Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.63
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहः सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः । स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति ॥६३॥
krodhādbhavati sammohaḥ sammohātsmṛtivibhramaḥ | smṛtibhraṃśād buddhināśo buddhināśātpraṇaśyati ||63||
Complete Shloka Translation
From anger comes delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from loss of memory, destruction of discernment; and from loss of discernment, one comes to ruin.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| क्रोधात् | krodhāt | from anger |
| भवति | bhavati | arises |
| संमोहः | saṃmohaḥ | clouded delusion |
| संमोहात् | saṃmohāt | from delusion |
| स्मृति-विभ्रमः | smṛti-vibhramaḥ | loss of memory / moral grounding |
| स्मृति-भ्रंशात् | smṛti-bhraṃśāt | from loss of memory |
| बुद्धि-नाशः | buddhi-nāśaḥ | destruction of discerning intellect |
| बुद्धि-नाशात् | buddhi-nāśāt | from ruin of intellect |
| प्रणश्यति | praṇaśyati | a person is utterly ruined |
from anger
arises
clouded delusion
from delusion
loss of memory / moral grounding
from loss of memory
destruction of discerning intellect
from ruin of intellect
a person is utterly ruined
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Memory here includes retaining the understanding that guides conduct, not merely recalling facts. The passage describes a spiritual and moral deterioration, not a clinical diagnosis.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The chain shows how unchecked reaction can undermine judgment."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What understanding becomes hard to remember when anger takes over?
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.