In Bhagavad Gita 18.59, Krishna says if, relying on ego, Arjuna thinks “I will not fight,” his resolve is in vain, for his nature will compel him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य
न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे
मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते
प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥ १८-५९ ॥
yadahaṅkāramāśritya
na yotsya iti manyase
mithyaiṣa vyavasāyaste
prakṛtistvāṃ niyokṣyati
English transliteration yadahankaaramaashritya
na yotsya iti manyase
mithyaisha vyavasaayaste
prakritistvaam niyokshyati ॥ 18.59 ॥
Translation / Meaning
If, relying on egoism, you think, “I will not fight,” your resolve is in vain. Your own nature will compel you.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यत् yat | if |
| अहङ्कारम् ahaṅkāram | egoism |
| आश्रित्य āśritya | relying on |
| न na | not |
| योत्स्ये yotsye | I will fight |
| इति iti | thus |
| मन्यसे manyase | you think |
| मिथ्या mithyā | in vain |
| एषः eṣaḥ | this |
| व्यवसायः vyavasāyaḥ | resolve |
| ते te | your |
| प्रकृतिः prakṛtiḥ | nature |
| त्वाम् tvām | you |
| नियोक्ष्यति niyokṣyati | will compel |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–da–haṅ–kā–ra–māś–rit–ya 8 syllables ya-da-han-kaa-ra-maash-rit-ya
- na yot–sya i–ti man–ya–se | 8 syllables na yot-sya i-ti man-ya-se
- mith–yai–ṣa vya–va–sā–yas–te 8 syllables mith-yai-sha vya-va-saa-yas-te
- pra–kṛ–tis–tvāṃ ni–yokṣ–ya–ti || 18-59 8 syllables pra-kri-tis-tvaam ni-yoksh-ya-ti
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 59
Context
Krishna explains that nature cannot be suppressed by ego (18.59–18.60).
Meaning
Arjuna’s decision not to fight comes from ahaṅkāra, not wisdom. Such a resolve is mithyā, false and futile, because his prakṛti, his warrior nature, will eventually compel him to act.
Suppressing our true nature from ego does not work. It is better to act according to our nature in a right spirit.
In Practice
Notice where you resist your genuine calling out of fear or pride.
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.