Bhagavad Gita 18.53 — Giving Up Ego, Desire, and Possessiveness to Become Fit for Brahman
अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् ।
विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥ १८.५३ ॥
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Having given up egoism, force, arrogance, desire, anger, and possessions, free from the sense of 'mine' and peaceful, one becomes fit for oneness with Brahman.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ahaṅkāram | egoism |
| balam | force, arrogant power |
| darpam | arrogance, pride |
| kāmam | desire, craving |
| krodham | anger |
| parigraham | possessions, possessiveness |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vimuchya | having given up |
| nirmamaḥ | free from the sense of 'mine' |
| śhāntaḥ | peaceful |
| brahmabhūyāya | for oneness with Brahman |
| kalpate | becomes fit |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ahaṅkāram | egoism | vimuchya | having given up |
| balam | force, arrogant power | nirmamaḥ | free from the sense of 'mine' |
| darpam | arrogance, pride | śhāntaḥ | peaceful |
| kāmam | desire, craving | brahmabhūyāya | for oneness with Brahman |
| krodham | anger | kalpate | becomes fit |
| parigraham | possessions, possessiveness | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna completes the description. By giving up ego, force, pride, desire, anger, and possessions, and by becoming free from the sense of ownership and perfectly peaceful, a person becomes fit for realising Brahman.
Essence
Letting go of what obscures the Self
This verse completes the three-verse sentence. After describing the positive disciplines, Lord Krishna now names what must be released. Each of the six items is a form of attachment to the sense of a small, separate self.
Ahaṅkāra (ego): The sense of being a separate doer, with my own importance, is the root from which the other items grow.
Bala (force, the pride of strength): This refers to relying on power, whether physical, social, or intellectual, to impose one's will on others. It is strength used for domination.
Darpa (arrogance, pride): This is an inflated self-image, a sense of superiority over others.
Kāma (desire): The constant craving for objects, experiences, and recognition keeps the mind restless.
Krodha (anger): This emerges when desire is frustrated, and it clouds judgment and harms relationships.
Parigraha (possessiveness, accumulation): This is the tendency to gather and hold on to things, and to treat them as part of oneself.
Nirmamaḥ (free from the sense of mine): After releasing these, the person is free from the feeling of ownership, the persistent mine that lies behind so much of our conflict.
Śāntaḥ (peaceful): The natural result is inner calm.
Brahma-bhūyāya kalpate (becomes fit for becoming one with Brahman): The person is now qualified for the highest realisation, since the obstacles to seeing the true nature of the Self have been removed.
Subtraction rather than addition
Notice that the final preparation is a process of letting go. The Self is not something that has to be created or acquired. It is already present, but it is hidden by ego, desire, anger, and possessiveness. As these are released, what remains is peace.
Message for Everyday Life (The Lightness of Letting Go)
Look at the six items and ask which of them is most active in your life at present. For many people, it is possessiveness of things or opinions, or the ego's need to be right.
A practice: Once a day, deliberately let go of something small. It may be an argument you do not need to win, an item you do not need to own, or a grudge you do not need to carry. Notice the feeling of lightness that follows.
Letting go of what obscures the Self
This verse completes the three-verse sentence. After describing the positive disciplines, Lord Krishna now names what must be released. Each of the six items is a form of attachment to the sense of a small, separate self.
Ahaṅkāra (ego): The sense of being a separate doer, with my own importance, is the root from which the other items grow.
Bala (force, the pride of strength): This refers to relying on power, whether physical, social, or intellectual, to impose one's will on others. It is strength used for domination.
Darpa (arrogance, pride): This is an inflated self-image, a sense of superiority over others.
Kāma (desire): The constant craving for objects, experiences, and recognition keeps the mind restless.
Krodha (anger): This emerges when desire is frustrated, and it clouds judgment and harms relationships.
Parigraha (possessiveness, accumulation): This is the tendency to gather and hold on to things, and to treat them as part of oneself.
Nirmamaḥ (free from the sense of mine): After releasing these, the person is free from the feeling of ownership, the persistent mine that lies behind so much of our conflict.
Śāntaḥ (peaceful): The natural result is inner calm.
Brahma-bhūyāya kalpate (becomes fit for becoming one with Brahman): The person is now qualified for the highest realisation, since the obstacles to seeing the true nature of the Self have been removed.
Subtraction rather than addition
Notice that the final preparation is a process of letting go. The Self is not something that has to be created or acquired. It is already present, but it is hidden by ego, desire, anger, and possessiveness. As these are released, what remains is peace.
Message for Everyday Life (The Lightness of Letting Go)
Look at the six items and ask which of them is most active in your life at present. For many people, it is possessiveness of things or opinions, or the ego's need to be right.
A practice: Once a day, deliberately let go of something small. It may be an argument you do not need to win, an item you do not need to own, or a grudge you do not need to carry. Notice the feeling of lightness that follows.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the qualities that make a person fit for oneness with Brahman. In the next verse, He describes the state that follows: one who has become Brahman is serene in mind, neither grieves nor desires, sees all beings alike, and gains supreme devotion to Him.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Drop the 'I', and the heart opens.
Letting go creates room for calm.
Possessions possess the possessive.
Release anger before it ruins you.
The fewer the claims, the lighter the heart.
Inner quiet prepares for deep realisation.
Shed what weighs you down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six things Krishna asks us to give up in this verse?
What does 'nirmamaḥ' (free from the sense of 'mine') mean?
What does 'brahmabhūyāya kalpate' (becomes fit for oneness with the Supreme Reality) mean?
Why is 'śhāntaḥ' (peaceful) mentioned along with giving up the six obstacles?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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