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

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

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.71

Peace and the state of Brahman

Jīva · The soul

विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः ।

निर्ममो निरहङ्कार स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥ ७१ ॥

vihāya kāmān yaḥ sarvān

pumāṁś carati niḥspṛhaḥ

nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ

sa śāntim adhigacchati

Translation

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.

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

Real Desirelessness and Peace

  1. 1

    Only one who gives up desires for sense pleasure, claims of ownership, and false ego can attain real peace.

  2. 2

    Desirelessness means desiring to please Kṛṣṇa, not trying to stop all desires.

  3. 3

    We are Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servants. Everything belongs to Him and should be used for His satisfaction. This understanding brings real peace.

Key points from the purport

Platform of ‘actual desirelessness’ — Activities of Bhakti-yoga are free from false ego and sense of proprietorship – thus one can attain real peace

Actual desirelessness — Desire for satisfaction of Krishna, not an artificial attempt to abolish desires

a

Living entity can never be desireless — But can change quality of desires

b

Knowledge of materially desireless person

Knows Isavasyam idam sarvam (Krishna is the Supreme proprietor

This transcendental knowledge is based on self-realisation – namely,

Knowing perfectly well that every living entity is an eternal part and parcel of Krishna in spiritual identity,

And that the eternal position of the living entity is therefore never on the level of Krishna or greater than Him.

This understanding of Krishna consciousness is the basic principle of real peace.

c

Actual desirelessness in conclusion — Desire for becoming Krishna conscious is actual desirelessness

d

Perfect stage of Krishna consciousness

Knowing one’s actual position as an eternal servitor – basic principle of real peace

Free from false ego – Without falsely claiming material body as oneself

Free from proprietorship – Without falsely claiming proprietorship over anything in this world

Krishna as the Supreme Proprietor – therefore uses everything for his satisfaction

e

Practical Application for Arjuna

He fought only for the satisfaction of Krishna to his best ability although he had no desire to fight

Connected verses · 1

Texts 2.71 & 2.72

This verse ends Krishna’s answer to the question — “How does he walk?” Krishna concludes Chapter 2 with a brief summary.

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. vihāyagiving up
  2. kāmānmaterial desires for sense gratification
  3. yaḥwho
  4. sarvānall
  5. pumāna person
  6. caratilives
  7. niḥspṛhaḥdesireless
  8. nirmamaḥwithout a sense of proprietorship
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 2.71 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.

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.