Chapter 2The Eternal Reality of the Soul's ImmortalityVerse 53

Chapters

Sanskrit Vocal

Transliteration

Anvaya

Translation



Audio
Hindi
Bengali
English
Dutch
German
Greek
Chinese
Japanese
French
Spanish
Italian
Portuguese
Hebrew
Arabic
Serbian
Russian


Commentaries of the Four Authorized Vaisnava Sampradayas

as confirmed in the Garga Samhita Canto 10, Chapter 61, Verses 23, 24, 25, 26
Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

The Supreme Lord Krishna further explains that when Arjuna's understanding which is now bewildered by the distraction of various scriptural conclusions describing actions which lead to heaven and actions which lead to hell, as well as worldly conceptions of possessing kingdoms and riches will get his mind fixed in samadhi or transcendental consciousness, then steadfastly focused on the supreme, not attracted to anything else due to expertise in yoga permanently is ecstatically enthralled thereby attaining the fruit of yoga which is absolute realisation of the Ultimate Truth.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Madhvacarya

Madhvacarya's Commentary

Lord Krishna further clarifies the same point in this verse as well. The intellect that was confused by contradictory arguments in the Vedas becomes perfectly stabilised by the proper interpretation of the Vedas. Then equanimity of the mind becomes unshakeable like the resonance of a drum. Then with intense meditation on the bliss of the supreme one shall attain communion with the ultimate truth within and succeed in all one's efforts.

Now begins the summation.

The word nirvedam indicates detachment. When delusion is forsaken and all other signs of nescience and non-awareness disappears then detachment from the mundane arises and a living entity acquires the beneficial result from listening to the Vedas from a self-realised being. Thereafter adhering to the path established by the Vedas in mind and in conduct the uncompromised meaning derived thereof is apparent delivering with it an unimaginable experience of spiritual satisfaction. Thus communion with Lord Krishna will be attained through liberation by equanimity of the mind developed in wisdom by spiritual intelligence. Sruti vipraptipanna means not being influenced to act fruitively by the rewards given in the Vedic scriptures.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

Lord Krishna begins this verse with the word sruti. Sruti refers to Vedanta which implies sravanam or hearing from them. For it is by the hearing of transcendental instructions that the mind is evolved as it begins to reflect and contemplate on the immortal, incomparable and exceedingly subtle nature of the eternal soul. When this consciousness which is by its very nature is steadfast and stable is firmly rooted within a mind purified of all dross and selfish actions, then at that time one shall achieve yoga and realise enlightenment. The understanding is that by practice in performing activities in the selfless parameters of karma-yoga with knowledge of the eternal soul as revealed in the Vedic scriptures develops an illumination in consciousness called sthita-prajnata and that by sustained effort of this consciousness one is gradually achieves self- realisation. Hearing this Arjuna next desires to understand the components of this unique consciousness. Is it achieved by willpower, by yoga, by knowledge of the soul, by detachment or is it a combination of all of the above? This Arjuna will question in the next verse.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

If one were to enquire further that after achieving indifference to worldly topics by performing selfless activities free from desire for reward, will equanimity manifest. Lord Krishna states that when our minds caught between the dichotomy of dualities due to hearing throughout our lives conflicting conclusions and adhering to false conceptions, with little or no knowledge of the ultimate truth and becomes steadfast. Then unshakeable and fixed in the flow of all mental aspirations culminating in an unending focus of the soul, perceiving no other goal. One will immediately be in the state of equanimity as the fruit of equanimity is the gradual experience of the soul itself.

Tus ends the commentary to Srimad Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, verse 53 by Keshava Kashmiri.

Thus ends commentaries of chapter 2, verse 53 of the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita.

Verse 53


Copyright © Bhagavad-Gita Trust 1998-2015