Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 of 18

Sankhya Yoga

साङ्ख्ययोग — The Yoga of Knowledge · 72 verses

All 72 verses

Sanskrit, transliteration and English meaning for every verse.

1. 2.1 · Sanjaya

   तं तथा कृपयाविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम् ।
   विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः ॥

   taṃ tathā kṛpayāviṣṭamaśrupūrṇākulekṣaṇam |
   viṣīdantamidaṃ vākyamuvāca madhusūdanaḥ ||

   Sanjaya said: To Arjuna, overcome with pity, his eyes filled with tears and troubled, and sinking in despair, Madhusudana (Krishna) spoke these words.

2. 2.2 · Krishna

   कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम् ।
   अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन ॥

   kutastvā kaśmalamidaṃ viṣame samupasthitam |
   anāryajuṣṭamasvargyamakīrtikaramarjuna ||

   The Lord said: Where has this weakness come from at such a critical moment, Arjuna? It is unworthy of a noble person; it leads neither to heaven nor to honour.

3. 2.3 · Krishna

   क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते ।
   क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ॥

   klaibyaṃ mā sma gamaḥ pārtha naitattvayyupapadyate |
   kṣudraṃ hṛdayadaurbalyaṃ tyaktvottiṣṭha parantapa ||

   Do not yield to unmanliness, son of Pritha; it does not become you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and stand up, scorcher of foes!

4. 2.4 · Arjuna

   कथं भीष्ममहं संख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन ।
   इषुभिः प्रति योत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ॥

   kathaṃ bhīṣmamahaṃ saṃkhye droṇaṃ ca madhusūdana |
   iṣubhiḥ prati yotsyāmi pūjārhāvarisūdana ||

   Arjuna said: How can I fight Bhishma and Drona with arrows in battle, Madhusudana? They are worthy of my reverence, O destroyer of enemies.

5. 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 ||

   It would be better to live in this world even by begging than to kill these noble teachers. If I kill my elders, even out of desire for gain, every pleasure I enjoy here will be stained with their blood.

6. 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 ||

   Nor do we know which is better for us — that we conquer them or that they conquer us. The very sons of Dhritarashtra, after killing whom we would not even wish to live, stand facing us.

7. 2.7 · Arjuna

   कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः ।
   यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥

   kārpaṇyadoṣopahatasvabhāvaḥ pṛcchāmi tvāṃ dharmasammūḍhacetāḥ |
   yacchreyaḥ syānniścitaṃ brūhi tanme śiṣyaste’haṃ śādhi māṃ tvāṃ prapannam ||

   My nature is overwhelmed by weakness and pity, and my mind is confused about my duty. I ask you: tell me clearly what is truly good for me. I am your disciple; teach me, for I have taken refuge in you.

8. 2.8 · Arjuna

   न हि प्रपश्यामि ममापनुद्याद् यच्छोकमुच्छोषणमिन्द्रियाणाम् ।
   अवाप्य भूमावसपत्नमृद्धं राज्यं सुराणामपि चाधिपत्यम् ॥

   na hi prapaśyāmi mamāpanudyād yacchokamucchoṣaṇamindriyāṇām |
   avāpya bhūmāvasapatnamṛddhaṃ rājyaṃ surāṇāmapi cādhipatyam ||

   For I see nothing that could remove this grief that is drying up my senses — not even an unrivalled, prosperous kingdom on earth, or lordship over the gods.

9. 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 ||

   Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Hrishikesha, Gudakesha (Arjuna), the scorcher of foes, said to Govinda, “I will not fight,” and fell silent.

10. 2.10 · Sanjaya

    तमुवाच हृषीकेशः प्रहसन्निव भारत ।
    सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये विषीदन्तमिदं वचः ॥

    tamuvāca hṛṣīkeśaḥ prahasanniva bhārata |
    senayorubhayormadhye viṣīdantamidaṃ vacaḥ ||

    Then, O Bharata, between the two armies, Hrishikesha, as if smiling, spoke these words to the despondent Arjuna.

