Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 54

English Translation

Arjuna said O kesava, what is the description of a man of steady wisdom who is Self-absorbed? How does the man of steady wisdom speak? How does he sit? How does he move about?

Detailed Commentary

Commentary: Here, the questions Arjuna posed regarding the *Sthitaprajña* arise after doubts concerning *karma* (action) and *buddhi* (intellect) were generated in Arjuna's mind. The Lord stated in verses fifty-two and fifty-three that when your intellect transcends delusion (*moha*) and scriptural bewilderment (*śrutivipratipatti*), then you will attain Yoga. Hearing this, a curiosity arose in Arjuna's mind: "When I attain Yoga, when my intellect becomes steady, what will be my characteristics?" Therefore, Arjuna first asked his personal doubt, and the second doubt, concerning the principle related to *karma* and *buddhi*, Arjuna asked after the characteristics of the *Sthitaprajña* were described (in 3.12). If Arjuna had posed the question about the principle right here in verse fifty-four, then the opportunity to ask about the *Sthitaprajña* would have been much delayed. '*Samādhisthasya*' -- For the person who has attained the Supreme Self (*Paramātmā*), the word '*samādhistha*' is used here. '*Sthitaprajñasya*' -- This term signifies both a spiritual aspirant (*sādhaka*) and a realized soul (*siddha*). One whose resolve is firm, who never deviates from the spiritual path (*sādhana*), such an aspirant (*sādhaka*) is also a *Sthitaprajña*; and one whose intellect has become steady due to the experience of the Supreme Truth (*Paramātma Tattva*), such a realized soul (*siddha*) is also a *Sthitaprajña*. Here, the word '*Sthitaprajña*' includes both the *sādhaka* and the *siddha*. Earlier, from verses forty-one to forty-five, and from forty-seven to fifty-three, aspirants (*sādhakas*) have been described; therefore, in the subsequent verses, along with the characteristics of the *siddha*, those of the *sādhaka* are also described. Here, a doubt arises: Arjuna had specifically asked about the realized *Sthitaprajña* through '*samādhisthasya*', but why did the Lord include characteristics of *sādhakas* in the description of the *Sthitaprajña*? The resolution for this is that for a *Jñāna-yogī* aspirant (*sādhaka*), detachment from actions (*karmas*) usually occurs even in the stage of spiritual practice (*sādhana avasthā*). In the realized state (*siddha avasthā*), he becomes especially detached from actions. Even for a *Bhakti-yogī* aspirant (*sādhaka*) in the stage of spiritual practice (*sādhana avasthā*), there is an interest in divine actions (*Bhagavat-sambandhī karma*) such as *japa*, meditation (*dhyāna*), holy company (*satsang*), and self-study of scriptures (*svādhyāya*), and these are abundant. In the realized state (*siddha avasthā*), divine actions occur in a special manner. Thus, there arises a difference between the *Jñāna-yogī* and *Bhakti-yogī* in their aspirant and realized states, but for the *Karma-yogī*, there is no difference between the two states. His flow of action continues as it is. Because in the aspirant stage (*sādhana avasthā*), his flow of action was present, and actions themselves are the cause for ascending to Yoga. Therefore, in describing the characteristics of the *siddha*, the Lord has also described the means (*sādhana*) by which an aspirant (*sādhaka*) can become realized, and the characteristics of those who are already realized. '*Kā bhāṣā*' -- By what words is a person whose intellect is steady and established in the Supreme Self spoken of? i.e., what are his characteristics? (The Lord has given the answer to this in the next verse.) '*Sthitadhīḥ kiṁ prabhāṣeta*' -- How does that steady-intellected person speak? (The Lord has given the answer to this in verses fifty-six and fifty-seven.) '*Kimāsīta*' -- How does he sit/remain? i.e., how does he withdraw from the world? (The Lord has given the answer to this from verses fifty-eight to sixty-three.) '*Vrajeta kim*' -- How does he move/conduct himself? i.e., how does he behave? (The Lord has given the answer to this from verses sixty-four to seventy-one.) Connection -- Now the Lord answers Arjuna's first question in the next verse.