Verse-54
Chapter 2 — Sānkhya Yog
Verse 54
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
|| Arjuna uvaacha ||
sthitaprajñasya kā bhāṣā samādhisthasya keśava
sthitadhīḥ kiṁ prabhāṣeta kimāsīta vrajeta kim
🕉 English Translation
📜 Translation
English
Arjun said: O Keshav! What is the description of the man who is self-absorbed, abiding in God and of stable intellect? How does the man of steady wisdom speak? How does he sit and how does he walk?
The style of preaching used in the Gita is in the form of dialogue. Arjun has accepted to be the disciple of Lord Krishna–'shishyaste aham shadimam tvaam prapannam' even then it is the sublimity of the inspiration provided by the Gita. Lord Krishna is the Supreme guide of the world–'krishnam vande jagat gurum'. But He does not thrust His own view upon Arjun. He has the liberty to put forward his view and to question. For any scripture this is an excellent state. Along with it, if is the dignity of the scripture and glory of the inspiration given in the scripture. It is also the main reason why the Gita is lauded the world over.
Arjun question being appropriate at the same time is necessary to carry forward the sermon of the Gita and provide motivation. In one question, Arjun has put forward four enquiries. What is the description of the man of stable intellect? How does he speak, sit and walk? From an ordinary point of view the question somehow appears to be meaningless. Is it necessary to ask about the way of speaking, sitting or walking of a great soul? But from a thoughtful view the question carries deep implications.
Another question springs from the question already put forward by Arjun that what advantage will it be to the masses to know the attributes of the person of steady wisdom who has experienced the spiritual Truth. In fact whatever are the attributes of a man of perfection becomes the motivating force for the seeker. Those who do not have the least interest in self-elevation require no mention but it is meant for those who wish to progress on the path of spiritual evolution.