Bhagavad Gita 18.51 · Krishna
A clear mind, a steady will
बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च।
शब्दादीन्विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च॥
buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto dhṛtyātmānaṃ niyamya caśabdādīnviṣayāṃstyaktvā rāgadveṣau vyudasya ca
With a purified understanding, steadying the self with resolve, setting aside sounds and other objects, casting off liking and disliking...
Words
- buddhi
What it means
Krishna begins the final description. A clean, clear buddhi, understanding. The self steadied by firm resolve. Not being dragged around by sounds and sights. And setting aside raga and dvesha, liking and disliking. The pulls and pushes that run most of our lives fall quiet.
The story
Arjuna recognises this from earlier chapters. The steady mind of chapter two, the meditation of chapter six. It all comes together now.
In your life
Think of the quiet of a long walk with no headphones, when your thoughts finally settle. Take a twenty-minute walk this week with no phone. Notice what quietens.
Set down the pulls. Let the mind clear.