Bhagavad Gita 2.72 — The Brahmic State: Established in It Even at Death, One Attains Liberation
एषा ब्राह्मी स्थिति: पार्थ नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति।
स्थित्वास्यामन्तकालेऽपि ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृच्छति॥ २.७२॥
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O Partha, this is the state of being established in the Supreme. Having attained it, one is no longer deluded. Being established in this state even at the time of death, one attains liberation in the Supreme.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| eṣhā | this |
| brāhmī | of the Supreme, divine, of Brahman |
| sthitiḥ | state, condition |
| pārtha | O Arjuna, son of Pritha |
| na | not |
| enām | this |
| prāpya | having attained |
| vimuhyati | is deluded, is bewildered |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sthitvā | being established |
| asyām | in this |
| antakāle | at the time of death |
| api | even |
| brahmanirvāṇam | liberation in the Supreme, merging in Brahman |
| ṛichchhati | attains, reaches |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| eṣhā | this | sthitvā | being established |
| brāhmī | of the Supreme, divine, of Brahman | asyām | in this |
| sthitiḥ | state, condition | antakāle | at the time of death |
| pārtha | O Arjuna, son of Pritha | api | even |
| na | not | brahmanirvāṇam | liberation in the Supreme, merging in Brahman |
| enām | this | ṛichchhati | attains, reaches |
| prāpya | having attained | ||
| vimuhyati | is deluded, is bewildered | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
This is the concluding verse of the second chapter. Lord Krishna calls the state He has been describing the brāhmī sthiti, the state of being established in Brahman, the ultimate reality. One who attains it is never deluded again, and even if one reaches it only at the end of life, one attains liberation. The verse gathers the entire chapter into a note of hope and promise.
Essence
Eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ: this is the state of Brahman
Lord Krishna says eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ pārtha. This is the brāhmī sthiti, the state of being established in Brahman. After all the descriptions of the sthitaprajña, the person of steady wisdom, Krishna gives the state a name. It is a state of abiding in the ultimate reality, in which the Self is known and the mind is at peace.
It is helpful to recall the journey of this chapter. It began with Arjuna overwhelmed by grief and confusion. Krishna taught him about the eternal Self, the principle of selfless action, the discipline of the senses, and the qualities of the steady mind. All of this leads to this single state, the fulfilment of the entire teaching of the chapter.
Naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati: never deluded again
Naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati (having attained it, one is not deluded): The word vimuhyati comes from the root muh, the same root as Arjuna's confusion. Once the state of wisdom is firmly attained, the kind of delusion that tormented Arjuna cannot return. Grief that arises from misidentifying oneself with the body and attachment to outcomes loses its basis.
Even at the hour of death
Sthitvāsyām antakāle 'pi brahma-nirvāṇam ṛcchati: Even at the end of life, one who is established in this state attains brahma-nirvāṇa. The phrase antakāle 'pi, 'even at the end time,' is a note of great encouragement. It is never too late. A person who gains this understanding even at the very end of life is not denied its fruit.
Brahma-nirvāṇa: This word suggests the extinction of the limited ego and its suffering in the vastness of Brahman, like a flame returning to the light from which it came. It is a state of complete freedom and peace, the same condition called amṛtatva, immortality, and anāmaya padam, the state free from affliction, earlier in the chapter.
The shape of the whole chapter
Looking at the chapter as a whole, we can see its movement. From Arjuna's collapse (1–10), to the wisdom of the eternal Self (11–30), to the call of duty (31–38), to the yoga of selfless action (39–53), to the portrait of the person of steady wisdom (54–72). Chapter 2 is often considered a seed of the entire Gita, and many of the later chapters expand ideas that are first introduced here.
Message for Everyday Life (It Is Never Too Late)
The closing verse invites each of us to see the ideal of a peaceful, wise, and free life as a real possibility.
Begin wherever you are: Whatever your age or past, the movement toward steadiness and wisdom is always open.
Hold the whole picture: Equanimity, selfless action, and mastery of the senses are not separate projects but aspects of one way of living.
Eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ: this is the state of Brahman
Lord Krishna says eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ pārtha. This is the brāhmī sthiti, the state of being established in Brahman. After all the descriptions of the sthitaprajña, the person of steady wisdom, Krishna gives the state a name. It is a state of abiding in the ultimate reality, in which the Self is known and the mind is at peace.
It is helpful to recall the journey of this chapter. It began with Arjuna overwhelmed by grief and confusion. Krishna taught him about the eternal Self, the principle of selfless action, the discipline of the senses, and the qualities of the steady mind. All of this leads to this single state, the fulfilment of the entire teaching of the chapter.
Naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati: never deluded again
Naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati (having attained it, one is not deluded): The word vimuhyati comes from the root muh, the same root as Arjuna's confusion. Once the state of wisdom is firmly attained, the kind of delusion that tormented Arjuna cannot return. Grief that arises from misidentifying oneself with the body and attachment to outcomes loses its basis.
Even at the hour of death
Sthitvāsyām antakāle 'pi brahma-nirvāṇam ṛcchati: Even at the end of life, one who is established in this state attains brahma-nirvāṇa. The phrase antakāle 'pi, 'even at the end time,' is a note of great encouragement. It is never too late. A person who gains this understanding even at the very end of life is not denied its fruit.
Brahma-nirvāṇa: This word suggests the extinction of the limited ego and its suffering in the vastness of Brahman, like a flame returning to the light from which it came. It is a state of complete freedom and peace, the same condition called amṛtatva, immortality, and anāmaya padam, the state free from affliction, earlier in the chapter.
The shape of the whole chapter
Looking at the chapter as a whole, we can see its movement. From Arjuna's collapse (1–10), to the wisdom of the eternal Self (11–30), to the call of duty (31–38), to the yoga of selfless action (39–53), to the portrait of the person of steady wisdom (54–72). Chapter 2 is often considered a seed of the entire Gita, and many of the later chapters expand ideas that are first introduced here.
Message for Everyday Life (It Is Never Too Late)
The closing verse invites each of us to see the ideal of a peaceful, wise, and free life as a real possibility.
Begin wherever you are: Whatever your age or past, the movement toward steadiness and wisdom is always open.
Hold the whole picture: Equanimity, selfless action, and mastery of the senses are not separate projects but aspects of one way of living.
Next Topic
Chapter 2 ends with Krishna's description of the person of steady wisdom and the promise of liberation. This leaves Arjuna with a puzzling question. If Krishna considers wisdom superior to action, why is he being urged to engage in such a terrible battle? At the beginning of Chapter 3, Arjuna raises exactly this doubt, and Lord Krishna answers by explaining the discipline of Karma Yoga in depth.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Peace in the Supreme is the final home.
Once truth is seen, it can't be unseen.
It's never too late to wake up.
A life well-lived ends in peace.
Liberation is the extinguishing of the self-made cage.
The destination is stillness in the Whole.
Every path of wisdom leads here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'brāhmī sthiti' (the state of the Supreme) mean?
What does 'na enāṁ prāpya vimuhyati' (having attained it, one is not deluded) mean?
What is 'antakāla' (the time of death)?
What is 'brahmanirvāṇa' (liberation in the Supreme)?
How does this verse conclude Chapter 2?
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