Chapter 2 Verse 55
Sānkhya Yog
श्री भगवानुवाच प्रजहाति यदा कामान् सर्वान् पार्थ मनोगतान्। आत्मन्येवात्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञस्तदोच्यते।।2.55।।
śhrī bhagavān uvācha prajahāti yadā kāmān sarvān pārtha mano-gatān ātmany-evātmanā tuṣhṭaḥ sthita-prajñas tadochyate
Word Meanings
| śhrī-bhagavān uvācha | The Supreme Lord said |
| prajahāti | discards |
| yadā | when |
| kāmān | selfish desires |
| sarvān | all |
| pārtha | Arjun, the son of Pritha |
| manaḥ-gatān | of the mind |
| ātmani | of the self |
| eva | only |
| ātmanā | by the purified mind |
| tuṣhṭaḥ | satisfied |
| sthita-prajñaḥ | one with steady intellect |
| tadā | at that time |
| uchyate | is said |
Translation
The Blessed Lord said, "When a man completely casts off, O Arjuna, all the desires of the mind and is satisfied in the Self by the Self, then he is said to be one of steady wisdom."
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The verse says that a wise person gives up all mind-driven desires and finds satisfaction inside, from the Self itself. When inner cravings stop directing life, the mind becomes steady and clear.
This steady wisdom is not about becoming cold or inactive. It means your inner peace does not depend on things, praise, or results. A purified mind that rests in its true nature stays calm amid change.
Such steadiness lets you act with clarity and kindness, without being pushed or pulled by every wish. That inner satisfaction becomes the source of right action and calm judgment.
Life Application
- Notice one strong desire each day and practice pausing before you follow it; this builds freedom from impulse.
- Spend a few minutes in quiet or simple breathing to feel inner enoughness, so you rely less on external approval.
- Do your duties fully but let go of clinging to specific outcomes; focus on effort, not on reward.
Reflection Question
Which single desire, if let go of today, would make my mind more peaceful?