Chapter 18, Verse 42 (Bhagavad Gita 18.42)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च।ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम्
Transliteration
śhamo damas tapaḥ śhauchaṁ kṣhāntir ārjavam eva cha jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam
Word Meanings
śhamaḥ—tranquility; damaḥ—restraint; tapaḥ—austerity; śhaucham—purity; kṣhāntiḥ—patience; ārjavam—integrity; eva—certainly; cha—and; jñānam—knowledge; vijñānam—wisdom; āstikyam—belief in a hereafter; brahma—of the priestly class; karma—work; svabhāva-jam—born of one’s intrinsic qualities
Translation
Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, and uprightness, as well as knowledge, realization, and belief in God, are the duties of Brahmanas, born of their own nature.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Lord Krishna defines the inherent nature of a Brahmana, not merely by birth, but by the cultivation of divine qualities. Bhagwan Shri Krishna explains that these virtues are the natural expressions of a soul aligned with the sattvic mode of goodness. By embodying these traits, the seeker aligns their consciousness with the Supreme, facilitating the inner purity required for spiritual realization. Yogeshwar Krishna teaches that these duties are the bridge between human life and the eternal realm, guiding the devotee toward Moksha through self-discipline and unwavering faith. Ultimately, Shri Krishna reveals that one’s true varna is the manifestation of these God-centered qualities, essential for those who seek to know the Supreme Truth.