Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.51
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः । जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ताः पदं गच्छन्त्यनामयम् ॥५१॥
karmajaṃ buddhiyuktā hi phalaṃ tyaktvā manīṣiṇaḥ | janmabandhavinirmuktāḥ padaṃ gacchantyanāmayam ||51||
Complete Shloka Translation
The wise, joined with understanding, relinquish the fruits born of action. Freed from the bondage of birth, they reach a state untouched by affliction.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| जन्मबन्ध | janmabandha | bondage of birth |
| अनामयम् | anāmayam | free of affliction |
| कर्मजं | karmajaṃ | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| बुद्धियुक्ता | buddhiyuktā | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| हि | hi | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| फलं | phalaṃ | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| त्यक्त्वा | tyaktvā | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| मनीषिणः | manīṣiṇaḥ | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ताः | janmabandhavinirmuktāḥ | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| पदं | padaṃ | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| गच्छन्त्यनामयम् | gacchantyanāmayam | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
| ५१ | gacchantyanāmayam | [term] in context of The wise, joined with understa... |
bondage of birth
free of affliction
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
[term] in context of The wise, joined with understa...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna describes the spiritual fruit of buddhi-yoga. The state without affliction belongs to liberation language, rather than a guarantee that practice prevents every worldly difficulty.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The aim extends beyond managing everyday outcomes to liberation."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How does liberation differ from securing a desirable worldly outcome?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.