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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Duty & actionChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.522.54

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.53

Work without attachment; steady intelligence

Jīva · The soul

श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला ।

समाधावचला बुद्धिस्तदा योगमवाप्स्यसि ॥ ५३ ॥

śruti-vipratipannā te

yadā sthāsyati niścalā

samādhāv acalā buddhis

tadā yogam avāpsyasi

Translation

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.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Fixed in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    You attain divine consciousness when your mind is undisturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas and stays fixed in self-realization.

  2. 2

    Full samādhi means fully realizing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The highest self-realization is knowing that you are Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servant.

  3. 3

    Do your duties in Kṛṣṇa consciousness by following the orders of Kṛṣṇa or His representative, the spiritual master.

Key points from the purport

Finally being fixed in Krishna consciousness / buddhi-yoga, one achieves ‘Samadhi’

Samadhi / Divine consciousness means

Realisation of one’s relationship with Krishna

He is no longer disturbed by flowery words of the Vedas (Divine consciousness)

a

“Highest perfection of Self-realisation” implies to realize oneself as an “Eternal Servitor of Krishna” and one’s only business is to discharge one’s duties in Krishna consciousness

b

How does a Krishna Consciousness person get instructions, if he neglects Vedic flowery language?

He comes directly in communion with Krishna by this process

Only one has to simply carry out the orders of the spiritual master and Krishna

Thus one is sure to achieve the results and attain conclusive knowledge SUMMARISED THEME 2E CHARACTERISTICS AND BENEFITS OF BUDDHI-YOGA (2.39 – 2.72)

1

Freedom from bondage of work (2.39)

2

No loss or diminution on this path (2.40)

3

Saves one from the greatest danger (2.40)

4

Resolute determination (2.41)

5

Freedom from good and bad reactions (2.50)

6

Freedom from cycle of birth and death (2.51)

7

Indifferent to Vedic rituals (2.52)

8

Realisation of relationship with Krishna as eternal servitor (Samadhi) (2.53)

9

Goes back to Godhead (2.72)

Further reading

Buddhi–Yoga — Fight!

FIGHT! But without any reaction – Niskarma-karma-yoga

One works (karma) with knowledge (jnana)

Thus detached from the fruit of his work

Chapter 2, section IV: Buddhi–Yoga — Fight!
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrutiof Vedic revelation
  2. vipratipannāwithout being influenced by the fruitive results
  3. teyour
  4. yadāwhen
  5. sthāsyatiremains
  6. niścalāunmoved
  7. samādhauin transcendental consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  8. acalāunflinching
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.53 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomesBG 2.48Work without attachment; steady intelligenceBG 3.21Leadership by example
Live this todayThe Art of All WorkA practice from BG 2.50, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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