Bhagavad Gita 2.70 — Like Rivers Entering a Still Ocean: Peace Comes to One Undisturbed by Desires
आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं
समुद्रमापः प्रविशन्ति यद्वत्।
तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे
स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी॥ २.७०॥
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As waters enter the ocean that is ever being filled yet remains unmoved, so all desires enter the person who remains undisturbed. That person attains peace, not the one who craves desires.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| āpūryamāṇam | constantly being filled, ever full |
| achalapratiṣhṭham | remaining unmoved, firmly established in its position |
| samudram | the ocean |
| āpaḥ | waters |
| praviśhanti | enter |
| yadvat | as, just as |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tadvat | so, in the same way |
| kāmāḥ | desires |
| yam | whom, in whom |
| praviśhanti | enter |
| sarve | all |
| saḥ | that person |
| śhāntim | peace |
| āpnoti | attains |
| na | not |
| kāmakāmī | one who craves desires |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| āpūryamāṇam | constantly being filled, ever full | tadvat | so, in the same way |
| achalapratiṣhṭham | remaining unmoved, firmly established in its position | kāmāḥ | desires |
| samudram | the ocean | yam | whom, in whom |
| āpaḥ | waters | praviśhanti | enter |
| praviśhanti | enter | sarve | all |
| yadvat | as, just as | saḥ | that person |
| śhāntim | peace | ||
| āpnoti | attains | ||
| na | not | ||
| kāmakāmī | one who craves desires | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna offers one of the most beloved images in the Gita. The ocean is constantly filled by rivers from all directions and yet remains still and unmoved. In the same way, the wise person is not disturbed by the countless desires and experiences that flow into the mind. Such a person finds peace, while the one who chases desires does not.
Essence
The ocean and the rivers
Lord Krishna says āpūryamāṇam acala-pratiṣṭham samudram āpaḥ praviśanti yadvat. As waters enter the ocean, which is ever being filled and yet remains unmoved in its place. The ocean receives enormous quantities of water from countless rivers, monsoon rains, and streams, and yet it neither overflows nor is disturbed by them. It remains steady and complete in itself.
Tadvat kāmā yam praviśanti sarve: In the same way, desires enter the person of wisdom. Notice the careful wording. Krishna does not say that such a person has no desires entering the mind. Thoughts, impulses, and wishes still arise, just as rivers still flow into the ocean. The difference is that they do not disturb the person's inner balance.
Sa śāntim āpnoti (he attains peace): The person who is like the ocean attains śānti, deep and lasting peace. It is not a temporary calm that depends on conditions but a fullness that is unaffected by what comes.
The restless seeker
Na kāma-kāmī (not the one who desires desires): The verse concludes that the one who is a desirer of objects does not find peace. A person who is constantly chasing satisfaction is like a pond that is disturbed by every stone thrown into it. The more such a person tries to fulfil desires, the more new desires arise.
The contrast between the ocean and the small pond is instructive. A tiny pond is easily overflowed or dried up. An ocean is vast enough to absorb everything. When the mind is established in the Self, which is its own source of fullness, it becomes like the ocean: large enough that no single experience can overwhelm it.
Message for Everyday Life (Becoming Vast Enough)
We can't prevent difficult events, new demands, or surprising desires from entering our lives. What we can develop is the capacity to absorb them without being overturned.
Build inner spaciousness: Regular reflection, perspective, and contentment widen the mind, so that setbacks and temptations feel smaller.
Let desires come and go: Observe wishes arising without feeling obliged to chase each one.
The ocean and the rivers
Lord Krishna says āpūryamāṇam acala-pratiṣṭham samudram āpaḥ praviśanti yadvat. As waters enter the ocean, which is ever being filled and yet remains unmoved in its place. The ocean receives enormous quantities of water from countless rivers, monsoon rains, and streams, and yet it neither overflows nor is disturbed by them. It remains steady and complete in itself.
Tadvat kāmā yam praviśanti sarve: In the same way, desires enter the person of wisdom. Notice the careful wording. Krishna does not say that such a person has no desires entering the mind. Thoughts, impulses, and wishes still arise, just as rivers still flow into the ocean. The difference is that they do not disturb the person's inner balance.
Sa śāntim āpnoti (he attains peace): The person who is like the ocean attains śānti, deep and lasting peace. It is not a temporary calm that depends on conditions but a fullness that is unaffected by what comes.
The restless seeker
Na kāma-kāmī (not the one who desires desires): The verse concludes that the one who is a desirer of objects does not find peace. A person who is constantly chasing satisfaction is like a pond that is disturbed by every stone thrown into it. The more such a person tries to fulfil desires, the more new desires arise.
The contrast between the ocean and the small pond is instructive. A tiny pond is easily overflowed or dried up. An ocean is vast enough to absorb everything. When the mind is established in the Self, which is its own source of fullness, it becomes like the ocean: large enough that no single experience can overwhelm it.
Message for Everyday Life (Becoming Vast Enough)
We can't prevent difficult events, new demands, or surprising desires from entering our lives. What we can develop is the capacity to absorb them without being overturned.
Build inner spaciousness: Regular reflection, perspective, and contentment widen the mind, so that setbacks and temptations feel smaller.
Let desires come and go: Observe wishes arising without feeling obliged to chase each one.
Next Topic
Krishna has given the ocean as the image of peace amid countless desires. He now describes the inner state that makes such peace possible. In the next verse He says that one who abandons all desires, moves without longing, free from the sense of possession and ego, attains peace.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Be deep like the ocean; let the rivers come.
Those who are full don't chase.
Desire-chasers never arrive.
Depth makes you undisturbed.
A still mind absorbs all.
The more you chase, the further peace flees.
The calm are not empty; they are full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the analogy in this verse?
What does 'achalapratiṣhṭha' (unmoved, firmly established) mean?
What does 'āpūryamāṇa' (being filled) show?
Who is the 'kāmakāmī' (one who craves desires)?
Does this mean the wise person has no desires?
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