Wisdom

Dehino'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara, tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati

As the embodied soul continuously passes through childhood, youth, and old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.

Duhkhesv anudvigna-manah sukhesu vigata-sprhah, vita-raga-bhaya-krodhah sthita-dhir munir ucyate

One who is not disturbed in spite of miseries, who doesn't crave happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.

Apuryamanam acala-pratistham samudram apah pravishanti yadvat, tadvat kama yam pravishanti sarve sa shantim apnoti na kama-kami

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean which is being filled but is always being still—can alone achieve peace, and not the person who strives to satisfy such desires.

Prakriteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvashah, ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate

The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature.

Karmany akarma yah pashyed akarmani ca karma yah, sa buddhiman manushyeshu sa yuktah krtsna-karma-krt

One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among people. They are in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.

Na hi jnanena sadrisham pavitram iha vidyate, tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah kalenatmani vindati

In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. One who has become accomplished in yoga finds it within their own self in due course of time.

Vidya-vinaya-sampanne brahmane gavi hastini, shuni caiva shvapake ca panditah sama-darshinah

The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater.

Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate, vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah

After many births and deaths, one with true knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

Yada sanharate cayam kurmo 'nganiva sarvashah, indriyanindriyarthebhyas tasya prajna pratishthita

One who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is established in divine wisdom.

Vedeshu yajneshu tapahsu chaiva daneshu yat punya-phalam pradishtam, atyeti tat sarvam idam viditva yogi param sthanam upaiti chadyam

The yogi who knows this truth surpasses all rewards from studying the Vedas, performing sacrifices, austerities, and giving charity, and attains the supreme primordial abode.

Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate, iti matva bhajante mam budha bhava-samanvitah

I am the source of all creation, and everything proceeds from Me. Understanding this, the wise worship Me with great faith and devotion.

Kshetra-jnam chapi mam viddhi sarva-kshetreshu bharata, kshetra-kshetrajnayor jnanam yat taj jnanam matam mama

O Arjuna, understand that I am the knower of the field in all fields. Knowledge of the field and its knower I regard as true knowledge.

Iti te jnanam akhyatam guhyad guhyataram maya, vimrishyaitad asheshena yathecchasi tatha kuru

Thus, I have explained to you this knowledge that is more secret than all secrets. Ponder over it deeply, and then do as you wish.

Buddhi-yukto jahatiha ubhe sukrita-dushkrite, tasmad yogaya yujyasva yogah karmasu kaushalam

One who practices yoga of the intellect abandons both good and bad deeds in this life. Therefore, strive for yoga. Yoga is skill in action.

Tasmad yasya maha-baho nigrhitani sarvashah, indriyanindriyarthebhyas tasya prajna pratishthita

Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects is established in steady wisdom.