Bhagavad Gita 2.64 — Moving Among Objects Without Attraction and Aversion Brings Tranquility
रागद्वेषवियुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन्।
आत्मवश्यैर्विधेयात्मा प्रसादमधिगच्छति॥ २.६४॥
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But one who moves among the sense objects with the senses free from attraction and aversion and under self-control attains tranquility.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| rāgadveṣhavimuktaiḥ | free from attraction and aversion |
| tu | but |
| viṣhayān | sense objects |
| indriyaiḥ | with the senses |
| charan | moving among, engaging with |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ātmavaśhyaiḥ | under the control of the self |
| vidheyātmā | one with a disciplined mind, one who has self-control |
| prasādam | tranquility, peace, grace |
| adhigachchhati | attains |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| rāgadveṣhavimuktaiḥ | free from attraction and aversion | ātmavaśhyaiḥ | under the control of the self |
| tu | but | vidheyātmā | one with a disciplined mind, one who has self-control |
| viṣhayān | sense objects | prasādam | tranquility, peace, grace |
| indriyaiḥ | with the senses | adhigachchhati | attains |
| charan | moving among, engaging with | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
After describing the path of downfall, Lord Krishna now describes the path of peace. A person who moves among sense objects with the senses free from attraction and aversion, and who has self-mastery, attains serenity, or prasāda. The verse corrects a common misunderstanding: the Gita does not demand that we run away from the world, but that we engage with it in freedom.
Essence
Moving among objects, yet free
Lord Krishna says rāga-dveṣa-viyuktais tu viṣayān indriyaiś caran. Moving among sense objects with the senses free from rāga and dveṣa. The word caran means moving about or engaging. The wise person is not locked away from the world. They see, hear, taste, touch, and interact like anyone else.
Rāga-dveṣa (attraction and aversion): These are the two hooks that catch the mind. Rāga pulls us toward what we like, and dveṣa pushes us away from what we dislike. Between them they account for most of our reactive behaviour. The wise person's senses encounter the world but are not caught on these hooks.
Ātma-vaśyaiḥ (under the control of the Self): The senses are governed by the person rather than the other way around. The wise person is the master of the house.
Vidheyātmā (one whose mind is disciplined): The word suggests a mind that is obedient to higher guidance, a mind that has been trained and is responsive to understanding.
Prasāda: serenity and grace
The result is prasādam adhigacchati, he attains prasāda. This word has two beautiful meanings. It means clarity or serenity, like water that has become clear after the mud has settled. It also means grace, a gift that comes when one has prepared oneself. The peace described here is both the natural result of a purified mind and a gift that cannot be forced.
It is worth noting how directly this verse answers the previous one. The chain of downfall began with brooding on objects, attachment, and desire. Here the same objects are present, but without attraction and aversion, they do not set off the chain. The difference lies not in the objects but in the mind's relation to them.
Message for Everyday Life (Engaging Without Entanglement)
Some people believe that peace requires withdrawing from work, family, and the pleasures of life. Krishna teaches that it is possible to remain in the middle of life and still be free.
Enjoy without clinging: Appreciate what is pleasant, handle what is unpleasant, and avoid being owned by either.
Watch your reactions: Observe when you feel a strong pull or push toward something, and see if you can respond more freely.
Moving among objects, yet free
Lord Krishna says rāga-dveṣa-viyuktais tu viṣayān indriyaiś caran. Moving among sense objects with the senses free from rāga and dveṣa. The word caran means moving about or engaging. The wise person is not locked away from the world. They see, hear, taste, touch, and interact like anyone else.
Rāga-dveṣa (attraction and aversion): These are the two hooks that catch the mind. Rāga pulls us toward what we like, and dveṣa pushes us away from what we dislike. Between them they account for most of our reactive behaviour. The wise person's senses encounter the world but are not caught on these hooks.
Ātma-vaśyaiḥ (under the control of the Self): The senses are governed by the person rather than the other way around. The wise person is the master of the house.
Vidheyātmā (one whose mind is disciplined): The word suggests a mind that is obedient to higher guidance, a mind that has been trained and is responsive to understanding.
Prasāda: serenity and grace
The result is prasādam adhigacchati, he attains prasāda. This word has two beautiful meanings. It means clarity or serenity, like water that has become clear after the mud has settled. It also means grace, a gift that comes when one has prepared oneself. The peace described here is both the natural result of a purified mind and a gift that cannot be forced.
It is worth noting how directly this verse answers the previous one. The chain of downfall began with brooding on objects, attachment, and desire. Here the same objects are present, but without attraction and aversion, they do not set off the chain. The difference lies not in the objects but in the mind's relation to them.
Message for Everyday Life (Engaging Without Entanglement)
Some people believe that peace requires withdrawing from work, family, and the pleasures of life. Krishna teaches that it is possible to remain in the middle of life and still be free.
Enjoy without clinging: Appreciate what is pleasant, handle what is unpleasant, and avoid being owned by either.
Watch your reactions: Observe when you feel a strong pull or push toward something, and see if you can respond more freely.
Next Topic
Krishna has said that engaging with the world without attraction and aversion brings serenity. He now describes what serenity does for a person's inner life. In the next verse He says that in this clarity all sorrows come to an end, and the intellect of the serene person quickly becomes firmly established.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Engage with the world without being captured by it.
A calm mind enjoys more than a craving one.
Likes and dislikes are the shackles.
Master your senses, don't banish them.
Peace is an inner climate.
Calm is a gift that follows discipline.
Be in the world, not of its pull.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'rāgadveṣhavimukta' (free from attraction and aversion) mean?
What does 'ātmavaśhya' (controlled by the self) mean?
What is 'prasāda' (tranquility, grace) in this verse?
Does this verse allow enjoyment of sense objects?
How does this relate to verse 2.58?
Explore related topics
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