विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः ।
निर्ममो निरहङ्कार स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥ ७१ ॥
vihāya kāmān yaḥ sarvān pumānśh charati niḥspṛihaḥ
nirmamo nirahankāraḥ sa śhāntim adhigachchhati
जिस मनुष्य ने सभी इच्छाओं को त्याग दिया है और जो इच्छाओं के बिना, अहंकार और स्वामित्व के भाव से मुक्त होकर जीवन जीता है, वह वास्तव में शांति प्राप्त कर सकता है।
The one who has renounced all desires and lives freely without desires, devoid of egoism and possessiveness, can actually attain peace.
Bhagavad Gita verse 2.71 presents a profound teaching on achieving true peace through renunciation of material desires and ego. This verse appears at the conclusion of the second chapter, where Krishna addresses Arjuna's question about how a spiritually realized person conducts themselves in the world.The Sanskrit verse reads: "vihāya kāmān yaḥ sarvān pumāṃś carati niḥspṛhaḥ, nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sa śāntim adhigacchati," which translates to "That person, who gives up all material desires and lives free from a sense of greed, proprietorship, and egoism, attains perfect peace".Krishna identifies three essential qualities that characterize a person who has attained spiritual wisdom. First is "niḥspṛhaḥ" - being free from material desires and hankering. This doesn't mean complete renunciation of all worldly activities but rather performing actions without attachment to their fruits. The spiritually realized person maintains their physical existence with minimal necessities while directing their energy toward spiritual growth.The second quality is "nirmamaḥ" - freedom from possessiveness or the notion of ownership. This represents a profound shift in consciousness where one no longer identifies things as "mine." When we cling to possessions, relationships, or achievements as extensions of ourselves, we create conditions for suffering. The wise person understands that nothing in this material world truly belongs to them.The third aspect is "nirahaṅkāraḥ" - absence of false ego or the mistaken identification with the body and mind. According to the Gita, our true nature is the eternal Atman, a part of supreme consciousness. When we operate from ego, we create separation, competition, and conflict with others. The spiritually evolved person performs their duties without the constant assertion of "I am the doer" or "I am special".The verse emphasizes that peace is not something external to be acquired but emerges naturally when these three qualities are cultivated. This peace remains unshaken regardless of external circumstances because it flows from an inner transformation of consciousness rather than favorable external conditions. It's significant that Krishna presents these teachings on a battlefield, demonstrating that inner peace is possible even amidst the greatest external turmoil.This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our restlessness and dissatisfaction stem not from what we lack in the external world but from our internal attitudes of desire, possessiveness, and ego. True fulfillment comes not through acquisition but through the cultivation of spiritual wisdom that allows us to recognize our connection to all beings and to the divine. As we release our grip on desires, possessions, and ego-identification, we discover a profound peace that has been our true nature all along.
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