Chapter 2, Verse 64
रागद्वेषवियुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन् | आत्मवश्यैर्विधेयात्मा प्रसादमधिगच्छति ॥64॥
rāga-dveṣa-viyuktais tu viṣayān indriyaiś caran | ātma-vaśyair vidheyātmā prasādam adhigacchati
"But a disciplined person, moving among objects with the senses free from attachment and aversion and under their own control, attains serenity."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 2.64 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 2.64 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse provides the antidote to the 'downward spiral' mentioned in previous verses. While ordinary people are driven by 'Rāga' (attraction) and 'Dveṣa' (repulsion), a 'Vidheyātmā' (disciplined soul) interacts with the material world using senses that are 'Ātma-vaśyaiḥ' (self-controlled). Serenity (Prasādam) is not achieved by fleeing the world, but by mastering the internal reaction to external stimuli. Freedom is not the absence of objects, but the absence of the mental tug-of-war caused by likes and dislikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 2.64?
But a disciplined person, moving among objects with the senses free from attachment and aversion and under their own control, attains serenity.