Bhagavad Gita 2.44 — Attachment to Enjoyment and Power Blocks the Resolute Intellect
भोगैश्वर्यप्रसक्तानां तयापहृतचेतसाम्।
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिः समाधौ न विधीयते॥ २.४४॥
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For those who are strongly attached to enjoyment and power, and whose minds are carried away by such words, the resolute intellect is not formed in steady contemplation.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhogaiśhvaryaprasaktānām | of those who are strongly attached to enjoyment and power |
| tayā | by that (flowery speech) |
| apahṛitachetasām | whose minds are carried away, whose discernment is stolen |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vyavasāyātmikā | resolute, determined |
| buddhiḥ | intellect |
| samādhau | in samadhi, in steady contemplation |
| na | not |
| vidhīyate | is formed, is established |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhogaiśhvaryaprasaktānām | of those who are strongly attached to enjoyment and power | vyavasāyātmikā | resolute, determined |
| tayā | by that (flowery speech) | buddhiḥ | intellect |
| apahṛitachetasām | whose minds are carried away, whose discernment is stolen | samādhau | in samadhi, in steady contemplation |
| na | not | ||
| vidhīyate | is formed, is established | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna states the consequence of the mindset described in the previous two verses. People who are attached to enjoyment and power, and whose minds have been carried away by flowery promises, cannot develop the resolute intellect that leads to samādhi. Their minds are too busy and divided to be established in deep stillness.
Essence
Minds that have been carried away
Lord Krishna says bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānām tayāpahṛta-cetasām. Those who are strongly attached to enjoyment and lordship, and whose minds have been carried off by such speech. The word apahṛta means stolen or carried away. The picture is of a mind that has been robbed of its independence, drawn along by words and promises it does not examine.
Prasakta (deeply attached): The word indicates being stuck or glued to something. When we are attached to enjoyment and power, our attention keeps returning to them, and it is difficult to settle into stillness.
Cetas (the thinking mind): The faculty of attention and awareness has been hijacked. The person may be intelligent, but they cannot direct their intelligence toward what matters most because it is constantly pulled in other directions.
Samādhi: concentrated absorption
Vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ samādhau na vidhīyate: The resolute intellect is not established in samādhi. Here samādhi refers to steady, concentrated absorption of the mind in its object, ultimately in the Self or the Lord. This deep steadiness is the foundation of spiritual realisation.
The verse is explaining a simple psychological law. A mind that is constantly seeking pleasure, rank, and rewards is restless, and a restless mind cannot be still. The more we chase external satisfactions, the less capacity we have for inner absorption.
A bridge in the argument
This verse completes a short section that begins with the contrast between the one-pointed and scattered intellect in verse 41. We have seen the flowery speech (42), the desire-driven aims (43), and now the result (44): a lack of inner steadiness. Krishna's next step is to show the way out.
Message for Everyday Life (Why a Busy Desire-Driven Mind Cannot Rest)
Most of us know the experience of being unable to relax because our minds keep returning to wants, comparisons, and ambitions.
Reduce the pull of constant wanting: Notice how much of your mental noise comes from desire for more, and practise being content with enough.
Make space for stillness: Even brief daily periods of silence help develop the capacity for deeper concentration.
Minds that have been carried away
Lord Krishna says bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānām tayāpahṛta-cetasām. Those who are strongly attached to enjoyment and lordship, and whose minds have been carried off by such speech. The word apahṛta means stolen or carried away. The picture is of a mind that has been robbed of its independence, drawn along by words and promises it does not examine.
Prasakta (deeply attached): The word indicates being stuck or glued to something. When we are attached to enjoyment and power, our attention keeps returning to them, and it is difficult to settle into stillness.
Cetas (the thinking mind): The faculty of attention and awareness has been hijacked. The person may be intelligent, but they cannot direct their intelligence toward what matters most because it is constantly pulled in other directions.
Samādhi: concentrated absorption
Vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ samādhau na vidhīyate: The resolute intellect is not established in samādhi. Here samādhi refers to steady, concentrated absorption of the mind in its object, ultimately in the Self or the Lord. This deep steadiness is the foundation of spiritual realisation.
The verse is explaining a simple psychological law. A mind that is constantly seeking pleasure, rank, and rewards is restless, and a restless mind cannot be still. The more we chase external satisfactions, the less capacity we have for inner absorption.
A bridge in the argument
This verse completes a short section that begins with the contrast between the one-pointed and scattered intellect in verse 41. We have seen the flowery speech (42), the desire-driven aims (43), and now the result (44): a lack of inner steadiness. Krishna's next step is to show the way out.
Message for Everyday Life (Why a Busy Desire-Driven Mind Cannot Rest)
Most of us know the experience of being unable to relax because our minds keep returning to wants, comparisons, and ambitions.
Reduce the pull of constant wanting: Notice how much of your mental noise comes from desire for more, and practise being content with enough.
Make space for stillness: Even brief daily periods of silence help develop the capacity for deeper concentration.
Next Topic
Krishna has explained why minds dominated by desire cannot attain steady absorption. Now He shows Arjuna what to do about it. In the next verse He tells him that the Vedas deal with the three guṇas, and urges him to rise above them and become free from dualities, from anxieties of acquisition and preservation, and established in the Self.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
What dazzles the eyes dims the mind.
A scattered mind can't hold a deep aim.
Possessions can possess the possessor.
Pleasure chased too hard hides the path.
Depth begins where craving ends.
You cannot serve both comfort and clarity fully.
Steady resolve needs a free mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'bhogaiśhvaryaprasakta' (strongly attached to enjoyment and power) mean?
What is meant by 'apahṛitachetasām' (those whose minds are carried away)?
What is 'samādhi' (steady contemplation)?
Why can't the resolute intellect form in such people?
How are verses 2.42 to 2.44 connected?
Explore related topics
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