Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 54

English Translation

One who has become Brahman and has attained the blissful Self does not grieve or desire. Becoming the same towards all beings, he attains supreme devotion to Me.

Detailed Commentary

Explanation: **Brahma-bhūtaḥ** – When the importance of perishable objects ceases in the inner instrument (antahkarana), propensities like ego and pride become quiescent. This signifies their renunciation. Then, one also loses attachment (mamata) to the objects one possesses. In the absence of mamata, there is no accumulation of objects for pleasure and enjoyment. When this occurs, a natural peace arises in the inner instrument. Thus, when a seeker (sadhaka) rises above impermanent (asat) objects, he becomes worthy of attaining Brahman. Upon becoming worthy, his Brahma-bhūta state arises spontaneously. He does not need to do anything for this. In this state, the experience "I am of the nature of Brahman, and Brahman is my nature" arises. This is referred to here and in the Gita as Brahma-bhūtaḥ. **Prasannātmā** – When impermanent (asat) objects hold importance in the inner instrument, the desire to acquire them and unrest arise. However, when the importance of the perishable ceases, a natural cheerfulness (prasannatā) abides in the seeker's consciousness (chitta). With the cause of unhappiness eradicated, unhappiness never arises again, because in the seeker's inner instrument, the absence of the world and the presence of the Supreme Self (Paramātma tattva) remain unwavering. **Na śocati na kāṅkṣati** – The hallmark of that cheerfulness is that one neither grieves nor yearns. One is not saddened by any worldly loss and does not desire any particular situation. That is, the rise and fall of changing circumstances, objects, or persons do not affect one. How can circumstances affect one who is established in the Supreme Self (Paramātma)? **Samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu** – As long as a seeker experiences dualities (dvandvas) like joy-sorrow, attachment-aversion (rāga-dveṣa), etc., he cannot experience non-difference (abhinnatā) with the Supreme Self. When the seeker becomes free from dualities, a natural experience of non-difference with the Supreme Self arises. With non-difference from the Supreme Self, there remains no separate existence of "I am"; one remains equanimous (sama) in all beings. **Madbhaktiṁ labhate parām** – When a seeker experiences non-difference with the Supreme Self, a special attraction and love for the Supreme Self arise in him. This is called Parā Bhakti (supreme devotion). **Relation** – Now, in the following verse, the fruits of Parā Bhakti are described.