Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.59
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
विषया विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिनः । रसवर्जं रसोऽप्यस्य परं दृष्ट्वा निवर्तते ॥५९॥
viṣayā vinivartante nirāhārasya dehinaḥ | rasavarjaṃ raso'pyasya paraṃ dṛṣṭvā nivartate ||59||
Complete Shloka Translation
Sense objects withdraw from one who abstains, but the taste for them remains. Even that taste disappears on seeing the higher reality.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| रसः | rasaḥ | lingering taste or attraction |
| परम् | param | the higher reality |
| विषया | viṣayā | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| विनिवर्तन्ते | vinivartante | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| निराहारस्य | nirāhārasya | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| देहिनः | dehinaḥ | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| रसवर्जं | rasavarjaṃ | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| रसोऽप्यस्य | raso'pyasya | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| परं | paraṃ | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| दृष्ट्वा | dṛṣṭvā | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| निवर्तते | nivartate | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
| ५९ | nivartate | [term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on... |
lingering taste or attraction
the higher reality
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
[term] in context of Sense objects withdraw from on...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Rasa here is the lingering attraction to an experience. The verse places deeper realization beyond restraint alone; abstinence is not the completion of freedom.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"External abstinence and inward freedom from craving are different."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which inward attraction remains even when its outward opportunity is removed?
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.