One who has become Brahman, serene in mind, grieves not and desires not. Equal toward all beings, that person attains supreme devotion to Me.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 18.54
Hindi · हिन्दी
वह ब्रह्मभूतअवस्थाको प्राप्त प्रसन्न मनवाला साधक न तो किसीके लिये शोक करता है और न किसीकी इच्छा करता है । ऐसा सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंमें समभाववाला साधक मेरी पराभक्तिको प्राप्त हो जाता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
ब्रह्मभूतःhaving become Brahmanप्रसन्नात्माserene-mindedनnotशोचतिgrievesनnotकाङ्क्षतिdesiresसमःequalसर्वेषुin allभूतेषुbeingsमद्भक्तिम्devotion to Meलभतेattainsपराम्supreme
Read literallyhaving become Brahman · serene-minded · not · grieves · not · desires · equal · in all · beings · devotion to Me · attains · supreme
Understanding the verse
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Become Brahman, Krishna says, and you neither grieve nor crave, see all beings alike, and reach supreme devotion.
A person who has reached a steady, clear state no longer grieves or chases after things. Seeing all beings equally, that person reaches the highest devotion to Krishna.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna has been taught to loosen his grip on fear, pride, and craving. Krishna now shows the fruit of that inner freedom: a mind that is calm, equal toward all beings, and ready for the deepest devotion.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
At a funeral, one old aunt stays composed and treats the cook, the rich relatives and the children with the same care. Krishna describes that state: settled, without craving, equal toward all, and ready for devotion.
The takeaway
“Stillness is not emptiness; it can become the doorway to deep love.”
A person who has reached a steady, clear state no longer grieves or chases after things. Seeing all beings equally, that person reaches the highest devotion to Krishna.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.54?
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 18.54?
Verse 54 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 18.54 matter today?
At a funeral, one old aunt stays composed and treats the cook, the rich relatives and the children with the same care. Krishna describes that state: settled, without craving, equal toward all, and ready for devotion.
Become Brahman, Krishna says, and you neither grieve nor crave, see all beings alike, and reach supreme devotion.
What this verse means
A person who has reached a steady, clear state no longer grieves or chases after things. Seeing all beings equally, that person reaches the highest devotion to Krishna.
Context & commentary
Arjuna has been taught to loosen his grip on fear, pride, and craving. Krishna now shows the fruit of that inner freedom: a mind that is calm, equal toward all beings, and ready for the deepest devotion.
What it looks like today
At a funeral, one old aunt stays composed and treats the cook, the rich relatives and the children with the same care. Krishna describes that state: settled, without craving, equal toward all, and ready for devotion.
“Stillness is not emptiness; it can become the doorway to deep love.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses)