A declaration · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“A divided mind loses both peace and direction.”
The ignorant and faithless person who doubts is ruined. For the doubter, there is neither this world, nor the next, nor happiness.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyignorant · and · without trust · and · a doubting inner being · is ruined · not · this · world · exists · not · other · not · happiness · of the doubting inner being
A person who lacks clear understanding and trust, and keeps doubting, falls apart. Such a divided mind finds no real happiness here or beyond.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Verse 40 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
A man keeps switching doctors for his father's illness, trusting none of them and following no treatment fully. Krishna's warning fits: a mind that doubts everything finds no footing and no peace.
Did you like this verse?
Krishna warns that the one who doubts without faith or understanding loses this world, the next and happiness.
What this verse means
A person who lacks clear understanding and trust, and keeps doubting, falls apart. Such a divided mind finds no real happiness here or beyond.
Context & commentary
Krishna answers Arjuna on the battlefield, where hesitation can decide everything. After saying knowledge comes through trust and discipline, he warns that a doubting, faithless mind collapses and cannot find peace in any world.
What it looks like today
A man keeps switching doctors for his father's illness, trusting none of them and following no treatment fully. Krishna's warning fits: a mind that doubts everything finds no footing and no peace.
“You feel the cost of indecision: a mind that won't commit cannot settle anywhere.”
Explore related themes: shraddha (34 verses), viveka (15 verses), jnana yoga (13 verses)