन ने कहा — हे केशव! समाधि में स्थित स्थितप्रज्ञ पुरुष का क्या लक्षण है? वह स्थिर बुद्धि वाला पुरुष कैसे बोलता है, कैसे बैठता है और कैसे चलता है?
- English meaning
- Arjuna said: O Keshava, what is the description of one whose wisdom is steady, who is absorbed in meditation? How does such a person speak, sit and walk?
- Explanation
- Arjuna asks a practical question, leading to the description of the sthitaprajna, the person of steady wisdom.
Verse 2.55 Krishna
श्री भगवानुवाच प्रजहाति यदा कामान् सर्वान् पार्थ मनोगतान्। आत्मन्येवात्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञस्तदोच्यते ॥
śrī bhagavānuvāca prajahāti yadā kāmān sarvān pārtha manogatān | ātmanyevātmanā tuṣṭaḥ sthitaprajñastadocyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- श्रीभगवान ने कहा — हे पार्थ! जब मनुष्य मन में स्थित सब कामनाओं को त्याग देता है और आत्मा से आत्मा में ही सन्तुष्ट रहता है, तब वह स्थितप्रज्ञ कहलाता है।
- English meaning
- The Blessed Lord said: O Partha, when one gives up all desires of the mind and is content in the Self by the Self, then one is said to be of steady wisdom.
- Explanation
- The first mark of steady wisdom: inner contentment that does not depend on outer things.
Verse 2.56 Krishna
दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः। वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ॥
duḥkheṣvanudvignamanāḥ sukheṣu vigataspṛhaḥ | vītarāgabhayakrodhaḥ sthitadhīrmunirucyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- दुःखों में जिसका मन उद्विग्न नहीं होता, सुखों में जिसकी स्पृहा नहीं रहती, और जिसके राग, भय और क्रोध नष्ट हो गए हैं, वह स्थिर बुद्धि वाला मुनि कहलाता है।
- English meaning
- One whose mind is not shaken by sorrow, who does not crave pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
- Explanation
- Steadiness through both pleasant and painful experiences.
Verse 2.57 Krishna
यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम्। नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥
yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehastattatprāpya śubhāśubham | nābhinandati na dveṣṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||
- Hindi meaning
- जो सर्वत्र आसक्ति-रहित है, शुभ या अशुभ को प्राप्त होकर न प्रसन्न होता है और न द्वेष करता है, उसकी बुद्धि स्थिर है।
- English meaning
- One who is unattached everywhere, who neither rejoices on meeting good nor resents meeting bad, has established wisdom.
- Explanation
- Freedom from both excitement and aversion.
Verse 2.58 Krishna
यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥
yadā saṃharate cāyaṃ kūrmo'ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ | indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||
- Hindi meaning
- जैसे कछुआ सब ओर से अपने अंगों को समेट लेता है, वैसे ही जब यह पुरुष इन्द्रियों को उनके विषयों से सब प्रकार से हटा लेता है, तब उसकी बुद्धि स्थिर होती है।
- English meaning
- When one withdraws the senses from their objects on all sides, as a tortoise draws in its limbs, then one's wisdom is established.
- Explanation
- The image of the tortoise illustrates mastery of the senses (pratyahara).
Verse 2.59 Krishna
विषया विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिनः। रसवर्जं रसोऽप्यस्य परं दृष्ट्वा निवर्तते ॥
viṣayā vinivartante nirāhārasya dehinaḥ | rasavarjaṃ raso'pyasya paraṃ dṛṣṭvā nivartate ||
- Hindi meaning
- इन्द्रियों द्वारा विषयों को ग्रहण न करने वाले पुरुष के विषय तो निवृत्त हो जाते हैं, पर उनमें रस (आसक्ति) बना रहता है; परमात्मा का साक्षात्कार होने पर वह रस भी निवृत्त हो जाता है।
- English meaning
- Sense objects fall away from one who abstains from them, but the taste for them remains. Even the taste ceases when the Supreme is seen.
- Explanation
- Outer restraint is only a beginning; inner longing ends only with higher realisation.
Verse 2.60 Krishna
यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः। इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः ॥
yatato hyapi kaunteya puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ | indriyāṇi pramāthīni haranti prasabhaṃ manaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे कुन्तीपुत्र! प्रयत्न करते हुए बुद्धिमान पुरुष के मन को भी ये प्रबल इन्द्रियाँ बलपूर्वक हर लेती हैं।
- English meaning
- O son of Kunti, the turbulent senses forcibly carry away the mind even of a wise person who is striving.
- Explanation
- Krishna acknowledges how powerful the senses are, even for sincere seekers.
