📿 Shloka Collection

Buddher Bhedam Dhriteshchaiva

Gita 18.29 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18 — Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु ।
प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय ॥
Buddher bhedam dhriteshchaiva gunatah trividham shrinu
Prochyamanam asheshena prithaktvena dhananjaya
बुद्धेः भेदम्
the distinctions of intellect
धृतेः च एव
and of fortitude as well
गुणतः
according to the gunas
त्रिविधम्
threefold
अशेषेण
completely, leaving nothing out
पृथक्त्वेन
separately, one by one
धनंजय
Dhananjaya — conqueror of wealth, Arjuna

Krishna signals a new segment of his teaching. He tells Arjuna: now hear the threefold division of intellect and fortitude, classified by the gunas. I will explain each one separately and completely.

The structure of this section is remarkably orderly. Knowledge, action, doer — those have been covered. Now come intellect (the faculty that decides right from wrong) and fortitude (the inner strength that holds mind, breath, and senses steady). After these, happiness will follow. It is a complete map of the human inner world, sorted by sattva, rajas, and tamas.

By addressing Arjuna as Dhananjaya — conqueror of wealth — Krishna subtly reminds him: you have already conquered external battles. Now conquer the inner ones. Understanding your own intellect and fortitude is the way.

Buddhi is the decision-making faculty — the part of us that distinguishes right from wrong, real from unreal. Dhriti is the sustaining power — what holds the mind, life-force, and senses in check. Both are essential for the spiritual path.

Shlokas 18.30-32 will cover the three types of intellect, and 18.33-35 will cover the three types of fortitude. This shloka serves as the introduction to both.

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