Chapter 2, Verse 66 (Bhagavad Gita 2.66)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना। न चाभावयतः शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम्
Transliteration
nāsti buddhir-ayuktasya na chāyuktasya bhāvanā na chābhāvayataḥ śhāntir aśhāntasya kutaḥ sukham
Word Meanings
na—not; asti—is; buddhiḥ—intellect; ayuktasya—not united; na—not; cha—and; ayuktasya—not united; bhāvanā—contemplation; na—nor; cha—and; abhāvayataḥ—for those not united; śhāntiḥ—peace; aśhāntasya—of the unpeaceful; kutaḥ—where; sukham—happiness
Translation
For one who is not connected with the Divine, there is no transcendental knowledge, and for the unsteady, there is no meditation; without meditation, there is no peace, and without peace, how can there be happiness?
Meaning & Commentary
This verse presents a sequential logic of spiritual development, emphasizing that inner equilibrium is the essential foundation for human fulfillment. It teaches that true happiness is not an external acquisition but an internal state born from a tranquil mind, which can only be achieved through sustained meditation and self-mastery. By illustrating the chain of causality—from the absence of focus to the absence of peace—Krishna reveals that a scattered, undisciplined consciousness is inherently incapable of experiencing joy. Ultimately, the sloka serves as a psychological roadmap, urging us to cultivate stillness to bridge the gap between our current restlessness and our innate potential for bliss.