11. 2.11 · Krishna

    अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे ।
    गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः ॥

    aśocyānanvaśocastvaṃ prajñāvādāṃśca bhāṣase |
    gatāsūnagatāsūṃśca nānuśocanti paṇḍitāḥ ||

    The Lord said: You grieve for those who should not be grieved for, and yet you speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the dead nor for the living.

12. 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 ||

    Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor these kings; nor will any of us ever cease to exist hereafter.

13. 2.13 · Krishna · key verse

    देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा ।
    तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति ॥

    dehino’sminyathā dehe kaumāraṃ yauvanaṃ jarā |
    tathā dehāntaraprāptirdhīrastatra na muhyati ||

    Just as the embodied soul passes through childhood, youth and old age in this body, so it passes into another body. The wise are not confused by this.

14. 2.14 · Krishna · key verse

    मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः ।
    आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ॥

    mātrāsparśāstu kaunteya śītoṣṇasukhaduḥkhadāḥ |
    āgamāpāyino’nityāstāṃstitikṣasva bhārata ||

    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, Arjuna.

15. 2.15 · Krishna

    यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ ।
    समदुःखसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते ॥

    yaṃ hi na vyathayantyete puruṣaṃ puruṣarṣabha |
    samaduḥkhasukhaṃ dhīraṃ so’mṛtatvāya kalpate ||

    The person whom these do not disturb, best of men — who is steady and the same in pain and pleasure — is fit for immortality.

16. 2.16 · Krishna

    नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः ।
    उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः ॥

    nāsato vidyate bhāvo nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ |
    ubhayorapi dṛṣṭo’ntastvanayostattvadarśibhiḥ ||

    The unreal never comes into being; the real never ceases to be. The seers of truth have known the final nature of both.

17. 2.17 · Krishna

    अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ।
    विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति ॥

    avināśi tu tadviddhi yena sarvamidaṃ tatam |
    vināśamavyayasyāsya na kaścitkartumarhati ||

    Know that to be indestructible by which all this is pervaded. No one can bring about the destruction of the imperishable.

18. 2.18 · Krishna

    अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः ।
    अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य तस्माद्युध्यस्व भारत ॥

    antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ |
    anāśino’prameyasya tasmādyudhyasva bhārata ||

    These bodies of the eternal, indestructible and immeasurable embodied Self are said to have an end. Therefore fight, Bharata.

19. 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 ||

    One who thinks the Self is a slayer, and one who thinks it is slain — neither of them understands. It does not slay, nor is it slain.

20. 2.20 · Krishna · key verse

    न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
    नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः ।
    अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो
    न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥

    na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
    nāyaṃ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ |
    ajo nityaḥ śāśvato’yaṃ purāṇo
    na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre ||

    The Self is never born and never dies. It did not come into being and will not cease to be. Unborn, eternal, everlasting and ancient, it is not killed when the body is killed.

21. 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 ||

    How can a person who knows the Self to be indestructible, eternal, unborn and unchanging kill anyone, son of Pritha, or cause anyone to be killed?

22. 2.22 · Krishna · key verse

    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 ||

    As a person discards worn-out clothes and puts on new ones, so the embodied Self discards worn-out bodies and enters new ones.

23. 2.23 · Krishna · key verse

    नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः ।
    न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ॥

    nainaṃ chindanti śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvakaḥ |
    na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati mārutaḥ ||

    Weapons cannot cut the Self, fire cannot burn it, water cannot wet it and wind cannot dry it.

24. 2.24 · Krishna

    अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च ।
    नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातनः ॥

    acchedyo’yamadāhyo’yamakledyo’śoṣya eva ca |
    nityaḥ sarvagataḥ sthāṇuracalo’yaṃ sanātanaḥ ||

    The Self cannot be cut, burned, wetted or dried. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable and everlasting.

