In Bhagavad Gita 14.2, Krishna says those who take refuge in this knowledge attain his nature; they are not born at the time of creation nor disturbed at the time of dissolution.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इदं ज्ञानमुपाश्रित्य
मम साधर्म्यमागताः
सर्गेऽपि नोपजायन्ते
प्रलये न व्यथन्ति च ॥ १४-२ ॥
idaṃ jñānamupāśritya
mama sādharmyamāgatāḥ
sarge’pi nopajāyante
pralaye na vyathanti ca
English transliteration idam jnaanamupaashritya
mama saadharmyamaagataah
sarge’pi nopajaayante
pralaye na vyathanti cha ॥ 14.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Those who take refuge in this knowledge attain a nature like Mine. They are not born even at the time of creation, nor are they troubled at the time of dissolution.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इदम् idam | this |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| उपाश्रित्य upāśritya | taking refuge in |
| मम mama | My |
| साधर्म्यम् sādharmyam | a nature like sādharmya (likeness of nature) |
| आगताः āgatāḥ | attain |
| सर्गे sarge | at creation |
| अपि api | even |
| न na | not |
| उपजायन्ते upajāyante | are born |
| प्रलये pralaye | at dissolution |
| न na | not |
| व्यथन्ति vyathanti | are troubled |
| च ca | and |
Word-wise Chanting
- i–daṃ jñā–na–mu–pāś–rit–ya 8 syllables i-dam jnaa-na-mu-paash-rit-ya
- ma–ma sā–dhar–mya–mā–ga–tāḥ | 8 syllables ma-ma saa-dhar-mya-maa-ga-taah
- sar–ge–‘pi no–pa–jā–yan–te 8 syllables sar-ge-‘pi no-pa-jaa-yan-te
- pra–la–ye na vya–than–ti ca || 14-2 8 syllables pra-la-ye na vya-than-ti cha
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 14 Verse 2
Context
Krishna describes the fruit of this knowledge (continuing 14.1).
Meaning
Those who live by this knowledge attain sādharmya, likeness of nature with the Divine. They are no longer subject to the cosmic cycles: they are not reborn when a new creation begins, nor affected when the universe dissolves.
Liberation is described here as sharing the Divine’s freedom. Cosmic cycles continue, but the liberated are no longer carried by them.
In Practice
Reflect on the idea of being free from the cycles of change, and let it give you calm amid daily ups and downs.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Three Gunas). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.