Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.37
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् । तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ॥३७॥
yattadagre viṣamiva pariṇāme'mṛtopamam | tatsukhaṃ sāttvikaṃ proktamātmabuddhiprasādajam ||37||
Complete Shloka Translation
Happiness that is like poison at first but like nectar in the end, born of clarity in understanding the self, is called sattvic.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अमृत | amṛta | deathlessness |
| आत्मबुद्धि | ātmabuddhi | understanding of the self |
| यत्तदग्रे | yattadagre | [term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ... |
| विषमिव | viṣamiva | [term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ... |
| परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् | pariṇāme'mṛtopamam | [term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ... |
| तत्सुखं | tatsukhaṃ | [term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ... |
| सात्त्विकं | sāttvikaṃ | [term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ... |
| प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् | proktamātmabuddhiprasādajam | [term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ... |
| ३७ | proktamātmabuddhiprasādajam | [term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ... |
deathlessness
understanding of the self
[term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ...
[term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ...
[term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ...
[term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ...
[term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ...
[term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ...
[term] in context of Happiness that is like poison ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The poison-nectar image expresses initial difficulty followed by spiritual clarity. It does not sanctify suffering without regard to its purpose.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Which worthwhile effort is difficult now but clarifying over time?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which worthwhile effort is difficult now but clarifying over time?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.