25. 2.25 · Krishna

    अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयमविकार्योऽयमुच्यते ।
    तस्मादेवं विदित्वैनं नानुशोचितुमर्हसि ॥

    avyakto’yamacintyo’yamavikāryo’yamucyate |
    tasmādevaṃ viditvainaṃ nānuśocitumarhasi ||

    The Self is said to be unmanifest, unthinkable and unchangeable. Knowing it to be so, you should not grieve.

26. 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 ||

    And even if you think of it as being constantly born and constantly dying, even then, mighty-armed one, you should not grieve.

27. 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 ||

    For death is certain for whatever is born, and birth is certain for whatever dies. Therefore you should not grieve over what is unavoidable.

28. 2.28 · Krishna

    अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत ।
    अव्यक्तनिधनान्येव तत्र का परिदेवना ॥

    avyaktādīni bhūtāni vyaktamadhyāni bhārata |
    avyaktanidhanānyeva tatra kā paridevanā ||

    Beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their middle state and unmanifest again at their end, Bharata. What is there to lament in this?

29. 2.29 · Krishna

    आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेनमाश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः ।
    आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः शृणोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित् ॥

    āścaryavatpaśyati kaścidenamāścaryavadvadati tathaiva cānyaḥ |
    āścaryavaccainamanyaḥ śṛṇoti śrutvāpyenaṃ veda na caiva kaścit ||

    Some see the Self as a wonder; another speaks of it as a wonder; another hears of it as a wonder; and even after hearing about it, no one truly knows it.

30. 2.30 · Krishna

    देही नित्यमवध्योऽयं देहे सर्वस्य भारत ।
    तस्मात्सर्वाणि भूतानि न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥

    dehī nityamavadhyo’yaṃ dehe sarvasya bhārata |
    tasmātsarvāṇi bhūtāni na tvaṃ śocitumarhasi ||

    The Self that dwells in every body can never be slain, Bharata. Therefore you should not grieve for any being.

31. 2.31 · Krishna

    स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि ।
    धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ॥

    svadharmamapi cāvekṣya na vikampitumarhasi |
    dharmyāddhi yuddhācchreyo’nyatkṣatriyasya na vidyate ||

    Considering your own duty too, you should not waver. For a kshatriya there is nothing better than a righteous battle.

32. 2.32 · Krishna

    यदृच्छया चोपपन्नं स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम् ।
    सुखिनः क्षत्रियाः पार्थ लभन्ते युद्धमीदृशम् ॥

    yadṛcchayā copapannaṃ svargadvāramapāvṛtam |
    sukhinaḥ kṣatriyāḥ pārtha labhante yuddhamīdṛśam ||

    Fortunate are the kshatriyas, son of Pritha, who are offered such a battle unsought — an open door to heaven.

33. 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 ||

    But if you do not fight this righteous battle, you will abandon your duty and your honour, and incur sin.

34. 2.34 · Krishna

    अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम् ।
    सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते ॥

    akīrtiṃ cāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣyanti te’vyayām |
    sambhāvitasya cākīrtirmaraṇādatiricyate ||

    People will speak of your dishonour for ever, and for one who has been honoured, dishonour is worse than death.

35. 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 ||

    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.

36. 2.36 · Krishna

    अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून्वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः ।
    निन्दन्तस्तव सामर्थ्यं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम् ॥

    avācyavādāṃśca bahūnvadiṣyanti tavāhitāḥ |
    nindantastava sāmarthyaṃ tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim ||

    Your enemies will say many unspeakable things, mocking your strength. What could be more painful than that?

37. 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 ||

    If you are killed, you will attain heaven; if you win, you will enjoy the earth. Therefore stand up, son of Kunti, resolved to fight.

38. 2.38 · Krishna

    सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ ।
    ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥

    sukhaduḥkhe same kṛtvā lābhālābhau jayājayau |
    tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṃ pāpamavāpsyasi ||

    Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike, engage in battle. In this way you will incur no sin.

