O Partha, the intellect that knows what leads forward and what withdraws, what should be done and not done, what is fear and fearlessness, what binds and what frees, is sattvic.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 18.30
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे पृथानन्दन जो बुद्धि प्रवृत्ति और निवृत्तिको, कर्तव्य और अकर्तव्यको, भय और अभयको तथा बन्धन और मोक्षको जानती है, वह बुद्धि सात्त्विकी है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
प्रवृत्तिम्forward actionचandनिवृत्तिम्withdrawalचandकार्याकार्येwhat should be done and what should not be doneभयाभयेfear and fearlessnessबन्धम्bondageमोक्षम्freedomचandयाwhichवेत्तिknowsबुद्धिःintellectसाthatपार्थO Parthaसात्त्विकीsattvic
Read literallyforward action · and · withdrawal · and · what should be done and what should not be done · fear and fearlessness · bondage · freedom · and · which · knows · intellect · that · O Partha · sattvic
Understanding the verse
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It trains discernment: not every option is equal, and clear seeing separates duty from confusion.
A clear mind can tell the difference between action and withdrawal, right and wrong action, fear and fearlessness, bondage and freedom.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands unable to act. Krishna now classifies the powers of understanding, showing that the highest intellect can distinguish duty from non-duty, fear from fearlessness, and bondage from freedom.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You are staring at a message you know will change everything. The real question is not what feels safer, but whether your mind can see what binds and what frees.
The takeaway
“You do not need more noise; you need better seeing.”
A clear mind can tell the difference between action and withdrawal, right and wrong action, fear and fearlessness, bondage and freedom.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.30?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 18.30?
Verse 30 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 18.30 matter today?
You are staring at a message you know will change everything. The real question is not what feels safer, but whether your mind can see what binds and what frees.
It trains discernment: not every option is equal, and clear seeing separates duty from confusion.
What this verse means
A clear mind can tell the difference between action and withdrawal, right and wrong action, fear and fearlessness, bondage and freedom.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands unable to act. Krishna now classifies the powers of understanding, showing that the highest intellect can distinguish duty from non-duty, fear from fearlessness, and bondage from freedom.
Why this verse still matters
You are staring at a message you know will change everything. The real question is not what feels safer, but whether your mind can see what binds and what frees.
“You do not need more noise; you need better seeing.”
Explore related themes: viveka (15 verses)