CHAPTER 2: Summary of the teachings
©2001, TheBhagavatGita.com

sanjayah uvaca -- Sanjaya said; tam -- unto Arjuna; tatha -- thus; krpaya -- by compassion; avistam -- overwhelmed; asru-purna-akula -- full of tears; iksanam -- eyes; visidantam -- lamenting; idam -- these; vakyam -- words; uvaca -- said; madhu-sudanah -- the killer of Madhu.

Sanjaya said: Seeing Arjuna full of compassion, his mind depressed, his eyes full of tears, Madhusudana, Krishna, spoke the following words.

sri-bhagavan uvaca -- the Supreme said; kutah -- wherefrom; tva -- unto you; kasmalam -- dirtiness; idam -- this lamentation; visame -- in this hour of crisis; samupasthitam -- arrived; anarya -- persons who do not know the value of life; justam -- practiced by; asvargyam -- which does not lead to higher planets; akirti -- infamy; karam -- the cause of; arjuna -- O Arjuna.

The Supreme said: My dear Arjuna, how have these impurities come upon you? They are not at all befitting a man who knows the value of life. They lead not to higher planets but to infamy.

klaibyam -- impotence; ma sma -- do not; gamah -- take to; partha -- O son of Prtha; na -- never; etat -- this; tvayi -- unto you; upadyate -- is befitting; ksudram -- petty; hrdaya -- of the heart; daurbalyam -- weakness; tyaktva -- giving up; uttistha -- get up; param-tapa -- O chastiser of the enemies.

O son of Prtha, do not yield to this degrading impotence. It does not become you. Give up such petty weakness of heart and arise, O chastiser of the enemy.

arjunah uvaca -- Arjuna said; katham -- how; bhismam -- Bhisma; aham -- I; sankhye -- in the fight; dronam -- Drona; ca -- also; madhu-sudana -- O killer of Madhu; isubhih -- with arrows; pratiyotsyami -- shall counterattack; puja-arhau -- those who are worshipable; ari-sudana -- O killer of the enemies.

Arjuna said: O killer of enemies, O killer of Madhu, how can I counterattack with arrows in battle men like Bhisma and Drona, who are worthy of my worship?

gurun -- the superiors; ahatva -- not killing; hi -- certainly; maha-anubhavan -- great souls; sreyah -- it is better; bhoktum -- to enjoy life; bhaiksyam -- by begging; api -- even; iha -- in this life; loke -- in this world; hatva -- killing; artha -- gain; kaman -- desiring; tu -- but; gurun -- superiors; iha -- in this world; eva -- certainly; bhunjiya -- one has to enjoy; bhogan -- enjoyable things; rudhira -- blood; pradigdhan -- tainted with.

It would be better to live in this world by begging than to live at the cost of the lives of great souls who are my teachers. Even though desiring worldly gain, they are superiors. If they are killed, everything we enjoy will be tainted with blood.

na -- nor; ca -- also; etat -- this; vidmah -- do we know; katarat -- which; nah -- for us; gariyah -- better; yat va -- whether; jayema -- we may conquer; yadi -- if; va -- or; nah -- us; jayeyuh -- they conquer; yan -- those who; eva -- certainly; hatva -- by killing; na -- never; jijivisamah -- we would want to live; te -- all of them; avasthitah -- are situated; pramukhe -- in the front; dhartarastrah -- the sons of Dhrtarastra.

Nor do we know which is better -- conquering them or being conquered by them. If we killed the sons of Dhrtarastra, we should not care to live. Yet they are now standing before us on the battlefield.

karpanya -- of miserliness; dosa -- by the weakness; upahata -- being afflicted; sva-bhavah -- characteristics; prcchami -- I am asking; tvam -- unto You; dharma -- religion; sammudha -- bewildered; cetah -- in heart; yat -- what; sreyah -- all-good; syat -- may be; niscitam -- confidently; bruhi -- tell; tat -- that; me -- unto me; sisyah -- disciple; te -- Your; aham -- I am; sadhi -- just instruct; mam -- me; tvam -- unto You; prapannam -- surrendered.

Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.

na -- do not; hi -- certainly; prapasyami -- I see; mama -- my; apanudyat -- can drive away; yat -- that which; sokam -- lamentation; ucchosanam -- drying up; indriyanam -- of the senses; avapya -- achieving; bhumau -- on the earth; asapatnam -- without rival; rddham -- prosperous; rajyam -- kingdom; suranam -- of the demigods; api -- even; ca -- also; adhipatyam -- supremacy.

I can find no means to drive away this grief which is drying up my senses. I will not be able to dispel it even if I win a prosperous, unrivaled kingdom on earth with sovereignty like the demigods in heaven.

sanjayah uvaca -- Sanjaya said; evam -- thus; uktva -- speaking; hrsikesam -- unto Krishna, the master of the senses; gudakesah -- Arjuna, the master of curbing ignorance; parantapah -- the chastiser of the enemies; na yotsye -- I shall not fight; iti -- thus; govindam -- unto Krishna, the giver of pleasure to the senses; uktva -- saying; tusnim -- silent; babhuva -- became; ha -- certainly.

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, Arjuna, chastiser of enemies, told Krishna, "Govinda, I shall not fight," and fell silent.

tam -- unto him; uvaca -- said; hrsikesah -- the master of the senses, Krishna; prahasan -- smiling; iva -- like that; bharata -- O Dhrtarastra, descendant of Bharata; senayoh -- of the armies; ubhayoh -- of both parties; madhye -- between; visidantam -- unto the lamenting one; idam -- the following; vacah -- words.

O descendant of Bharata, at that time Krishna, smiling, in the midst of both the armies, spoke the following words to the grief-stricken Arjuna.

sri-bhagavan uvaca -- the Supreme said; asocyan -- not worthy of lamentation; anvasocah -- you are lamenting; tvam -- you; prajna-vadan -- learned talks; ca -- also; bhasase -- speaking; gata -- lost; asun -- life; agata -- not past; asun -- life; ca -- also; na -- never; anusocanti -- lament; panditah -- the learned.

The Supreme said: While speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.

na -- never; tu -- but; eva -- certainly; aham -- I; jatu -- at any time; na -- did not; asam -- exist; na -- not; tvam -- you; na -- not; ime -- all these; jana-adhipah -- kings; na -- never; ca -- also; eva -- certainly; na -- not; bhavisyamah -- shall exist; sarve vayam -- all of us; atah param -- hereafter.

Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.

dehinah -- of the embodied; asmin -- in this; yatha -- as; dehe -- in the body; kaumaram -- boyhood; yauvanam -- youth; jara -- old age; tatha -- similarly; deha-antara -- of transference of the body; praptih -- achievement; dhirah -- the sober; tatra -- thereupon; na -- never; muhyati -- is deluded.

As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.

matra-sparsah -- sensory perception; tu -- only; kaunteya -- O son of Kunti; sita -- winter; usna -- summer; sukha -- happiness; duhkha -- and pain; dah -- giving; agama -- appearing; apayinah -- disappearing; anityah -- nonpermanent; tan -- all of them; titiksasva -- just try to tolerate; bharata -- O descendant of the Bharata dynasty.

O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

yam -- one to whom; hi -- certainly; na -- never; vyathayanti -- are distressing; ete -- all these; purusam -- to a person; purusa-rsabha -- O best among men; sama -- unaltered; duhkha -- in distress; sukham -- and happiness; dhiram -- patient; sah -- he; amrtatvaya -- for liberation; kalpate -- is considered eligible.

O best among men [Arjuna], the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.

na -- never; asatah -- of the nonexistent; vidyate -- there is; bhavah -- endurance; na -- never; abhavah -- changing quality; vidyate -- there is; satah -- of the eternal; ubhayoh -- of the two; api -- verily; drstah -- observed; antah -- conclusion; tu -- indeed; anayoh -- of them; tattva -- of the truth; darsibhih -- by the seers.

Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent [the material body] there is no endurance and of the eternal [the soul] there is no change. This they have concluded by studying the nature of both.

avinasi -- imperishable; tu -- but; tat -- that; viddhi -- know it; yena -- by whom; sarvam -- all of the body; idam -- this; tatam -- pervaded; vinasam -- destruction; avyayasya -- of the imperishable; asya -- of it; na kascit -- no one; kartum -- to do; arhati -- is able.

That which pervades the entire body you should know to be indestructible. No one is able to destroy that imperishable soul.

anta-vantah -- perishable; ime -- all these; dehah -- material bodies; nityasya -- eternal in existence; uktah -- are said; saririnah -- of the embodied soul; anasinah -- never to be destroyed; aprameyasya -- immeasurable; tasmat -- therefore; yudhyasva -- fight; bharata -- O descendant of Bharata.

The material body of the indestructible, immeasurable and eternal living entity is sure to come to an end; therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata.

yah -- anyone who; enam -- this; vetti -- knows; hantaram -- the killer; yah -- anyone who; ca -- also; enam -- this; manyate -- thinks; hatam -- killed; ubhau -- both; tau -- they; na -- never; vijanitah -- are in knowledge; na -- never; ayam -- this; hanti -- kills; na -- nor; hanyate -- is killed.

Neither he who thinks the living entity the slayer nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not nor is slain.

na -- never; jayate -- takes birth; mriyate -- dies; va -- either; kadacit -- at any time (past, present or future); na -- never; ayam -- this; bhutva -- having come into being; bhavita -- will come to be; va -- or; na -- not; bhuyah -- or is again coming to be; ajah -- unborn; nityah -- eternal; sasvatah -- permanent; ayam -- this; puranah -- the oldest; na -- never; hanyate -- is killed; hanyamane -- being killed; sarire -- the body.

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

veda -- knows; avinasinam -- indestructible; nityam -- always existing; yah -- one who; enam -- this (soul); ajam -- unborn; avyayam -- immutable; katham -- how; sah -- that; purusah -- person; partha -- O Partha (Arjuna); kam -- whom; ghatayati -- causes to hurt; hanti -- kills; kam -- whom.

O Partha, how can a person who knows that the soul is indestructible, eternal, unborn and immutable kill anyone or cause anyone to kill?

vasamsi -- garments; jirnani -- old and worn out; yatha -- just as; vihaya -- giving up; navani -- new garments; grhnati -- does accept; narah -- a man; aparani -- others; tatha -- in the same way; sarirani -- bodies; vihaya -- giving up; jirnani -- old and useless; anyani -- different; samyati -- verily accepts; navani -- new sets; dehi -- the embodied.

As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.

na -- never; enam -- this soul; chindanti -- can cut to pieces; sastrani -- weapons; na -- never; enam -- this soul; dahati -- burns; pavakah -- fire; na -- never; ca -- also; enam -- this soul; kledayanti -- moistens; apah -- water; na -- never; sosayati -- dries; marutah -- wind.

The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind.

acchedyah -- unbreakable; ayam -- this soul; adahyah -- unable to be burned; ayam -- this soul; akledyah -- insoluble; asosyah -- not able to be dried; eva -- certainly; ca -- and; nityah -- everlasting; sarva-gatah -- all-pervading; sthanuh -- unchangeable; acalah -- immovable; ayam -- this soul; sanatanah -- eternally the same.

This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same.

avyaktah -- invisible; ayam -- this soul; acintyah -- inconceivable; ayam -- this soul; avikaryah -- unchangeable; ayam -- this soul; ucyate -- is said; tasmat -- therefore; evam -- like this; viditva -- knowing it well; enam -- this soul; na -- do not; anusocitum -- to lament; arhasi -- you deserve.

It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.

atha -- if, however; ca -- also; enam -- this soul; nitya-jatam -- always born; nityam -- forever; va -- either; manyase -- you so think; mrtam -- dead; tatha api -- still; tvam -- you; maha-baho -- O mighty-armed one; na -- never; enam -- about the soul; socitum -- to lament; arhasi -- deserve.

If, however, you think that the soul [or the symptoms of life] is always born and dies forever, you still have no reason to lament, O mighty-armed.

jatasya -- of one who has taken his birth; hi -- certainly; dhruvah -- a fact; mrtyuh -- death; dhruvam -- it is also a fact; janma -- birth; mrtasya -- of the dead; ca -- also; tasmat -- therefore; apariharye -- of that which is unavoidable; arthe -- in the matter; na -- do not; tvam -- you; socitum -- to lament; arhasi -- deserve.

One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.

avyakta-adini -- in the beginning unmanifested; bhutani -- all that are created; vyakta -- manifested; madhyani -- in the middle; bharata -- O descendant of Bharata; avyakta -- nonmanifested; nidhanani -- when vanquished; eva -- it is all like that; tatra -- therefore; ka -- what; paridevana -- lamentation.

All created beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their interim state, and unmanifest again when annihilated. So what need is there for lamentation?

ascarya-vat -- as amazing; pasyati -- sees; kascit -- someone; enam -- this soul; ascarya-vat -- as amazing; vadati -- speaks of; tatha -- thus; eva -- certainly; ca -- also; anyah -- another; ascarya-vat -- similarly amazing; ca -- also; enam -- this soul; anyah -- another; srnoti -- hears of; srutva -- having heard; api -- even; enam -- this soul; veda -- knows; na -- never; ca -- and; eva -- certainly; kascit -- someone.

Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.

dehi -- the owner of the material body; nityam -- eternally; avadhyah -- cannot be killed; ayam -- this soul; dehe -- in the body; sarvasya -- of everyone; bharata -- O descendant of Bharata; tasmat -- therefore; sarvani -- all; bhutani -- living entities (that are born); na -- never; tvam -- you; socitum -- to lament; arhasi -- deserve.

O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any living being.

sva-dharmam -- one's own religious principles; api -- also; ca -- indeed; aveksya -- considering; na -- never; vikampitum -- to hesitate; arhasi -- you deserve; dharmyat -- for religious principles; hi -- indeed; yuddhat -- than fighting; sreyah -- better engagement; anyat -- any other; ksatriyasya -- of the ksatriya; na -- does not; vidyate -- exist.

Considering your specific duty as a ksatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than fighting on religious principles; and so there is no need for hesitation.

yadrcchaya -- by its own accord; ca -- also; upapannam -- arrived at; svarga -- of the heavenly planets; dvaram -- door; apavrtam -- wide open; sukhinah -- very happy; ksatriyah -- the members of the royal order; partha -- O son of Prtha; labhante -- do achieve; yuddham -- war; idrsam -- like this.

O Partha, happy are the ksatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heavenly planets.

atha -- therefore; cet -- if; tvam -- you; imam -- this; dharmyam -- as a religious duty; sangramam -- fighting; na -- do not; karisyasi -- perform; tatah -- then; sva-dharmam -- your religious duty; kirtim -- reputation; ca -- also; hitva -- losing; papam -- sinful reaction; avapsyasi -- will gain.

If, however, you do not perform your religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.

akirtim -- infamy; ca -- also; api -- over and above; bhutani -- all people; kathayisyanti -- will speak; te -- of you; avyayam -- forever; sambhavitasya -- for a respectable man; ca -- also; akirtih -- ill fame; maranat -- than death; atiricyate -- becomes more.

People will always speak of your infamy, and for a respectable person, dishonor is worse than death.

bhayat -- out of fear; ranat -- from the battlefield; uparatam -- ceased; mamsyante -- they will consider; tvam -- you; maha-rathah -- the great generals; yesam -- for whom; ca -- also; tvam -- you; bahu-matah -- in great estimation; bhutva -- having been; yasyasi -- you will go; laghavam -- decreased in value.

The great generals who have highly esteemed your name and fame will think that you have left the battlefield out of fear only, and thus they will consider you insignificant.

avacya -- unkind; vadan -- fabricated words; ca -- also; bahun -- many; vadisyanti -- will say; tava -- your; ahitah -- enemies; nindantah -- while vilifying; tava -- your; samarthyam -- ability; tatah -- than that; duhkha-taram -- more painful; nu -- of course; kim -- what is there.

Your enemies will describe you in many unkind words and scorn your ability. What could be more painful for you?

hatah -- being killed; va -- either; prapsyasi -- you gain; svargam -- the heavenly kingdom; jitva -- by conquering; va -- or; bhoksyase -- you enjoy; mahim -- the world; tasmat -- therefore; uttistha -- get up; kaunteya -- O son of Kunti; yuddhaya -- to fight; krta -- determined; niscayah -- in certainty.

O son of Kunti, either you will be killed on the battlefield and attain the heavenly planets, or you will conquer and enjoy the earthly kingdom. Therefore, get up with determination and fight.

sukha -- happiness; duhkhe -- and distress; same -- in equanimity; krtva -- doing so; labha-alabhau -- both profit and loss; jaya-ajayau -- both victory and defeat; tatah -- thereafter; yuddhaya -- for the sake of fighting; yujyasva -- engage (fight); na -- never; evam -- in this way; papam -- sinful reaction; avapsyasi -- you will gain.

Do thou fight for the sake of fighting, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat -- and by so doing you shall never incur sin.

esa -- all this; te -- unto you; abhihita -- described; sankhye -- by analytical study; buddhih -- intelligence; yoge -- in work without fruitive result; tu -- but; imam -- this; srnu- just hear; buddhya -- by intelligence; yuktah -- dovetailed; yaya -- by which; partha -- O son of Prtha; karma-bandham -- bondage of reaction; prahasyasi -- you can be released from.

Thus far I have described this knowledge to you through analytical study. Now listen as I explain it in terms of working without fruitive results. O son of Prtha, when you act in such knowledge you can free yourself from the bondage of works.

na -- there is not; iha -- in this yoga; abhikrama -- in endeavoring; nasah -- loss; asti -- there is; pratyavayah -- diminution; na -- never; vidyate -- there is; su-alpam -- a little; api -- although; asya -- of this; dharmasya -- occupation; trayate -- releases; mahatah -- from very great; bhayat -- danger.

In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.

vyavasaya-atmika -- resolute in Krishna consciousness; buddhih -- intelligence; eka -- only one; iha -- in this world; kuru-nandana -- O beloved child of the Kurus; bahu-sakhah -- having various branches; hi -- indeed; anantah -- unlimited; ca -- also; buddhayah -- intelligence; avyavasayinam -- of those who are not in Krishna consciousness.

Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.

yam imam -- all these; puspitam -- flowery; vacam -- words; pravadanti -- say; avipascitah -- men with a poor fund of knowledge; veda-vada-ratah -- supposed followers of the Vedas; partha -- O son of Prtha; na -- never; anyat -- anything else; asti -- there is; iti -- thus; vadinah -- the advocates; kama-atmanah -- desirous of sense gratification; svarga-parah -- aiming to achieve heavenly planets; janma-karma-phala-pradam -- resulting in good birth and other fruitive reactions; kriya-visesa -- pompous ceremonies; bahulam -- various; bhoga -- in sense enjoyment; aisvarya -- and opulence; gatim -- progress; prati -- towards.

Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.

bhoga -- to material enjoyment; aisvarya -- and opulence; prasaktanam -- for those who are attached; taya -- by such things; apahrta-cetasam -- bewildered in mind; vyavasaya-atmika -- fixed in determination; buddhih -- devotional service to the Lord; samadhau -- in the controlled mind; na -- never; vidhiyate -- does take place.

In the minds of those who are too attached to sense enjoyment and material opulence, and who are bewildered by such things, the resolute determination for devotional service to the Supreme Lord does not take place.

trai-gunya -- pertaining to the three modes of material nature; visayah -- on the subject matter; vedah -- Vedic literatures; nistrai-gunyah -- transcendental to the three modes of material nature; bhava -- be; arjuna -- O Arjuna; nirdvandvah -- without duality; nitya-sattva-sthah -- in a pure state of spiritual existence; niryoga-ksemah -- free from ideas of gain and protection; atma-van -- established in the self.

The Vedas deal mainly with the subject of the three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.

yavan -- all that; arthah -- is meant; uda-pane -- in a well of water; sarvatah -- in all respects; sampluta-udake -- in a great reservoir of water; tavan -- similarly; sarvesu -- in all; vedesu -- Vedic literatures; brahmanasya -- of the man who knows the Supreme Brahman; vijanatah -- who is in complete knowledge.

All purposes served by a small well can at once be served by a great reservoir of water. Similarly, all the purposes of the Vedas can be served to one who knows the purpose behind them.

karmani -- in prescribed duties; eva -- certainly; adhikarah -- right; te -- of you; ma -- never; phalesu -- in the fruits; kadacana -- at any time; ma -- never; karma-phala -- in the result of the work; hetuh -- cause; bhuh -- become; ma -- never; te -- of you; sangah -- attachment; astu -- there should be; akarmani -- in not doing prescribed duties.

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

yoga-sthah -- equipoised; kuru -- perform; karmani -- your duties; sangam -- attachment; tyaktva -- giving up; dhananjaya -- O Arjuna; siddhi-asiddhyoh -- in success and failure; samah -- equipoised; bhutva -- becoming; samatvam -- equanimity; yogah -- yoga; ucyate -- is called.

Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.

durena -- discard it at a long distance; hi -- certainly; avaram -- abominable; karma -- activity; buddhi-yogat -- on the strength of Krishna consciousness; dhananjaya -- O conqueror of wealth; buddhau -- in such consciousness; saranam -- full surrender; anviccha -- try for; krpanah -- misers; phala-hetavah -- those desiring fruitive results.

O Dhananjaya, keep all abominable activities far distant by devotional service, and in that consciousness surrender unto the Lord. Those who want to enjoy the fruits of their work are misers.

buddhi-yuktah -- one who is engaged in devotional service; jahati -- can get rid of; iha -- in this life; ubhe -- both; sukrta-duskrte -- good and bad results; tasmat -- therefore; yogaya -- for the sake of devotional service; yujyasva -- be so engaged; yogah -- Krishna consciousness; karmasu -- in all activities; kausalam -- art.

A man engaged in devotional service rids himself of both good and bad actions even in this life. Therefore strive for yoga, which is the art of all work.

karma-jam -- due to fruitive activities; buddhi-yuktah -- being engaged in devotional service; hi -- certainly; phalam -- results; tyaktva -- giving up; manisinah -- great sages or devotees; janma-bandha -- from the bondage of birth and death; vinirmuktah -- liberated; padam -- position; gacchanti -- they reach; anamayam -- without miseries.

By thus engaging in devotional service to the Lord, great sages or devotees free themselves from the results of work in the material world. In this way they become free from the cycle of birth and death and attain the state beyond all miseries.

yada -- when; te -- your; moha -- of illusion; kalilam -- dense forest; buddhih -- transcendental service with intelligence; vyatitarisyati -- surpasses; tada -- at that time; ganta asi -- you shall go; nirvedam -- callousness; srotavyasya -- toward all that is to be heard; srutasya -- all that is already heard; ca -- also.

When your intelligence has passed out of the dense forest of delusion, you shall become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is to be heard.

sruti -- of Vedic revelation; vipratipanna -- without being influenced by the fruitive results; te -- your; yada -- when; sthasyati -- remains; niscala -- unmoved; samadhau -- in transcendental consciousness, or Krishna consciousness; acala -- unflinching; buddhih -- intelligence; tada -- at that time; yogam -- self-realization; avapsyasi -- you will achieve.

When your mind is no longer disturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas, and when it remains fixed in the trance of self-realization, then you will have attained the divine consciousness.

arjunah uvaca -- Arjuna said; sthita-prajnasya -- of one who is constantly situated in God; ka -- what; bhasa -- language; samadhi-sthasya -- of one situated in trance; kesava -- O Krishna; sthita-dhih -- one fixed in Krishna consciousness; kim -- what; prabhaseta -- speaks; kim -- how; asita -- does remain still; vrajeta -- walks; kim -- how.

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what are the symptoms of one whose consciousness is thus merged in transcendence? How does he speak, and what is his language? How does he sit, and how does he walk?

sri-bhagavan uvaca -- The Supreme said; prajahati -- gives up; yada -- when; kaman -- desires for sense gratification; sarvan -- of all varieties; partha -- O son of Prtha; manah-gatan -- of mental concoction; atmani -- in the pure state of the soul; eva -- certainly; atmana -- by the purified mind; tustah -- satisfied; sthita-prajnah -- transcendentally situated; tada -- at that time; ucyate -- is said.

The Supreme said: O Partha, when a man gives up all varieties of desire for sense gratification, which arise from mental concoction, and when his mind, thus purified, finds satisfaction in the self alone, then he is said to be in pure transcendental consciousness.

duhkhesu -- in the threefold miseries; anudvigna-manah -- without being agitated in mind; sukhesu -- in happiness; vigata-sprhah -- without being interested; vita -- free from; raga -- attachment; bhaya -- fear; krodhah -- and anger; sthita-dhih -- whose mind is steady; munih -- a sage; ucyate -- is called.

One who is not disturbed in mind even amidst the threefold miseries or elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.

yah -- one who; sarvatra -- everywhere; anabhisnehah -- without affection; tat -- that; tat -- that; prapya -- achieving; subha -- good; asubham -- evil; na -- never; abhinandati -- praises; na -- never; dvesti -- envies; tasya -- his; prajna -- perfect knowledge; pratisthita -- fixed.

In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.

yada -- when; samharate -- winds up; ca -- also; ayam -- he; kurmah -- tortoise; angani -- limbs; iva -- like; sarvasah -- altogether; indriyani -- senses; indriya-arthebhyah -- from the sense objects; tasya -- his; prajna -- consciousness; pratisthita -- fixed.

One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness.

visayah -- objects for sense enjoyment; vinivartante -- are practiced to be refrained from; niraharasya -- by negative restrictions; dehinah -- for the embodied; rasa-varjam -- giving up the taste; rasah -- sense of enjoyment; api -- although there is; asya -- his; param -- far superior things; drstva -- by experiencing; nivartate -- he ceases from.

The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.

yatatah -- while endeavoring; hi -- certainly; api -- in spite of; kaunteya -- O son of Kunti; purusasya -- of a man; vipascitah -- full of discriminating knowledge; indriyani -- the senses; pramathini -- agitating; haranti -- throw; prasabham -- by force; manah -- the mind.

The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.

tani -- those senses; sarvani -- all; samyamya -- keeping under control; yuktah -- engaged; asita -- should be situated; mat-parah -- in relationship with Me; vase -- in full subjugation; hi -- certainly; yasya -- one whose; indriyani -- senses; tasya -- his; prajna -- consciousness; pratisthita -- fixed.

One who restrains his senses, keeping them under full control, and fixes his consciousness upon Me, is known as a man of steady intelligence.

dhyayatah -- while contemplating; visayan -- sense objects; pumsah -- of a person; sangah -- attachment; tesu -- in the sense objects; upajayate -- develops; sangat -- from attachment; sanjayate -- develops; kamah -- desire; kamat -- from desire; krodhah -- anger; abhijayate -- becomes manifest.