39. 2.39 · Krishna

    एषा तेऽभिहिता सांख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु ।
    बुद्ध्या युक्तो यया पार्थ कर्मबन्धं प्रहास्यसि ॥

    eṣā te’bhihitā sāṃkhye buddhiryoge tvimāṃ śṛṇu |
    buddhyā yukto yayā pārtha karmabandhaṃ prahāsyasi ||

    This is the understanding taught by Sankhya. Now hear it as taught by yoga: equipped with this understanding, son of Pritha, you will break the bondage of karma.

40. 2.40 · Krishna

    नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते ।
    स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥

    nehābhikramanāśo’sti pratyavāyo na vidyate |
    svalpamapyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt ||

    On this path no effort is lost and no harm results. Even a little of this practice protects one from great fear.

41. 2.41 · Krishna

    व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन ।
    बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम् ॥

    vyavasāyātmikā buddhirekeha kurunandana |
    bahuśākhā hyanantāśca buddhayo’vyavasāyinām ||

    Here, joy of the Kurus, the resolute understanding is single-pointed; but the thoughts of the irresolute are many-branched and endless.

42. 2.42 · Krishna

    यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः ।
    वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ॥

    yāmimāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācaṃ pravadantyavipaścitaḥ |
    vedavādaratāḥ pārtha nānyadastīti vādinaḥ ||

    The unwise, who delight in the letter of the Vedas and declare that there is nothing else, speak flowery words, son of Pritha —

43. 2.43 · Krishna

    कामात्मानः स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम् ।
    क्रियाविशेषबहुलां भोगैश्वर्यगतिं प्रति ॥

    kāmātmānaḥ svargaparā janmakarmaphalapradām |
    kriyāviśeṣabahulāṃ bhogaiśvaryagatiṃ prati ||

    — full of desire and intent on heaven, they speak of many special rites that yield rebirth as the fruit of action and aim at pleasure and power.

44. 2.44 · Krishna

    भोगैश्वर्यप्रसक्तानां तयापहृतचेतसाम् ।
    व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिः समाधौ न विधीयते ॥

    bhogaiśvaryaprasaktānāṃ tayāpahṛtacetasām |
    vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ samādhau na vidhīyate ||

    Those attached to pleasure and power, whose minds are carried away by such words, do not attain the resolute understanding that is steady in meditation.

45. 2.45 · Krishna

    त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन ।
    निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ॥

    traiguṇyaviṣayā vedā nistraiguṇyo bhavārjuna |
    nirdvandvo nityasattvastho niryogakṣema ātmavān ||

    The Vedas deal with the three gunas; rise above the three gunas, Arjuna. Be free from the pairs of opposites, ever established in purity, unconcerned with acquiring and keeping, and centred in the Self.

46. 2.46 · Krishna

    यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः संप्लुतोदके ।
    तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ॥

    yāvānartha udapāne sarvataḥ saṃplutodake |
    tāvānsarveṣu vedeṣu brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ ||

    As much use as there is in a small well where there is water everywhere, so much use is there in all the Vedas for a Brahmin who has realised the truth.

47. 2.47 · Krishna · key verse

    कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
    मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥

    karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana |
    mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo’stvakarmaṇi ||

    You have a right to your actions alone, never to their fruits. Do not let the results be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.

48. 2.48 · Krishna · key verse

    योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय ।
    सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ॥

    yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya |
    siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate ||

    Established in yoga, perform your actions, giving up attachment, Arjuna. Be even-minded in success and failure — this evenness of mind is called yoga.

49. 2.49 · Krishna

    दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनंजय ।
    बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥

    dūreṇa hyavaraṃ karma buddhiyogāddhanaṃjaya |
    buddhau śaraṇamanviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phalahetavaḥ ||

    Action done for its results is far inferior to action done with an understanding mind, Dhananjaya. Take refuge in this understanding; pitiable are those who act only for the fruits.

