Sacred verse

Bhagavad Gita 2.45BG 2.45 · Chapter 2, Verse 45

Sankhya Yoga · Verse 45

A core teaching · expansive in mood · builds on earlier teachings

Freedom begins when gain and loss stop defining you.

The verse
त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन
निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान्

The Vedas deal with the three qualities. Arjuna, rise beyond the three qualities, beyond opposites, fixed in lasting reality, free from concern for gain and security, and established in the true self.

Krishna
Bhagavad Gita · 2.45
Hindi · हिन्दी
वेद तीनों गुणोंके कार्यका ही वर्णन करनेवाले हैं हे अर्जुन तू तीनों गुणोंसे रहित हो जा, निर्द्वन्द्व हो जा, निरन्तर नित्य वस्तु परमात्मा में स्थित हो जा, योगक्षेमकी चाहना भी मत रख और परमात्मपरायण हो जा ॥
Word by word

The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.

त्रैगुण्यविषयाconcerned with the three qualitiesवेदाthe Vedasनिस्त्रैगुण्योone beyond the three qualitiesभवbeअर्जुनArjunaनिर्द्वन्द्वोfree from oppositesनित्यसत्त्वस्थोsteadfast in the ever-realनिर्योगक्षेमःfree from concern for acquisition and preservationआत्मवान्established in the true self

Read literallyconcerned with the three qualities · the Vedas · one beyond the three qualities · be · Arjuna · free from opposites · steadfast in the ever-real · free from concern for acquisition and preservation · established in the true self

Understanding the verse

It shifts attention from managing outcomes to resting in what does not change.

Built ontrigunayogakshemanirdvandva
In plain words

What this verse means

The sacred texts describe the world of changing forces, but Krishna tells Arjuna to rise above them. He should stop chasing comfort and security, and stay rooted in what is unchanging.

On the battlefield

Context & commentary

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen before the war. Krishna now moves from duty to inner freedom: the Vedas describe worldly patterns, but Arjuna must stand beyond them, unshaken by gain, loss, or duality.

In your life

Why this verse still matters

You are refreshing your bank app for the tenth time, waiting for reassurance. The verse says the deeper life begins when you stop living by gain, fear, and the next update.

The takeaway

There is relief in not being ruled by constant wanting, fear, or comparison.

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Krishna teaching the Sankhya — the eternal nature of the self
Chapter 2 · The Yoga of Knowledge
Sankhya Yoga
72 verses
Read all verses in this chapter →

Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses)

Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 2.45 mean?

The sacred texts describe the world of changing forces, but Krishna tells Arjuna to rise above them. He should stop chasing comfort and security, and stay rooted in what is unchanging.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.45?

Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).

Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 2.45?

Verse 45 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.

Why does Bhagavad Gita 2.45 matter today?

You are refreshing your bank app for the tenth time, waiting for reassurance. The verse says the deeper life begins when you stop living by gain, fear, and the next update.

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