Bhagavad Gita 2.53 — When the Intellect Stands Firm in Samadhi, You Attain Yoga
श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला।
समाधावचला बुद्धिस्तदा योगमवाप्स्यसि॥ २.५३॥
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When your intellect, which has been confused by many teachings, stands unshaken and firm in samadhi, then you will attain yoga.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śhrutivipratipannā | confused by the many teachings heard |
| te | your |
| yadā | when |
| sthāsyati | will stand, will remain |
| niśhchalā | unmoving, unshaken |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| samādhau | in samadhi, in steady contemplation of the Self |
| achalā | steady, firm |
| buddhiḥ | intellect |
| tadā | then |
| yogam | yoga, union with the Divine |
| avāpsyasi | you will attain |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śhrutivipratipannā | confused by the many teachings heard | samādhau | in samadhi, in steady contemplation of the Self |
| te | your | achalā | steady, firm |
| yadā | when | buddhiḥ | intellect |
| sthāsyati | will stand, will remain | tadā | then |
| niśhchalā | unmoving, unshaken | yogam | yoga, union with the Divine |
| avāpsyasi | you will attain | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna describes the settled state toward which the entire teaching is leading. When the intellect, once bewildered by many conflicting teachings, becomes motionless and firmly established in samādhi, Arjuna will attain yoga. It is the closing verse of this section and sets the stage for Arjuna's important question.
Essence
The mind once disturbed by what it has heard
Lord Krishna says śruti-vipratipannā te yadā sthāsyati niścalā. The intellect that has been vipratipannā, perplexed or pulled in different directions, by what it has heard, will stand unmoving. The word śruti refers to what has been heard, including the various scriptural and philosophical teachings. Arjuna, like many sincere seekers, has been exposed to different views about duty, renunciation, ritual, and knowledge. These can create confusion rather than clarity if they are not integrated.
Niścalā (unshaking): The intellect becomes firm, no longer swayed by every new argument. This is not stubbornness. It is the stability that comes from having understood the essential point.
Samādhi: steady absorption
Samādhau acalā buddhiḥ (the intellect motionless in samādhi): The word samādhi comes from the idea of putting together or settling completely. It describes a state in which the mind is fully collected and absorbed in the Self. The word acalā reinforces the idea of unshakeability. A lamp placed in a windless place burns without flickering, and so the mind in this state is without agitation.
Tadā yogam avāpsyasi (then you will attain yoga): Here yoga refers to the state of union, or the realisation of the Self. It is the fulfilment of the path of wisdom and the true fruit of Karma Yoga. Krishna places it as the culmination of the inner journey: from confusion, through inquiry and practice, to an unshakeable steadiness.
Why this verse is a hinge
This verse completes the description of the path, from the first awakening of discrimination to the establishment in samādhi. It also leads directly to Arjuna's practical question. When someone has reached such a state, what is that person like? How do they speak, sit, and move through the world? Arjuna has understood that the ideal is steadiness, and now he wants to know what it looks like.
Message for Everyday Life (Steadiness Amid Conflicting Voices)
We are exposed to a constant clash of opinions, advice, and expert views, and it can leave us feeling uncertain.
Find your anchor: Identify a few values or insights you have tested in your own life, and return to them when you are pulled in many directions.
Cultivate stillness: Regular quiet periods allow the mind to settle, making it easier to hear what is truly essential.
The mind once disturbed by what it has heard
Lord Krishna says śruti-vipratipannā te yadā sthāsyati niścalā. The intellect that has been vipratipannā, perplexed or pulled in different directions, by what it has heard, will stand unmoving. The word śruti refers to what has been heard, including the various scriptural and philosophical teachings. Arjuna, like many sincere seekers, has been exposed to different views about duty, renunciation, ritual, and knowledge. These can create confusion rather than clarity if they are not integrated.
Niścalā (unshaking): The intellect becomes firm, no longer swayed by every new argument. This is not stubbornness. It is the stability that comes from having understood the essential point.
Samādhi: steady absorption
Samādhau acalā buddhiḥ (the intellect motionless in samādhi): The word samādhi comes from the idea of putting together or settling completely. It describes a state in which the mind is fully collected and absorbed in the Self. The word acalā reinforces the idea of unshakeability. A lamp placed in a windless place burns without flickering, and so the mind in this state is without agitation.
Tadā yogam avāpsyasi (then you will attain yoga): Here yoga refers to the state of union, or the realisation of the Self. It is the fulfilment of the path of wisdom and the true fruit of Karma Yoga. Krishna places it as the culmination of the inner journey: from confusion, through inquiry and practice, to an unshakeable steadiness.
Why this verse is a hinge
This verse completes the description of the path, from the first awakening of discrimination to the establishment in samādhi. It also leads directly to Arjuna's practical question. When someone has reached such a state, what is that person like? How do they speak, sit, and move through the world? Arjuna has understood that the ideal is steadiness, and now he wants to know what it looks like.
Message for Everyday Life (Steadiness Amid Conflicting Voices)
We are exposed to a constant clash of opinions, advice, and expert views, and it can leave us feeling uncertain.
Find your anchor: Identify a few values or insights you have tested in your own life, and return to them when you are pulled in many directions.
Cultivate stillness: Regular quiet periods allow the mind to settle, making it easier to hear what is truly essential.
Next Topic
Krishna has told Arjuna that he will attain yoga when his intellect stands unshaken in samādhi. Arjuna, who has been listening in silence for many verses, now asks his first question since beginning to learn. In the next verse he asks how one who is steady in wisdom speaks, sits, and walks.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
A still mind sees what a busy mind misses.
Doubt ends where inner conviction begins.
Depth is better than variety.
Yoga is a mind at rest in what is real.
Reading is the road; stillness is the arrival.
Be like a flame in a windless place.
Peace comes when the mind stops moving in all directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'śhrutivipratipanna' (confused by what has been heard) mean?
What is 'samādhi' (steady contemplation) in this verse?
What does 'niśhchalā' (unmoving) and 'achalā' (steady) tell us about the intellect?
What is 'yoga' (union with the Divine) here?
How does this verse lead to Arjuna's question in the next verse?
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