In Bhagavad Gita 2.53, Krishna says that when Arjuna’s intellect, now confused by conflicting teachings, becomes firm and unmoving in samadhi, he will attain yoga.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते
यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला
समाधावचला बुद्धिस्
तदा योगमवाप्स्यसि ॥ २-५३ ॥
śrutivipratipannā te
yadā sthāsyati niścalā
samādhāvacalā buddhis
tadā yogamavāpsyasi
English transliteration shrutivipratipannaa te
yadaa sthaasyati nishchalaa
samaadhaavachalaa buddhis
tadaa yogamavaapsyasi ॥ 2.53 ॥
Translation / Meaning
When your intellect, now confused by conflicting teachings, stands firm and unmoving in deep meditation, then you will attain yoga.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना śrutivipratipannā | confused by conflicting teachings śruti (what is heard, scripture) + vipratipannā (confused) |
| ते te | your |
| यदा yadā | when |
| स्थास्यति sthāsyati | will stand |
| निश्चला niścalā | unmoving |
| समाधौ samādhau | in samādhi |
| अचला acalā | steady |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | intellect |
| तदा tadā | then |
| योगम् yogam | yoga |
| अवाप्स्यसि avāpsyasi | you will attain |
Word-wise Chanting
- śru–ti–vip–ra–ti–pan–nā te 8 syllables shru-ti-vip-ra-ti-pan-naa te
- ya–dā sthās–ya–ti niś–ca–lā | 8 syllables ya-daa sthaas-ya-ti nish-cha-laa
- sa–mā–dhā–va–ca–lā bud–dhis– 8 syllables sa-maa-dhaa-va-cha-laa bud-dhis-
- ta–dā yo–ga–ma–vāp–sya–si || 2-53 8 syllables ta-daa yo-ga-ma-vaap-sya-si
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 53
Context
Krishna completes his teaching on buddhi-yoga (2.39–2.53). Arjuna will now ask about the person of steady wisdom.
Meaning
Arjuna’s mind has been confused by conflicting ideas: duty to family, duty as a warrior, teachings on sin and reward. Krishna says that when the intellect stops being pulled between such views and rests, firm and unmoving, in samādhi, then yoga is attained. Samādhi here is a stable absorption of the mind in truth.
The verse addresses a common modern experience as well: being overwhelmed by conflicting opinions and teachings. The answer is not to collect more opinions but to find inner stillness, from which clarity arises. A steady mind can listen to many voices without being torn apart by them.
In Practice
When you feel pulled by conflicting advice, stop gathering more. Sit quietly for ten minutes, let the mind settle, and then notice what feels true.
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.