A restless mind has no steady discernment, no steady purpose, no peace, and without peace, no happiness.
— Krishna
❋
Bhagavad Gita · 2.66
Hindi · हिन्दी
जिसके मनइन्द्रियाँ संयमित नहीं हैं, ऐसे मनुष्यकी व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धि नहीं होती और व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धि न होनेसे उसमें कर्तव्यपरायणताकी भावना नहीं होती । ऐसी भावना न होनेसे उसको शान्ति नहीं मिलती । फिर शान्तिरहित मनुष्यको सुख कैसे मिल सकता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
नास्तिthere is notबुद्धिःsteady discernmentअयुक्तस्यof one who is unrestrainedनnotचandअयुक्तस्यof one who is unrestrainedभावनाsteady purposeनnotचandअभावयतःof one who lacks inner cultivationशान्तिःpeaceअशान्तस्यof one without peaceकुतःhow can there beसुखम्happiness
Read literallythere is not · steady discernment · of one who is unrestrained · not · and · of one who is unrestrained · steady purpose · not · and · of one who lacks inner cultivation · peace · of one without peace · how can there be · happiness
Understanding the verse
✦
Without steadiness, Krishna lists the losses in order: no discernment, no purpose, no peace, no happiness.
A person who cannot control the mind and senses lacks clear judgment, steady purpose, peace, and therefore real happiness.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna explains that a mind ruled by the senses cannot hold steady judgment or purpose. Without that inner order, peace cannot arise, and without peace, happiness slips away.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
After a bad day a man flicks between channels, snacks, then calls a friend to complain, and ends the night more scattered than he began. Peace won't come on demand from an unsettled mind.
The takeaway
“Peace is not accidental; it grows from inner discipline.”
A person who cannot control the mind and senses lacks clear judgment, steady purpose, peace, and therefore real happiness.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.66?
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 2.66?
Verse 66 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 2.66 matter today?
After a bad day a man flicks between channels, snacks, then calls a friend to complain, and ends the night more scattered than he began. Peace won't come on demand from an unsettled mind.
Without steadiness, Krishna lists the losses in order: no discernment, no purpose, no peace, no happiness.
What this verse means
A person who cannot control the mind and senses lacks clear judgment, steady purpose, peace, and therefore real happiness.
Context & commentary
Krishna explains that a mind ruled by the senses cannot hold steady judgment or purpose. Without that inner order, peace cannot arise, and without peace, happiness slips away.
What it looks like today
After a bad day a man flicks between channels, snacks, then calls a friend to complain, and ends the night more scattered than he began. Peace won't come on demand from an unsettled mind.
“Peace is not accidental; it grows from inner discipline.”
Explore related themes: manas (49 verses), buddhi (26 verses), indriya nigraha (14 verses)