Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.59
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे । मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥५९॥
yadahaṅkāramāśritya na yotsya iti manyase | mithyaiṣa vyavasāyaste prakṛtistvāṃ niyokṣyati ||59||
Complete Shloka Translation
If, relying on ego, you think, I will not fight, that resolve is futile; your nature will impel you.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रकृति | prakṛti | nature |
| व्यवसाय | vyavasāya | resolve |
| यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य | yadahaṅkāramāśritya | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| योत्स्य | na | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| इति | yotsya | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| मन्यसे | iti | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| मिथ्यैष | manyase | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| व्यवसायस्ते | mithyaiṣa | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| प्रकृतिस्त्वां | vyavasāyaste | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| नियोक्ष्यति | prakṛtistvāṃ | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
| ५९ | niyokṣyati | [term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,... |
nature
resolve
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
[term] in context of If, relying on ego, you think,...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This addresses Arjuna's battlefield refusal and his conditioned nature. It is not a universal instruction that every conflict must be fought.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Are you confusing a reactive refusal with a considered decision?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Are you confusing a reactive refusal with a considered decision?
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.