Loading...
Current layer: Translation
Chapter 18 • Verse 30
The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna explains sattvic intellect. 'Pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye bandhaṁ mokṣaṁ ca yā vetti'—that intellect (yā buddhiḥ) which understands (vetti) engagement (pravṛttim) and withdrawal (nivṛttim), what should be done (kārya) and what should not be done (akārye), fear (bhaya) and fearlessness (abhaye), bondage (bandham) and liberation (mokṣam). 'Buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī'—that intellect (sā buddhiḥ) is sattvic (sāttvikī), O Arjuna (pārtha). This is sattvic intellect: clear understanding of what to do and what not to do, when to engage and when to withdraw, what creates bondage and what leads to liberation, what to fear and what not to fear. This is the highest kind of intellect: clear, discerning, understanding the deeper implications of actions and choices. You understand the distinction between duty and non-duty, between what binds and what liberates, between appropriate fear and appropriate fearlessness. This is the path: clear understanding of right action and its consequences.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
This verse explains sattvic intellect: that intellect which understands engagement and withdrawal (pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca), what should be done and what should not be done (kāryākārye), fear and fearlessness (bhayābhaye), bondage and liberation (bandhaṁ mokṣaṁ ca yā vetti), is sattvic (buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī). This is the highest kind of intellect: clear, discerning, understanding the deeper implications of actions and choices. You understand the distinction between duty and non-duty, between what binds and what liberates, between appropriate fear and appropriate fearlessness. When you understand this, you realize: you can develop clear understanding of right action, when to engage and when to withdraw, what creates bondage and what leads to liberation. This is the path: clear understanding of right action and its consequences, leading to wise choices and freedom.
Personal Reflection
Do you have clear understanding of what to do and what not to do, when to engage and when to withdraw, what creates bondage and what leads to liberation? What would change if you understood sattvic intellect—clear, discerning understanding of right action and its consequences?
Shortcuts
←/→ Verses
↑/↓ Layers