Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.42
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च । ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ॥४२॥
śamo damastapaḥ śaucaṃ kṣāntirārjavameva ca | jñānaṃ vijñānamāstikyaṃ brahmakarma svabhāvajam ||42||
Complete Shloka Translation
Calmness, sense-restraint, austerity, purity, patience, straightforwardness, knowledge, realized understanding and faith are brahmana duties born of nature.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शम | śama | calm |
| विज्ञान | vijñāna | realized understanding here |
| शमो | śamo | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| दमस्तपः | damastapaḥ | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| शौचं | śaucaṃ | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव | kṣāntirārjavameva | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| ज्ञानं | ca | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं | jñānaṃ | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| ब्रह्मकर्म | vijñānamāstikyaṃ | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| स्वभावजम् | brahmakarma | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
| ४२ | svabhāvajam | [term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus... |
calm
realized understanding here
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
[term] in context of Calmness, sense-restraint, aus...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The traditional description centers disciplined learning and inward qualities. Vijnana means realized understanding here, not modern science as a category.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Which quality helps your learning become responsible understanding?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which quality helps your learning become responsible understanding?
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.