A declaration · expansive in mood · builds on earlier teachings
“Sameness of mind is the real conquest; everything else is aftermath.”
Those whose mind rests in sameness conquer rebirth here itself. The supreme reality is flawless and equal, so they are established in it.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyhere itself · by them · conquered · of whom · in sameness · स्थित · mind · flawless · indeed · equal · the supreme reality · therefore · in the supreme reality · they · established
A mind that stays even and unshaken has already overcome the cycle of reactivity. Because the supreme reality is free of flaw and division, such a person is established in it.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (The Yoga of Renunciation).
Verse 19 sits in Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita — Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "The Yoga of Renunciation". The chapter has 29 verses in total.
A school principal hears two families complain about the same fight between their boys and gives both the same patient hearing. Krishna calls that evenness of mind the place where Brahman is found, in this life.
Did you like this verse?
Those whose minds rest in sameness have conquered rebirth here, Krishna says, because Brahman itself is flawless and even.
What this verse means
A mind that stays even and unshaken has already overcome the cycle of reactivity. Because the supreme reality is free of flaw and division, such a person is established in it.
Context & commentary
Krishna answers with a higher standard: the person whose mind rests in sameness has already conquered the cycle of rebirth while still alive. That steadiness is true establishment in the supreme.
What it looks like today
A school principal hears two families complain about the same fight between their boys and gives both the same patient hearing. Krishna calls that evenness of mind the place where Brahman is found, in this life.
“You can stop fighting reality and feel the quiet strength of being rooted beyond change.”
Explore related themes: equanimity (23 verses), samatva (13 verses), brahman (10 verses)