Chapter 2, Verse 70
आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रमाप: प्रविशन्ति यद्वत् | तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी ॥70॥
āpūryamāṇam achala-pratiṣhṭhaṁ samudram āpaḥ praviśhanti yadvat | tadvat kāmā yaṁ praviśhanti sarve sa śhāntim āpnoti na kāma-kāmī
"As the ocean remains undisturbed despite the flow of many rivers into it, so the person who remains unmoved by the flow of desires attains peace; but not the one who strives to satisfy those desires."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 2.70 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 2.70 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna provides the magnificent imagery of the ocean (Samudra) to describe the state of a Sthitaprajna (steady-minded sage). Just as the ocean is 'āpūryamāṇam' (ever-filled) and 'achala-pratiṣhṭhaṁ' (immovably established), it receives the roaring rivers without overflowing. Similarly, sensory inputs and desires enter the mind of a realized soul, but they do not create a ripple of agitation. True peace (Shanti) belongs to the one who is internally full and self-contained, not to the 'Kama-kami'—the one who chases the fulfillment of every passing whim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 2.70?
As the ocean remains undisturbed despite the flow of many rivers into it, so the person who remains unmoved by the flow of desires attains peace; but not the one who strives to satisfy those desires.