50. 2.50 · Krishna

    बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते ।
    तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ॥

    buddhiyukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛtaduṣkṛte |
    tasmādyogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam ||

    One whose understanding is united with yoga casts off both good and evil deeds even here. Therefore devote yourself to yoga: yoga is skill in action.

51. 2.51 · Krishna

    कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः ।
    जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ताः पदं गच्छन्त्यनामयम् ॥

    karmajaṃ buddhiyuktā hi phalaṃ tyaktvā manīṣiṇaḥ |
    janmabandhavinirmuktāḥ padaṃ gacchantyanāmayam ||

    The wise, possessed of this understanding, give up the fruits born of action, are freed from the bondage of birth, and reach the state beyond all suffering.

52. 2.52 · Krishna

    यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति ।
    तदा गन्तासि निर्वेदं श्रोतव्यस्य श्रुतस्य च ॥

    yadā te mohakalilaṃ buddhirvyatitariṣyati |
    tadā gantāsi nirvedaṃ śrotavyasya śrutasya ca ||

    When your understanding crosses beyond the thicket of delusion, you will become indifferent to all that you have heard and all that is yet to be heard.

53. 2.53 · Krishna

    श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला ।
    समाधावचला बुद्धिस्तदा योगमवाप्स्यसि ॥

    śrutivipratipannā te yadā sthāsyati niścalā |
    samādhāvacalā buddhistadā yogamavāpsyasi ||

    When your understanding, now confused by conflicting scriptural opinions, stands firm and unshaken in meditation, then you will attain yoga.

54. 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 ||

    Arjuna said: What are the marks of one whose wisdom is steady and who is established in meditation, Keshava? How does one of steady mind speak, how do they sit, how do they walk?

55. 2.55 · Krishna

    प्रजहाति यदा कामान्सर्वान्पार्थ मनोगतान् ।
    आत्मन्येवात्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञस्तदोच्यते ॥

    prajahāti yadā kāmānsarvānpārtha manogatān |
    ātmanyevātmanā tuṣṭaḥ sthitaprajñastadocyate ||

    The Lord said: When one gives up all the desires of the mind, son of Pritha, and is content in the Self by the Self, then one is called a person of steady wisdom.

56. 2.56 · Krishna

    दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः ।
    वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ॥

    duḥkheṣvanudvignamanāḥ sukheṣu vigataspṛhaḥ |
    vītarāgabhayakrodhaḥ sthitadhīrmunirucyate ||

    One whose mind is untroubled in sorrow and who does not long for pleasures, who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.

57. 2.57 · Krishna

    यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम् ।
    नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥

    yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehastattatprāpya śubhāśubham |
    nābhinandati na dveṣṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||

    One who is without attachment anywhere, who neither rejoices nor resents on meeting good or bad — that person’s wisdom is firmly established.

58. 2.58 · Krishna

    यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः ।
    इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥

    yadā saṃharate cāyaṃ kūrmo’ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ |
    indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||

    When, like a tortoise drawing in its limbs, one withdraws the senses completely from their objects, that person’s wisdom is firmly established.

59. 2.59 · Krishna

    विषया विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिनः ।
    रसवर्जं रसोऽप्यस्य परं दृष्ट्वा निवर्तते ॥

    viṣayā vinivartante nirāhārasya dehinaḥ |
    rasavarjaṃ raso’pyasya paraṃ dṛṣṭvā nivartate ||

    The objects of the senses fall away from one who abstains from them, but the taste for them remains. Even the taste falls away when the Supreme is seen.

60. 2.60 · Krishna

    यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः ।
    इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः ॥

    yatato hyapi kaunteya puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ |
    indriyāṇi pramāthīni haranti prasabhaṃ manaḥ ||

    Even for a wise person who strives, son of Kunti, the turbulent senses forcibly carry away the mind.

