In Bhagavad Gita 2.59, Krishna explains that sense objects fall away from one who abstains, but the taste for them remains; even that taste disappears when the Supreme is seen.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
विषया विनिवर्तन्ते
निराहारस्य देहिनः
रसवर्जं रसोऽप्यस्य
परं दृष्ट्वा निवर्तते ॥ २-५९ ॥
viṣayā vinivartante
nirāhārasya dehinaḥ
rasavarjaṃ raso’pyasya
paraṃ dṛṣṭvā nivartate
English transliteration vishayaa vinivartante
niraahaarasya dehinah
rasavarjam raso’pyasya
param drishtvaa nivartate ॥ 2.59 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The objects of the senses turn away from the embodied one who abstains from them, but the taste for them remains. Even this taste falls away when the Supreme is seen.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| विषयाः viṣayāḥ | sense objects |
| विनिवर्तन्ते vinivartante | turn away |
| निराहारस्य nirāhārasya | of one who abstains nir (without) + āhārasya (of food, intake) |
| देहिनः dehinaḥ | of the embodied |
| रसवर्जम् rasavarjam | except the taste rasa (taste) + varjam (except) |
| रसः rasaḥ | the taste |
| अपि api | even |
| अस्य asya | his |
| परम् param | the Supreme |
| दृष्ट्वा dṛṣṭvā | having seen |
| निवर्तते nivartate | falls away |
Word-wise Chanting
- vi–ṣa–yā vi–ni–var–tan–te 8 syllables vi-sha-yaa vi-ni-var-tan-te
- ni–rā–hā–ras–ya de–hi–naḥ | 8 syllables ni-raa-haa-ras-ya de-hi-nah
- ra–sa–var–jaṃ ra–so–‘pyas–ya 8 syllables ra-sa-var-jam ra-so-‘pyas-ya
- pa–raṃ dṛṣ–ṭvā ni–var–ta–te || 2-59 8 syllables pa-ram drish-tvaa ni-var-ta-te
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 59
Context
Krishna adds an important qualification to the image of withdrawal in 2.58.
Meaning
Fasting or abstaining can keep the senses away from their objects, but the inner taste, the longing, remains. Abstinence alone does not uproot desire. Only when one has a direct experience of the Supreme does the taste for lesser things fall away naturally, as a child loses interest in toys when it finds something more absorbing.
This verse is deeply realistic about spiritual life. Forcing ourselves to give things up often leaves the craving intact or even stronger. Real freedom comes from a higher joy that makes lower attractions fade on their own. Discipline is useful, but realisation is what transforms.
In Practice
Instead of fighting a craving directly, give your attention today to something deeper and more fulfilling, such as prayer, nature or service, and notice what happens to the craving.
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.