प्रसादे सर्वदुःखानां हानिरस्योपजायते ।
प्रसन्नचेतसो ह्याशु बुद्धिः पर्यवतिष्ठते ॥ ६५ ॥
prasāde sarva-duḥkhānāṁ hānir asyopajāyate
prasanna-chetaso hyāśhu buddhiḥ paryavatiṣhṭhate
ऐसी कृपा प्राप्त होने पर मनुष्य के सभी दुख समाप्त हो जाते हैं। और प्रसन्न मन में उसकी बुद्धि पूरी तरह से स्थिर हो जाती है।
Upon achieving such grace, all sorrows end. And in a happy state of mind, one’s intellect becomes completely fixed.
In verse 2.65 of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna describes the profound transformation that occurs within an individual who attains purity and peace of mind. This verse is a pivotal point in the second chapter, where the nature of true happiness and the mechanics of inner peace are explored with precision. Here, the focus is on the state that arises when the mind becomes purified and tranquil, thanks to a life of regulation and self-control.
The verse states that upon achieving this inner balance, all forms of suffering (duḥkha) are destroyed. Importantly, this destruction of suffering does not mean that external difficulties or challenges vanish from one’s life. Rather, the sting or torment typically associated with hardships disappears. Suffering, in this light, is not a product of external circumstances alone, but is intimately tied to the mind’s reactions—its desires, attachments, and expectations. When the mind is steady and no longer restless, it cannot be easily disturbed by fluctuating events, and so suffering loses its grip.
This shift in perception is akin to how the moon appears on the surface of a calm versus a turbulent lake. In turbulent water, the moon’s reflection is scattered and restless, but on a perfectly still lake, the image is crystal clear and peaceful. In the same way, when the mind attains calmness, clarity emerges, and all previously magnified miseries subside into insignificance. The state of prasanna-cetasaḥ—having a happy and content mind—naturally arises in such a person. Happiness here is not derived from fleeting pleasure but from a deep, abiding inner satisfaction.
Krishna also highlights that in this peaceful and contented state, the person's intelligence becomes firmly established (buddhiḥ paryavatiṣṭhate). This stability of intellect means that one develops clear discrimination and can make wise decisions without being swayed by emotional turbulence or impulsive cravings. The intellect, once tossed about by desires and aversions, now stands rooted and unwavering, rather like the North Star on a cloudless night. It no longer wavers between conflicting wants or irrational fears because it has tasted genuine peace and knows where true fulfillment lies.
This transformation is described as happening quickly (āśu) once true happiness of mind is attained. The process is cumulative: as desires are curbed and the senses are no longer drawn toward distractions, the mind becomes more content, and with this contentment, the intellect finds its anchor. The satisfaction that arises is self-sustaining—no longer at the mercy of external events or circumstances. A person in this state is no longer dependent on the fulfillment of desires for happiness but is instead established in a deeper joy born of inner clarity and self-mastery.
This verse not only points to a psychological change but also hints at a spiritual one. The grace spoken of in the verse (prasāde) is both the result of self-effort—through discipline and regulation—and a kind of divine assistance that brings the mind into harmony. When the agitation for worldly pleasures ceases, the mind is open to higher experiences, described here as divine knowledge, love, and bliss. Peace of mind, therefore, is not merely an absence of turmoil, but a condition in which the individual can commune with something far greater and more enduring than the fleeting pleasures of the senses.
What emerges from this verse is a powerful insight: our deepest contentment and clearest intelligence arise not from possessing more, but from desiring less, from living with moderation, and from nurturing a mind that can remain unshaken amid life's inevitable ups and downs. The end of sorrow is not the end of external trials, but the end of the mind’s dependence on them for happiness. In this space, wisdom naturally flourishes, decisions become clear, and true peace settles in the heart.
In summary, Bhagavad Gita 2.65 teaches that when one purifies the mind through self-regulation and attains lasting tranquility, suffering evaporates and happiness becomes a constant companion. In this state, the intellect stands firm, unaffected by external events, and the individual lives with clarity, contentment, and a profound sense of inner fulfillment. This verse encapsulates the Gita’s assurance that peace and wisdom are attainable here and now, through the cultivation of a regulated, contented mind.
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