Verse 2.61 Krishna
तानि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्परः। वशे हि यस्येन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥
tāni sarvāṇi saṃyamya yukta āsīta matparaḥ | vaśe hi yasyendriyāṇi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||
- Hindi meaning
- इसलिए उन सब इन्द्रियों को वश में करके मुझमें परायण होकर ध्यान में बैठे; क्योंकि जिसकी इन्द्रियाँ वश में हैं, उसकी बुद्धि स्थिर होती है।
- English meaning
- Restraining them all, one should sit in yoga, devoted to Me. For one whose senses are under control, wisdom is established.
- Explanation
- Devotion to the Divine is introduced as a support for self-mastery.
Verse 2.62 Krishna
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते। सङ्गात् संजायते कामः कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते ॥
dhyāyato viṣayānpuṃsaḥ saṅgasteṣūpajāyate | saṅgāt saṃjāyate kāmaḥ kāmātkrodho'bhijāyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- विषयों का चिन्तन करने वाले पुरुष की उनमें आसक्ति उत्पन्न होती है, आसक्ति से कामना उत्पन्न होती है और कामना में बाधा पड़ने से क्रोध उत्पन्न होता है।
- English meaning
- When a person dwells on sense objects, attachment to them arises; from attachment desire is born, and from desire anger arises.
- Explanation
- The beginning of a famous chain showing how the mind falls.
Verse 2.63 Krishna
क्रोधाद्भवति संमोहः संमोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः। स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति ॥
krodhādbhavati saṃmohaḥ saṃmohātsmṛtivibhramaḥ | smṛtibhraṃśād buddhināśo buddhināśātpraṇaśyati ||
- Hindi meaning
- क्रोध से मूढ़ता उत्पन्न होती है, मूढ़ता से स्मृति भ्रमित होती है, स्मृति के भ्रमित होने से बुद्धि का नाश होता है और बुद्धि के नाश से मनुष्य का पतन हो जाता है।
- English meaning
- From anger comes delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, the loss of reason; and from the loss of reason, one is ruined.
- Explanation
- The chain completes: it all starts with what the mind dwells upon.
Verse 2.64 Krishna
रागद्वेषवियुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन्। आत्मवश्यैर्विधेयात्मा प्रसादमधिगच्छति ॥
rāgadveṣaviyuktaistu viṣayānindriyaiścaran | ātmavaśyairvidheyātmā prasādamadhigacchati ||
- Hindi meaning
- परन्तु अपने अधीन किए हुए अन्तःकरण वाला पुरुष राग-द्वेष से रहित और अपने वश में की हुई इन्द्रियों द्वारा विषयों में विचरण करता हुआ प्रसन्नता को प्राप्त होता है।
- English meaning
- But the self-controlled person, moving among objects with senses free from attachment and aversion and under their control, attains serenity.
- Explanation
- The answer is not avoiding the world, but engaging with it free from attachment and aversion.
Verse 2.65 Krishna
प्रसादे सर्वदुःखानां हानिरस्योपजायते। प्रसन्नचेतसो ह्याशु बुद्धिः पर्यवतिष्ठते ॥
prasāde sarvaduḥkhānāṃ hānirasyopajāyate | prasannacetaso hyāśu buddhiḥ paryavatiṣṭhate ||
- Hindi meaning
- उस प्रसन्नता में उसके सब दुःखों का नाश हो जाता है, और प्रसन्न चित्त वाले पुरुष की बुद्धि शीघ्र ही भली-भाँति स्थिर हो जाती है।
- English meaning
- In that serenity all sorrows come to an end, and the understanding of one whose mind is serene soon becomes steady.
- Explanation
- Inner peace and clear understanding support each other.
Verse 2.66 Krishna
नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना। न चाभावयतः शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम् ॥
nāsti buddhirayuktasya na cāyuktasya bhāvanā | na cābhāvayataḥ śāntiraśāntasya kutaḥ sukham ||
- Hindi meaning
- जिसका मन वश में नहीं है, उसकी बुद्धि स्थिर नहीं होती और उसमें भावना (ध्यान) भी नहीं होती। भावना के बिना शान्ति नहीं मिलती, और अशान्त को सुख कैसे मिल सकता है?
- English meaning
- For one who is not disciplined there is no understanding and no meditation. Without meditation there is no peace, and for one without peace, how can there be happiness?
- Explanation
- Happiness depends on peace, which depends on a disciplined, reflective mind.
