1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

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 ›
Liberation & destinyChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.692.71

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.70

Peace and the state of Brahman

Jīva · The soul

आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं

समुद्रमापः प्रविशन्ति यद्वत् ।

तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे

स शान्तिमाप्‍नोति न कामकामी ॥ ७० ॥

āpūryamāṇam acala-pratiṣṭhaṁ

samudram āpaḥ praviśanti yadvat

tadvat kāmā yaṁ praviśanti sarve

sa śāntim āpnoti na kāma-kāmī

Translation

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.

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

Steady Like the Ocean

  1. 1

    Only one who stays undisturbed by desires, like an ocean receiving rivers, finds peace—not one who tries to satisfy them.

  2. 2

    Bodily desires continue, but a person fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness stays steady, knowing the Lord meets his needs.

  3. 3

    Devotees find full peace through satisfaction in loving service to Kṛṣṇa, without seeking material gain or even liberation.

Key points from the purport

Krishna gives a second analogy — Rivers into the ocean

Self-realized person is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires that enter, just like rivers enter into the ocean which is ever being filled but is always still

This is the platform of real peace

a

Krishna conscious person is full because the Lord fulfils all his material necessities therefore he is always full like the ocean

b

Proof of Krishna conscious man

Lost all inclination for sense gratification although desires are present

He is steady like the ocean because he remains satisfied in transcendental loving service and thus achieves real peace

He enjoys full peace – On the contrary: Bhukti (fruitive workers), Mukti (Salvationist) and Siddhi-Kaami (yogis) never attain peace

Connected verses · 1

Texts 2.69 & 2.70

Unlike common man, actions of Buddhi-yoga are not driven by selfish desire. Krishna now gives an example to illustrate this nature of sthita-prajna (self-realised soul)

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. āpūryamāṇamalways being filled
  2. acala-pratiṣṭhamsteadily situated
  3. samudramthe ocean
  4. āpaḥwaters
  5. praviśantienter
  6. yadvatas
  7. tadvatso
  8. kāmāḥdesires
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: mokṣa, dhāma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.70 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to liberation & destiny?

Practice

Reflect on what you want to remember at life's end.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.69Peace and the state of BrahmanBG 2.71Peace and the state of Brahman
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
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction