This second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, called “Sankhya Yoga” or “The Yoga of Knowledge”, is one of the most critical chapters in the entire Gita.
It covers Arjuna’s depression and Krishna’s advice to him, establishing the basics of philosophy in the Gita. Herein are various explanations as well as so a number of verses on selected lines.
The Yoga of Knowledge
Arjuna’s Despondency (Verses 1–12)
- Verse 2.2:
Sloka:
Sri Bhagavan Uvacha:
Kutastva kashmalam idam vishame samupasthitam, Anarya jushtam asvargyam akirti karam Arjuna.
Translation:
Arjuna, you feel sad during the trial hour. The Lord asks, From where does this sadness come? This attitude is unworthy of you; it does not lead to heaven and brings dishonor upon yourself.
Explanation:
This verse sets the stage for Krishna’s subsequent teachings on duty and righteousness by questioning Arjuna’s sudden despondency, which is unbecoming of a warrior. - Verse 2.7:
Sloka:
Karpanya dosho pahata svabhavah pricchami tvam dharma sammudha cheetah, Yacchreyah syannischitam bruhi tanme shishyaste ‘ham shadi mam tvam prapannam.
Translation:
My nature, fainthearted, is uncertain about what it should do as its duties. Please clearly tell me one thing: instruct me who has sought your protection, for I am your devotee.
Explanation:
Arjuna accepts Krishna’s wisdom at this pivotal moment in the poem.
Arjuna’s Despondency (Verses 1–12)
- Verse 2.13:
Sloka:
Dehino’smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara, tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati.
Translation:
In the same way, as young age does, the teenage stage and adulthood occur in a person within this body that is the self; likewise, does he get another physical frame? This is where wise people should not be deceived.
Explanation:
Krishna explains that the soul is eternal and above the bodily state. This realization is what causes wise men to have no sorrow for physical changes. - Verse 2.20:
Sloka:
Na jayate mriyate va kadacin nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah, Ajo nityah shashvato, ‘yam purano na hanyate hanyamane sharire.
Translation:
Not ever was I born, nor did I die, nor does it happen to be after it has been once and for all. The soul has never been born and will never die. It exists forever, beyond time and change, perishing only with the destruction of its physical casing.
Explanation:
The soul, being immortal and unchanging, transcends birth and death, stresses this verse.
Karma Yoga (Verses 31–53)
- Verse 2.4Sankhya Yoga
Sloka:
Karkarkarmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana, Ma karmaphalahetur bhurmate sangostva akarmani.
Translation:
You are allowed to do your duties as given, but you do not have the right to the fruits of your effort. Continue to be linked to inaction or believe that you are the origin of all that occurs.
Explanation:
Arjuna should perform his duties according to Krishna’s teachings, disregarding concerns about winning or losing in battle. - Verse 2.50:
Sloka:
Buddhiyukto jahatiha ubhe sukrta-dushkrte, Tasmad yogaya yujyasva yogah karmasu kaushalam.
Translation:
One who is blessed with the wisdom of stability abandons both good and evil works during this life span. Therefore, strive for yoga, which is the skill used in all actions.
Explanation:
One can free oneself from the bondage between good and bad karma by acting equally and with detachment. Yoga is the art of one’s self-employed work.
Path of Wisdom (Verses 54–72)
- Verse 2.55:
Sloka:
Prajahati yada kaman sarvan partha manogatan, Atmanyevatmana tustah sthitaprajnas advocate.
Translation:
A calm, knowledgeable man, having destroyed all the desires of his mind through himself, is satiated.
Explanation:
One with steady wisdom no longer nurtures desire and finds contentment within himself. Only then can one begin to have inner peace, which is a mark of spiritual maturity. - Verse 2.62-63
Sloka
Dhyayato vishayan pumsah sangas teshu upajayate, Sangat sanjayate kamah kamat krodho ‘bhijayate.
Krodhad bhavati sammohah sammohat smriti-vibhramah, Smriti-bhramsad buddhi-nasho buddhi-nashat pranashyati.
Translation:
Thus, as a person thinks about objects produced by the senses, this leads to fixation on them through attachment, and because of attachment arises lust.
This creates delusion from rage, loss of remembrance due to delusion, annihilation of discernment after the absence of memory, and the failure to be led out by discrimination, which results in perishing.
Explanation:
Krishna warns against this chain reaction, which ultimately leads to spiritual decline, starting with attachment. It cautions people against growing emotionally attached or losing their sight. - Verse 2.70:
Sloka:
Aapurya-manam achala-pratishtham samudram apah pravishanti yadvat, Tadvat kama yam pravishanti sarve sa shantim apnoti na kama-kami.
Translation:
A person who remains undisturbed by the constant flow of desires, just as the ocean remains undisturbed by the rivers entering it, can attain peace, but not the person who strives to satisfy such desires.
Explanation:
Those who remain undisturbed by desires attain true peace, just as the ocean remains steady with the rivers flowing into it.
Path of Wisdom
- Verse 2.72:
Sloka:
Esha brahmi sthiti Partha nainam prapya vimuhyati, Ishavasyam antakale, ‘pi brahma-nirvanam rcchati.
Translation:
Arjuna, here is Brahman’s statement. Whoever attains it shall not be deceived, even at that ending point, because the person will achieve Brahman’s Nirvana.
Explanation:
Krishna finally talks about the ultimate goal in practice, which is to get to a state of being in Brahman. The ones who possess this do not make any mistakes and immediately die after achieving it. - Verse 2.58: Sloka:
Yada samharate chayam kurmo ‘nganiva sarvashah, Indriyanindriyarthebhyas tasya prajna pratisthita.
Translation:
His knowledge will become stable if he withdraws his senses from objects of sense, like a turtle removing its limbs from all sides.
Explanation:
According to Krishna, a being with steady prudence can direct his/her faculties and pull them off the objects of his/her senses just as a tortoise withdraws its extremities into its shell. This act is important for staying focused on one thing and achieving peace within. - Verse 2.66: Sloka:
Nasti buddhir ayuktasya na chaayuktasya bhavana, Na chaabhavayatah shantir ashaantasya kutah sukham.
Translation:
He who is not harmonized has no wisdom; neither does the non-harmonious have meditation; there is no good for the non-meditative. Then how can there be any happiness without peace?
Explanation:
Krishna emphasizes that through harmony and meditation, joy comes along with wisdom. The absence of inner serenity makes happiness impossible. A balanced life that leads to spiritual growth and fulfillment is stressed in this verse.
Summary
The second chapter of the Gita serves as a basis for the entire book, explaining key ideas such as the soul’s immortality, duties’ significance, and selfless action.
Krishna and urges Arjuna to transcend his misgivings and perform his work as a warrior without expecting results so that he can reach spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and peace. This dialogue lays out the philosophical foundations for what follows in the rest of the Gita.