Loading...
Current layer: Translation
Chapter 2 • Verse 63
The Yoga of Knowledge
MEANING & CONTEXT
This verse completes the cascade from 2.62. From anger (krodhāt) arises delusion (sammohaḥ)—you can't see clearly anymore. From delusion comes memory confusion (smṛti-vibhramaḥ)—you forget your values, who you are. From memory loss comes destroyed discrimination (buddhi-nāśaḥ)—you can't tell right from wrong. From destroyed discrimination, you perish (praṇaśyati)—complete ruin. The full chain: dwelling→attachment→desire→anger→delusion→memory loss→destroyed judgment→ruin. Each stage feeds the next automatically.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Filters
Key Takeaway
Anger cascades like falling dominoes—once it starts, each stage triggers the next. You can't easily stop it mid-fall, but you can catch it early at contemplation (2.62). Once angry, delusion clouds your vision, memory distorts toward grievances, judgment fails, and ruin follows. This is why people in rage do unthinkable things—not because they're bad, but because buddhi-nāśa (destroyed discrimination) temporarily removes their capacity for wise choice.
Personal Reflection
Where am I in this cascade? Still contemplating (can redirect)? Already angry (delusion coming)? In delusion (forgetting who I am)? Can I pause before buddhi-nāśa—before I do something I'll regret?
Shortcuts
←/→ Verses
↑/↓ Layers