Chapter 2, Verse 59
Part of 2: Sānkhya Yog — सांख्ययोगविषया विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिनः। रसवर्जं रसोऽप्यस्य परं दृष्ट्वा निवर्तते॥
Transliteration
viṣhayā vinivartante nirāhārasya dehinaḥ rasa-varjaṁ raso ’pyasya paraṁ dṛiṣhṭvā nivartate
Meaning
The objects of the senses turn away from the abstinent man, leaving the longing behind; but his longing also turns away upon seeing the Supreme.
Word-by-word meaning
viṣhayāḥ — objects for sensesvinivartante — restrainnirāhārasya — practicing self restraintdehinaḥ — for the embodiedrasa-varjam — cessation of tasterasaḥ — tasteapi — howeverasya — person’sparam — the Supremedṛiṣhṭvā — on realizationnivartate — ceases to be
Commentary
Knowledge of the Self alone can destroy in toto the subtle Vasanas (latent tendencies) and all the subtle desires, all subtle attachments and even the longing for objects. By practising severe austerities, by abandoning the sensual objects, the objects of the senses may turn away from the ascetic but the relish or taste or longing for the objects will still remain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 59?▼
The objects of the senses turn away from the abstinent man, leaving the longing behind; but his longing also turns away upon seeing the Supreme.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 59 of Chapter 2 (Sānkhya Yog — Transcendental Knowledge) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.