61. 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 ||

    Restraining them all, one should sit steadfast, devoted to me. For one whose senses are under control, wisdom is firmly established.

62. 2.62 · Krishna · key verse

    ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते ।
    सङ्गात्सञ्जायते कामः कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते ॥

    dhyāyato viṣayānpuṃsaḥ saṅgasteṣūpajāyate |
    saṅgātsañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmātkrodho’bhijāyate ||

    When a person dwells on the objects of the senses, attachment to them arises. From attachment comes desire, and from desire comes anger.

63. 2.63 · Krishna · key verse

    क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहः सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः ।
    स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति ॥

    krodhādbhavati sammohaḥ sammohātsmṛtivibhramaḥ |
    smṛtibhraṃśād buddhināśo buddhināśātpraṇaśyati ||

    From anger comes delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, the loss of reason; and with the loss of reason, one is ruined.

64. 2.64 · Krishna

    रागद्वेषवियुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन् ।
    आत्मवश्यैर्विधेयात्मा प्रसादमधिगच्छति ॥

    rāgadveṣaviyuktaistu viṣayānindriyaiścaran |
    ātmavaśyairvidheyātmā prasādamadhigacchati ||

    But one who is self-disciplined, moving among sense objects with senses under control and free from attraction and aversion, attains serenity.

65. 2.65 · Krishna

    प्रसादे सर्वदुःखानां हानिरस्योपजायते ।
    प्रसन्नचेतसो ह्याशु बुद्धिः पर्यवतिष्ठते ॥

    prasāde sarvaduḥkhānāṃ hānirasyopajāyate |
    prasannacetaso hyāśu buddhiḥ paryavatiṣṭhate ||

    In that serenity all sorrows come to an end, for the understanding of one whose mind is serene soon becomes steady.

66. 2.66 · Krishna

    नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना ।
    न चाभावयतः शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम् ॥

    nāsti buddhirayuktasya na cāyuktasya bhāvanā |
    na cābhāvayataḥ śāntiraśāntasya kutaḥ sukham ||

    For one who is not disciplined there is no understanding and no contemplation; without contemplation there is no peace, and for one without peace, how can there be happiness?

67. 2.67 · Krishna

    इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनु विधीयते ।
    तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि ॥

    indriyāṇāṃ hi caratāṃ yanmano’nu vidhīyate |
    tadasya harati prajñāṃ vāyurnāvamivāmbhasi ||

    When the mind follows the wandering senses, it carries away one’s wisdom as the wind carries away a boat on the water.

68. 2.68 · Krishna

    तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः ।
    इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥

    tasmādyasya mahābāho nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ |
    indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ||

    Therefore, mighty-armed one, one whose senses are completely withdrawn from their objects — that person’s wisdom is firmly established.

69. 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 ||

    What is night for all beings, the self-controlled one is awake to; and what all beings are awake to is night for the sage who sees.

70. 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 ||

    As the waters enter the ocean, which is ever being filled yet remains steady within its bounds, so the person into whom all desires enter in the same way attains peace — not the one who chases desires.

71. 2.71 · Krishna

    विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान् पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः ।
    निर्ममो निरहंकारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥

    vihāya kāmānyaḥ sarvān pumāṃścarati niḥspṛhaḥ |
    nirmamo nirahaṃkāraḥ sa śāntimadhigacchati ||

    One who gives up all desires and moves about free from longing, without possessiveness and without ego, attains peace.

72. 2.72 · Krishna

    एषा ब्राह्मी स्थितिः पार्थ नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति ।
    स्थित्वास्यामन्तकालेऽपि ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृच्छति ॥

    eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ pārtha naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati |
    sthitvāsyāmantakāle’pi brahmanirvāṇamṛcchati ||

    This is the state of Brahman, son of Pritha. Having attained it, one is no longer deluded. Established in it even at the hour of death, one attains the peace of Brahman (brahma-nirvana).