Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.71
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः । निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥७१॥
vihāya kāmānyaḥ sarvānpumāṃścarati niḥspṛhaḥ | nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sa śāntimadhigacchati ||71||
Complete Shloka Translation
The person who abandons all desires and lives without craving, without possessiveness and without ego, attains peace.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| विहाय | vihāya | abandoning / renouncing |
| कामान् | kāmān | desires / cravings |
| यः | yaḥ | whoever |
| सर्वान् | sarvān | all |
| पुमान् | pumān | a person |
| चरति | carati | walks / moves about |
| निःस्पृहः | niḥspṛhaḥ | free from longing / thirst |
| निर्ममः | nirmamaḥ | without possessiveness ("mine") |
| निरहङ्कारः | nirahaṅkāraḥ | free from egotism ("I") |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| शान्तिम् | śāntim | supreme peace |
| अधिगच्छति | adhigacchati | attains |
abandoning / renouncing
desires / cravings
whoever
all
a person
walks / moves about
free from longing / thirst
without possessiveness ("mine")
free from egotism ("I")
he
supreme peace
attains
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Nirmama and nirahankara concern possessive identification and ego-centeredness. Their release need not mean neglecting relationships, responsibilities, or ordinary personal identity.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Peace is linked to releasing craving and the possessive sense of mine."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where could less possessiveness allow more care rather than less responsibility?
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.