📿 Shloka Collection

Buddhiyukto Jahateeha

Gita 2.50 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2 — Sankhya Yoga
बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते ।
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ॥
Buddhiyukto jahateeha ubhe sukrita-dushkrite
Tasmad yogaya yujyasva yogah karmasu kaushalam
बुद्धियुक्तः
one united with wisdom
जहाति
leaves behind
इह
in this world
उभे
both
सुकृतदुष्कृते
merit and sin
तस्मात्
therefore
योगाय
for yoga
युज्यस्व
engage yourself
योगः
yoga
कर्मसु कौशलम्
skill in action

Two ideas, each enormous, sit packed in this single shloka. First: the person established in wisdom leaves behind both merit and sin, right here in this life. Second: yoga is karmasu kaushalam — skill in action.

Yogah karmasu kaushalam is one of the Gita's most quoted definitions. Yoga is not withdrawal. It is the art of doing things well — with presence, without clinging. Everyone performs action. The yogi performs it with skill, free from the drag of attachment.

A skilled cook uses the same ingredients everyone else has. The difference is not in the raw materials but in the craft. Likewise, all people act. The difference between ordinary action and yoga lies in how the action is performed — with equanimity, or with craving.

This shloka carries two separate teachings in its two lines. The first line speaks of transcending punya and papa. The second defines yoga as skillful action.

Shlokas 2.47 through 2.50 form a complete arc. Act (2.47). Stay even (2.48). Take refuge in wisdom (2.49). And master the art of action itself (2.50).

Chapter 2 · 50 / 72
Chapter 2 · 50 / 72 Next →