Verse 2.67 Krishna
इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते। तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि ॥
indriyāṇāṃ hi caratāṃ yanmano'nuvidhīyate | tadasya harati prajñāṃ vāyurnāvamivāmbhasi ||
- Hindi meaning
- क्योंकि विषयों में विचरती हुई इन्द्रियों में से जिस इन्द्रिय के साथ मन रहता है, वह एक ही इन्द्रिय उसकी बुद्धि को वैसे ही हर लेती है जैसे जल में चलती नाव को वायु हर लेती है।
- English meaning
- When the mind follows the wandering senses, it carries away one's understanding, as the wind carries away a boat on the water.
- Explanation
- A vivid image of how an unguarded mind drifts.
Verse 2.68 Krishna
तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥
tasmādyasya mahābāho nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ | indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||
- Hindi meaning
- इसलिए हे महाबाहो! जिसकी इन्द्रियाँ विषयों से सब प्रकार से वश में की हुई हैं, उसकी बुद्धि स्थिर है।
- English meaning
- Therefore, O mighty-armed, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects has established wisdom.
- Explanation
- Krishna restates the refrain "tasya prajna pratishthita" — such a person's wisdom is firm.
Verse 2.69 Krishna
या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी। यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुनेः ॥
yā niśā sarvabhūtānāṃ tasyāṃ jāgarti saṃyamī | yasyāṃ jāgrati bhūtāni sā niśā paśyato muneḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- सब प्राणियों के लिए जो रात्रि है, उसमें संयमी पुरुष जागता है; और जिसमें सब प्राणी जागते हैं, वह तत्त्व को जानने वाले मुनि के लिए रात्रि है।
- English meaning
- What is night for all beings is the time of waking for the self-controlled; and what is the time of waking for all beings is night for the sage who sees.
- Explanation
- The sage is awake to what others overlook, and indifferent to what others chase.
Verse 2.70 Krishna
आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रमापः प्रविशन्ति यद्वत्। तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी ॥
āpūryamāṇamacalapratiṣṭhaṃ samudramāpaḥ praviśanti yadvat | tadvatkāmā yaṃ praviśanti sarve sa śāntimāpnoti na kāmakāmī ||
- Hindi meaning
- जैसे सब ओर से परिपूर्ण और अचल प्रतिष्ठा वाले समुद्र में नदियों के जल प्रवेश करते हैं, वैसे ही जिसमें सब कामनाएँ प्रवेश करती हैं, वही शान्ति को प्राप्त होता है, कामनाओं को चाहने वाला नहीं।
- English meaning
- As waters enter the ocean, which is ever being filled yet remains still and unmoved, so one into whom all desires enter in the same way attains peace; not the one who chases desires.
- Explanation
- The ocean image: a full, steady mind is not disturbed by what flows into it.
Verse 2.71 Krishna
विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः। निर्ममो निरहंकारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥
vihāya kāmānyaḥ sarvānpumāṃścarati niḥspṛhaḥ | nirmamo nirahaṃkāraḥ sa śāntimadhigacchati ||
- Hindi meaning
- जो पुरुष सब कामनाओं को त्यागकर ममता, अहंकार और स्पृहा से रहित होकर विचरता है, वह शान्ति को प्राप्त होता है।
- English meaning
- One who gives up all desires and moves about free from longing, without the sense of "mine" and without ego, attains peace.
- Explanation
- Peace comes from letting go of possessiveness and ego.
Verse 2.72 Krishna
एषा ब्राह्मी स्थितिः पार्थ नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति। स्थित्वाऽस्यामन्तकालेऽपि ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृच्छति ॥
eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ pārtha naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati | sthitvā'syāmantakāle'pi brahmanirvāṇamṛcchati ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे पार्थ! यह ब्राह्मी स्थिति है; इसे प्राप्त होकर मनुष्य मोहित नहीं होता। अन्तकाल में भी इस स्थिति में स्थित होकर वह ब्रह्मनिर्वाण को प्राप्त होता है।
- English meaning
- This is the state of Brahman, O Partha. Having attained it, one is no longer deluded. Established in it even at the hour of death, one attains the peace of Brahman.
- Explanation
- The chapter closes with the highest goal: a settled state of freedom and peace.
Concluding summary
Chapter 2 lays the foundation of the whole Gita. It moves from knowledge of the eternal Self (Sankhya) to its practical application in selfless action (Yoga), and ends with a portrait of the person whose wisdom is steady.
Key teachings introduced here, such as the right to action but not to its fruits (2.47), equanimity as yoga (2.48) and the chain from attachment to ruin (2.62–2.63), are developed throughout the chapters that follow.
Reflections for daily life
- When grief or fear clouds a decision, what would it mean to ask for guidance as sincerely as Arjuna does?
- Which of today's tasks could you give full attention to, while letting go of anxiety about the outcome?
- What do you most often dwell on, and how might that shape your desires and reactions?
- In which situations could you practise remaining steady in both success and failure?