In Bhagavad Gita 2.72, the last verse of Chapter 2, Krishna calls this the Brahmic state: whoever attains it is never deluded, and established in it even at death, one reaches Brahma-nirvana.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
एषा ब्राह्मी स्थितिः पार्थ
नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति
स्थित्वास्यामन्तकालेऽपि
ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृच्छति ॥ २-७२ ॥
eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ pārtha
naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati
sthitvāsyāmantakāle’pi
brahmanirvāṇamṛcchati
English transliteration eshaa braahmee sthitih paartha
nainaam praapya vimuhyati
sthitvaasyaamantakaale’pi
brahmanirvaanamrichchhati ॥ 2.72 ॥
Translation / Meaning
This is the state of Brahman, O Partha. Having attained it, one is no longer deluded. Being established in it even at the hour of death, one attains liberation in Brahman.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| एषा eṣā | this |
| ब्राह्मी brāhmī | of Brahman |
| स्थितिः sthitiḥ | state |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| न na | not |
| एनाम् enām | this |
| प्राप्य prāpya | attaining |
| विमुह्यति vimuhyati | is deluded |
| स्थित्वा sthitvā | being established |
| अस्याम् asyām | in this |
| अन्तकाले antakāle | at the time of death anta (end) + kāle (at the time) |
| अपि api | even |
| ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् brahmanirvāṇam | liberation in Brahman brahma (Brahman) + nirvāṇam (liberation, extinction of separateness) |
| ऋच्छति ṛcchati | attains |
Word-wise Chanting
- e–ṣā brāh–mī sthi–tiḥ pār–tha 8 syllables e-shaa braah-mee sthi-tih paar-tha
- nai–nāṃ prāp–ya vi–muh–ya–ti | 8 syllables nai-naam praap-ya vi-muh-ya-ti
- sthit–vās–yā–man–ta–kā–le–‘pi 8 syllables sthit-vaas-yaa-man-ta-kaa-le-‘pi
- brah–ma–nir–vā–ṇa–mṛc–cha–ti || 2-72 8 syllables brah-ma-nir-vaa-na-mrich-chha-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 2 Verse 72
Context
The final verse of Chapter 2 seals Krishna’s description of the person of steady wisdom (2.55–2.72).
Meaning
Krishna calls the state he has described brāhmī sthiti, the state of Brahman, the Absolute. One who reaches it is no longer subject to moha, the delusion that started Arjuna’s crisis. Even if one attains it only at the moment of death, one reaches brahma-nirvāṇa, the extinction of separate existence in the infinite.
The chapter that began with Arjuna’s confusion ends with a vision of perfect clarity. The path is now laid out: knowledge of the Self, action without attachment, steadiness of wisdom. The rest of the Gita will expand on each of these. The promise is that this state is attainable, and that it is the end of all delusion.
In Practice
End your day by recalling one moment in which you felt clear and free. Rest in that feeling, trusting that it points to your true nature.
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.