In Bhagavad Gita 2.52, Krishna says that when Arjuna’s intellect crosses the mire of delusion, he will become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is yet to be heard.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यदा ते मोहकलिलं
बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति
तदा गन्तासि निर्वेदं
श्रोतव्यस्य श्रुतस्य च ॥ २-५२ ॥
yadā te mohakalilaṃ
buddhirvyatitariṣyati
tadā gantāsi nirvedaṃ
śrotavyasya śrutasya ca
English transliteration yadaa te mohakalilam
buddhirvyatitarishyati
tadaa gantaasi nirvedam
shrotavyasya shrutasya cha ॥ 2.52 ॥
Translation / Meaning
When your intellect crosses beyond the mire of delusion, then you will become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is yet to be heard.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यदा yadā | when |
| ते te | your |
| मोहकलिलम् mohakalilam | the mire of delusion moha (delusion) + kalilam (mire, tangle) |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | intellect |
| व्यतितरिष्यति vyatitariṣyati | will cross beyond |
| तदा tadā | then |
| गन्तासि gantāsi | you will attain |
| निर्वेदम् nirvedam | indifference, dispassion |
| श्रोतव्यस्य śrotavyasya | of what is to be heard |
| श्रुतस्य śrutasya | of what has been heard |
| च ca | and |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–dā te mo–ha–ka–li–laṃ 8 syllables ya-daa te mo-ha-ka-li-lam
- bud–dhir–vya–ti–ta–riṣ–ya–ti | 8 syllables bud-dhir-vya-ti-ta-rish-ya-ti
- ta–dā gan–tā–si nir–ve–daṃ 8 syllables ta-daa gan-taa-si nir-ve-dam
- śro–tav–yas–ya śru–tas–ya ca || 2-52 8 syllables shro-tav-yas-ya shru-tas-ya 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 2 Verse 52
Context
Krishna describes the inner change that leads to the state beyond sorrow (2.51).
Meaning
Moha-kalila, the mire of delusion, describes a mind tangled in confusion and attachment. When understanding crosses this swamp, a natural dispassion arises toward all the promises of reward, whether already heard or yet to be heard. The attractions that once pulled the mind lose their power.
This is not a cynical indifference but the calm of maturity. When we see clearly, we no longer need endless new teachings, promises or stimulations. We have found what we were looking for. Spiritual growth often shows itself as a quiet loss of interest in things that once seemed important.
In Practice
Notice something that once excited you but now feels less important. Reflect on what deeper understanding has replaced it.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). 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.