Bhagavad Gita 18.30 · Krishna
Clear understanding
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये।
बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी॥
pravṛttiṃ ca nivṛttiṃ ca kāryākārye bhayābhayebandhaṃ mokṣaṃ ca yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī
Understanding that knows when to act and when to stop, what to fear and not fear, what binds and what frees, is clear.
Words
- buddhi
- mokṣa
What it means
Krishna describes sattvic buddhi. It knows when to act and when to hold back. What to do and what not to do. What's truly worth fearing, and what isn't. What traps us, and what leads to moksha, freedom. It's a mind that sees the situation as it is.
The story
This is the understanding Arjuna lacked at the start. Now, after eighteen chapters, he's beginning to see clearly what to do, and what not to fear.
In your life
Imagine a calm friend who helped you see that the thing you feared wasn't the real danger. Write down one thing you're afraid of, and ask if it's truly worth fearing.
Clear understanding sees what truly matters.