A core teaching · calming in mood · a little context helps
“True fulfillment leaves nothing more to chase and nothing strong enough to unsettle you.”
Having attained it, one thinks no greater gain exists. Established in it, one is not shaken even by great sorrow.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallywhich · having attained · and · another · gain · one considers · not · greater · than that · in which · established · not · by sorrow · heavy · even · is shaken
A person who reaches this state sees nothing greater to attain and cannot be shaken even by severe suffering.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Dhyana Yoga" (The Yoga of Meditation).
Verse 22 sits in Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — Dhyana Yoga, "The Yoga of Meditation". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
At her husband's funeral, an old woman weeps and still stands steady to receive the mourners. Krishna speaks of a state so settled that even great sorrow does not topple the one who rests in it.
Did you like this verse?
Once gained, this state makes every other gain look smaller, and even heavy sorrow cannot shake it.
What this verse means
A person who reaches this state sees nothing greater to attain and cannot be shaken even by severe suffering.
Context & commentary
Arjuna's mind is being trained to settle beyond fear and restlessness. Krishna describes a state so complete that no gain seems higher, and even heavy sorrow cannot disturb it.
What it looks like today
At her husband's funeral, an old woman weeps and still stands steady to receive the mourners. Krishna speaks of a state so settled that even great sorrow does not topple the one who rests in it.
“Reach this inner state and even great grief cannot knock you over.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), dhyana (31 verses)