While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.

krodhat -- from anger; bhavati -- takes place; sammohah -- perfect illusion; sammohat -- from illusion; smrti -- of memory; vibhramah -- bewilderment; smrti-bhramsat -- after bewilderment of memory; buddhi-nasah -- loss of intelligence; buddhi-nasat -- and from loss of intelligence; pranasyati -- one falls down.

From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.

raga -- attachment; dvesa -- and detachment; vimuktaih -- by one who has become free from; tu -- but; visayan -- sense objects; indriyaih -- by the senses; caran -- acting upon; atma-vasyaih -- under one's control; vidheya-atma -- one who follows regulated freedom; prasadam -- the mercy of the Lord; adhigacchati -- attains.

But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord.

prasade -- on achievement of the causeless mercy of the Lord; sarva -- of all; duhkhanam -- material miseries; hanih -- destruction; asya -- his; upajayate -- takes place; prasanna-cetasah -- of the happy-minded; hi -- certainly; asu -- very soon; buddhih -- intelligence; pari -- sufficiently; avatisthate -- becomes established.

For one thus satisfied, the threefold miseries of material existence exist no longer; in such satisfied consciousness, one's intelligence is soon well established.

na asti -- there cannot be; buddhih -- transcendental intelligence; ayuktasya -- of one who is not connected; na -- not; ca -- and; ayuktasya -- of one devoid of God consciousness; bhavana -- fixed mind (in happiness); na -- not; ca -- and; abhavayatah -- of one who is not fixed; santih -- peace; asantasya -- of the unpeaceful; kutah -- where is; sukham -- happiness.

One who is not connected with the Supreme can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?

indriyanam -- of the senses; hi -- certainly; caratam -- while roaming; yat -- with which; manah -- the mind; anuvidhiyate -- becomes constantly engaged; tat -- that; asya -- his; harati -- takes away; prajnam -- intelligence; vayuh -- wind; navam -- a boat; iva -- like; ambhasi -- on the water.

As a boat on the water is swept away by a strong wind, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence.

tasmat -- therefore; yasya -- whose; maha-baho -- O mighty-armed one; nigrhitani -- so curbed down; sarvasah -- all around; indriyani -- the senses; indriya-arthebhyah -- from sense objects; tasya -- his; prajna -- intelligence; pratisthita -- fixed.

Therefore, O mighty-armed, one whose senses are restrained from their objects is certainly of steady intelligence.

ya -- what; nisa -- is night; sarva -- all; bhutanam -- of living entities; tasyam -- in that; jagarti -- is wakeful; samyami -- the self-controlled; yasyam -- in which; jagrati -- are awake; bhutani -- all beings; sa -- that is; nisa -- night; pasyatah -- for the introspective; muneh -- sage.

What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.

apuryamanam -- always being filled; acala-pratistham -- steadily situated; samudram -- the ocean; apah -- waters; pravisanti -- enter; yadvat -- as; tadvat -- so; kamah -- desires; yam -- unto whom; pravisanti -- enter; sarve -- all; sah -- that person; santim -- peace; apnoti -- achieves; na -- not; kama-kami -- one who desires to fulfill desires.

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires -- that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still -- can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.

vihaya -- giving up; kaman -- material desires for sense gratification; yah -- who; sarvan -- all; puman -- a person; carati -- lives; nihsprhah -- desireless; nirmamah -- without a sense of proprietorship; nirahankarah -- without false ego; sah -- he; santim -- perfect peace; adhigacchati -- attains.

A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego -- he alone can attain real peace.

esa -- this; brahmi -- spiritual; sthitih -- situation; partha -- O son of Prtha; na -- never; enam -- this; prapya -- achieving; vimuhyati -- one is bewildered; sthitva -- being situated; asyam -- in this; anta-kale -- at the end of life; api -- also; brahma-nirvanam -- the spiritual kingdom of God; rcchati -- one attains.

That is the way of the spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is not bewildered. If one is thus situated even at the hour of death, one can enter into the kingdom of God.