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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 ›
Mind & yogaChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.652.67

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.66

How desire and the senses disturb the mind

Īśvara · God

नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना ।

न चाभावयतः शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम् ॥ ६६ ॥

nāsti buddhir ayuktasya

na cāyuktasya bhāvanā

na cābhāvayataḥ śāntir

aśāntasya kutaḥ sukham

Translation

One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Kṛṣṇa consciousness] 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?

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

Peace Through Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, there is no spiritual intelligence or steady mind, no peace, and therefore no happiness.

  2. 2

    Real peace comes from knowing Kṛṣṇa as the enjoyer of sacrifice and penance, the owner of everything, and everyone's true friend.

  3. 3

    Without an ultimate goal, the mind is disturbed. A relationship with Kṛṣṇa gives the mind a clear goal and brings peace.

Key points from the purport

No happiness and peace by lack of Krishna consciousness — By Krishna consciousness the mind becomes peaceful. But if one is not connected with the Supreme then,

Neither transcendental intelligence possible

Nor steady mind

Without steady mind, no possibility of peace

No happiness without peace

Connected verses · 2

Texts 2.65 & 2.66

What takes place when one lacks satisfaction in Krishna consciousness?

Texts 2.66 & 2.67

In the next verse Krishna explains ‘What happens if senses are not regulated by Krishna consciousness’

Further reading

Sthita–Prajna / Samadhi — Fight!

Become fixed in Krishna Consciousness

By working in Buddhi-yoga one attains ‘material detachment’ and the ‘equipoised platform of liberation’ called Samadhi

Chapter 2, section V: Sthita–Prajna / Samadhi — Fight!
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. na astithere cannot be
  2. buddhiḥtranscendental intelligence
  3. ayuktasyaof one who is not connected (with Kṛṣṇa consciousness)
  4. nanot
  5. caand
  6. ayuktasyaof one devoid of Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  7. bhāvanāfixed mind (in happiness)
  8. nanot
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: manas, indriya, yoga.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.66 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to mind & yoga?

Practice

Sit quietly for ten minutes and gently return the mind.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.62How desire and the senses disturb the mindBG 2.63How desire and the senses disturb the mindBG 6.35Practice and detachment
Live this todayUsing What We Have in ServiceA practice from BG 2.63, 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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