The Vedas deal with the three qualities. Arjuna, rise beyond the three qualities, beyond opposites, fixed in lasting reality, free from concern for gain and security, and established in the true self.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 2.45
Hindi · हिन्दी
वेद तीनों गुणोंके कार्यका ही वर्णन करनेवाले हैं हे अर्जुन तू तीनों गुणोंसे रहित हो जा, निर्द्वन्द्व हो जा, निरन्तर नित्य वस्तु परमात्मा में स्थित हो जा, योगक्षेमकी चाहना भी मत रख और परमात्मपरायण हो जा ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
त्रैगुण्यविषयाconcerned with the three qualitiesवेदाthe Vedasनिस्त्रैगुण्योone beyond the three qualitiesभवbeअर्जुनArjunaनिर्द्वन्द्वोfree from oppositesनित्यसत्त्वस्थोsteadfast in the ever-realनिर्योगक्षेमःfree from concern for acquisition and preservationआत्मवान्established in the true self
Read literallyconcerned with the three qualities · the Vedas · one beyond the three qualities · be · Arjuna · free from opposites · steadfast in the ever-real · free from concern for acquisition and preservation · established in the true self
Understanding the verse
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Krishna tells Arjuna to rise above the three gunas and stop living by gain and security.
Built ontrigunayogakshemanirdvandva
01
In plain words
What this verse means
The sacred texts describe the world of changing forces, but Krishna tells Arjuna to rise above them. He should stop chasing comfort and security, and stay rooted in what is unchanging.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna now moves from duty to inner freedom for a frozen Arjuna: the Vedas describe worldly patterns, but Arjuna must stand beyond them, unshaken by gain, loss, or duality.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Each month a shopkeeper counts the takings twice and lies awake over a slow week. Krishna's advice would be to run the shop well and stand on something steadier than the ledger.
The takeaway
“Gain, loss and the need for security don't have to run your life.”
The sacred texts describe the world of changing forces, but Krishna tells Arjuna to rise above them. He should stop chasing comfort and security, and stay rooted in what is unchanging.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.45?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 2.45?
Verse 45 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 2.45 matter today?
Each month a shopkeeper counts the takings twice and lies awake over a slow week. Krishna's advice would be to run the shop well and stand on something steadier than the ledger.
Krishna tells Arjuna to rise above the three gunas and stop living by gain and security.
What this verse means
The sacred texts describe the world of changing forces, but Krishna tells Arjuna to rise above them. He should stop chasing comfort and security, and stay rooted in what is unchanging.
Context & commentary
Krishna now moves from duty to inner freedom for a frozen Arjuna: the Vedas describe worldly patterns, but Arjuna must stand beyond them, unshaken by gain, loss, or duality.
What it looks like today
Each month a shopkeeper counts the takings twice and lies awake over a slow week. Krishna's advice would be to run the shop well and stand on something steadier than the ledger.
“Gain, loss and the need for security don't have to run your life.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses)