In Bhagavad Gita 18.54, Krishna says one who has become Brahman, serene, neither grieves nor desires; equal to all beings, he attains supreme devotion to him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा
न शोचति न काङ्क्षति
समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु
मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ॥ १८-५४ ॥
brahmabhūtaḥ prasannātmā
na śocati na kāṅkṣati
samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu
madbhaktiṃ labhate parām
English transliteration brahmabhootah prasannaatmaa
na shochati na kaankshati
samah sarveshu bhooteshu
madbhaktim labhate paraam ॥ 18.54 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Having become one with Brahman, serene in the Self, he neither grieves nor desires. Equal toward all beings, he attains supreme devotion to Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ब्रह्मभूतः brahmabhūtaḥ | having become one with Brahman brahma (Brahman) + bhūtaḥ (become) |
| प्रसन्नात्मा prasannātmā | serene in the Self prasanna (serene) + ātmā (Self) |
| न na | not |
| शोचति śocati | grieves |
| न na | not |
| काङ्क्षति kāṅkṣati | desires |
| समः samaḥ | equal |
| सर्वेषु sarveṣu | toward all |
| भूतेषु bhūteṣu | beings |
| मद्भक्तिम् madbhaktim | devotion to Me |
| लभते labhate | attains |
| पराम् parām | supreme |
Word-wise Chanting
- brah–ma–bhū–taḥ pra–san–nāt–mā 8 syllables brah-ma-bhoo-tah pra-san-naat-maa
- na śo–ca–ti na kāṅ–kṣa–ti | 8 syllables na sho-cha-ti na kaan-ksha-ti
- sa–maḥ sar–ve–ṣu bhū–te–ṣu 8 syllables sa-mah sar-ve-shu bhoo-te-shu
- mad–bhak–tiṃ la–bha–te pa–rām || 18-54 8 syllables mad-bhak-tim la-bha-te pa-raam
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 18 Verse 54
Context
Krishna describes the state of realisation (18.54–18.55).
Meaning
Brahma-bhūta, established in Brahman, one is prasannātmā, serene; free of grief and craving; and sama, equal, toward all beings. In this state, one attains parā bhakti, supreme devotion. Knowledge culminates in love.
Many expect realisation to end devotion. The Gita says the opposite: the highest knowledge opens into the highest love.
In Practice
Let your understanding of unity deepen your love for the Divine and for all beings.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). 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.