In Bhagavad Gita 2.66, Krishna says that the undisciplined have no wisdom and no meditation; without meditation there is no peace, and without peace, how can there be happiness?
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य
न चायुक्तस्य भावना
न चाभावयतः शान्तिर्
अशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम् ॥ २-६६ ॥
nāsti buddhirayuktasya
na cāyuktasya bhāvanā
na cābhāvayataḥ śāntir
aśāntasya kutaḥ sukham
English transliteration naasti buddhirayuktasya
na chaayuktasya bhaavanaa
na chaabhaavayatah shaantir
ashaantasya kutah sukham ॥ 2.66 ॥
Translation / Meaning
For one who is not disciplined there is no wisdom, nor any meditation. For one who does not meditate there is no peace, and for one without peace, how can there be happiness?
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| अस्ति asti | is |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | wisdom |
| अयुक्तस्य ayuktasya | of the undisciplined |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| अयुक्तस्य ayuktasya | of the undisciplined |
| भावना bhāvanā | meditation, contemplation |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| अभावयतः abhāvayataḥ | of one who does not meditate |
| शान्तिः śāntiḥ | peace |
| अशान्तस्य aśāntasya | of the peaceless |
| कुतः kutaḥ | where |
| सुखम् sukham | happiness |
Word-wise Chanting
- nās–ti bud–dhi–ra–yuk–tas–ya 8 syllables naas-ti bud-dhi-ra-yuk-tas-ya
- na cā–yuk–tas–ya bhā–va–nā | 8 syllables na chaa-yuk-tas-ya bhaa-va-naa
- na cā–bhā–va–ya–taḥ śān–tir– 8 syllables na chaa-bhaa-va-ya-tah shaan-tir-
- a–śān–tas–ya ku–taḥ su–kham || 2-66 8 syllables a-shaan-tas-ya ku-tah su-kham
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 66
Context
Krishna explains the opposite of 2.64–2.65 by showing what happens to the undisciplined mind.
Meaning
The verse traces a chain: without self-discipline, yoga, there is no wisdom; without wisdom, no bhāvanā, deep contemplation; without contemplation, no śānti, peace; and without peace, no sukha, true happiness. Happiness is the last link in a chain that begins with discipline.
This verse is a quiet challenge to the modern pursuit of happiness through pleasure and stimulation. The Gita says happiness rests on peace, and peace rests on an inner life that is gathered and contemplative. Without these foundations, pleasure cannot satisfy. Happiness is not found directly; it follows from a peaceful mind.
In Practice
Set aside ten minutes today for quiet contemplation without any device or distraction. Notice its effect on your peace for the rest of the day.
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.