Bhagavad Gita 2.53 · Krishna
Steady amid many voices
श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला।
समाधावचला बुद्धिस्तदा योगमवाप्स्यसि॥
śrutivipratipannā te yadā sthāsyati niścalāsamādhāvacalā buddhistadā yogamavāpsyasi
When your mind, now confused by conflicting teachings, stands still and steady in meditation, then you will reach yoga.
Words
- buddhi
- yoga
- samādhi
What it means
Krishna admits Arjuna's mind is pulled by conflicting teachings. Duty says fight, family says don't. When buddhi becomes steady, unmoving in samadhi, deep stillness, then, Krishna says, you reach yoga. Yoga here is that inner steadiness, not a set of exercises.
The story
Arjuna is surrounded by competing voices. Elders, tradition, his own fears. Krishna doesn't add another voice. He points to the stillness underneath them, where Arjuna can finally hear himself clearly.
In your life
Picture someone facing a big medical decision, three doctors, three opinions. After all the advice, they sit in silence and feel what's right. Before your next big choice, take ten quiet minutes alone.
Stillness lets you hear yourself.