Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 2 Sankhya Yogah

Sankhya Yogah - Sense objects cease to exist for the person who does not indulge in them, but the taste remains. This too ceases when the Supreme is realized.

विषया विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिन: |
रसवर्जं रसोऽप्यस्य परं दृष्ट्वा निवर्तते ||59||

Sense objects cease to exist for the person who does not indulge in them, but the taste remains. This too ceases when the Supreme is realized.

Vinivartante: Withdraw or turn away.
Rasa: Essence or taste.
Param: Supreme or ultimate.

Although the senses may withdraw from sense objects, the taste for them remains. However, even this taste disappears upon realizing the Supreme. Krishna indicates that true detachment is not merely physical but also mental. Realizing the higher taste of spiritual bliss can help one overcome lower desires.

Bookmark removed

यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चित: |
इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मन: ||60||

The senses are so strong and turbulent that even a person of wisdom, striving for self-control, can be forcibly carried away by them.

Pramathini: Turbulent or agitating.
Haranti: Carry away or drag.
Manah: Mind or thoughts.

Krishna acknowledges the power of the senses, which can forcibly carry away even a person of wisdom. This teaching emphasizes the need for constant vigilance and control over the senses, as they are capable of leading one astray. Arjuna is urged to strengthen his resolve and maintain discipline over his senses.

Bookmark removed

तानि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्पर: |
वशे हि यस्येन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ||61||

Having controlled them all, one should remain focused on the Supreme. His wisdom becomes steady whose senses are under control.

Samyamya: Controlling or restraining.
Indriyani: Senses.
Prajna: Wisdom or intelligence.

One who restrains his senses and fixes his mind on the Supreme remains steady in wisdom. Krishna encourages Arjuna to use his mind and intellect to control his senses, thereby achieving steadiness and clarity. This teaching reinforces the importance of mental focus and devotion as tools for mastering one’s lower nature.

Bookmark removed

ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंस: सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते |
सङ्गात्सञ्जायते काम: कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते ||62||

By contemplating sense objects, a person develops attachment; from attachment comes desire, from desire comes anger.

Kamam: Desire or wish.
Krodha: Anger or rage.
Sangat: Attachment or association.

Krishna explains how attachment to sense objects develops through contemplation, leading to desire and then to anger. This progression reveals the chain of reactions that cloud the mind and lead to delusion. Arjuna is advised to break this chain early by avoiding unnecessary attachment, which gives rise to further suffering.

Bookmark removed

Sankhya Yogah - From anger comes delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, loss of reason; and from loss of reason, one is utterly lost.

क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोह: सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम: |
स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति ||63||

From anger comes delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, loss of reason; and from loss of reason, one is utterly lost.

Smriti: Memory or recollection.
Bhramsa: Destruction or confusion.
Buddhi: Intelligence or wisdom.

From anger arises delusion, which leads to confusion of memory and loss of reason. This results in the total destruction of one’s wisdom. Krishna describes how unchecked emotions can spiral out of control, causing inner chaos. This teaching warns Arjuna about the dangers of allowing his emotions to dominate his judgment.

Bookmark removed

Sankhya Yogah - But one who controls the mind and is free from both attachment and aversion, even while interacting with sense objects, attains peace.

रागद्वेषवियुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन् |
आत्मवश्यैर्विधेयात्मा प्रसादमधिगच्छति ||64||

But one who controls the mind and is free from both attachment and aversion, even while interacting with sense objects, attains peace.

Raga-dvesa: Attachment and aversion.
Viyuktaih: Freed from.
Prasadam: Grace or tranquility.

One who is free from attachment and aversion, even while engaging with sense objects, attains the grace of the Supreme. Krishna teaches that balance and self-mastery allow one to interact with the world without being affected by it. Such a person, by maintaining equanimity, achieves a state of inner peace and tranquility.

Bookmark removed

प्रसादे सर्वदु:खानां हानिरस्योपजायते |
प्रसन्नचेतसो ह्याशु बुद्धि: पर्यवतिष्ठते ||65||

In that peace, all sorrow ceases, and the intellect of such a person soon becomes steady.

Prasanna-cetasa: Clear consciousness.
Buddhih: Intellect or wisdom.
Sukham: Happiness or joy.

In that state of inner peace, all sorrows cease, and the intellect becomes firmly established. Krishna suggests that inner peace is the foundation of true wisdom, as a tranquil mind is capable of making sound decisions. This teaching encourages Arjuna to seek calmness and balance, as they are prerequisites for attaining wisdom.

Bookmark removed