ahankāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ parigraham
vimuchya nirmamaḥ śhānto brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
ahankāram — egotism;
balam — violence;
darpam — arrogance;
kāmam — desire;
krodham — anger;
parigraham — selfishness;
vimuchya — being freed from;
nirmamaḥ — without possessiveness of property;
śhāntaḥ — peaceful;
brahma-bhūyāya — union with Brahman;
kalpate — is fit
In this verse, Krishna teaches us what it means to truly grow spiritually and connect with a higher reality, referred to as Brahman. To do this, one must let go of several negative traits and feelings that often take hold of us in our daily lives.
Firstly, 'egoism' refers to thinking too highly of oneself, feeling superior, or overly focused on one's own identity. When we are caught up in our ego, we often forget the bigger picture and can act in ways that aren't kind or fair. By letting go of this egoistic attitude, we begin to understand that we are more than just our titles or roles in life; we are part of a larger whole.
Next comes 'strength' and 'arrogance.' Often, people seek power over others or feel proud of their achievements, leading them to look down on those who haven't reached the same level. Krishna suggests that true strength lies in humility and kindness rather than dominance. By being humble, we allow ourselves to connect more deeply with others and the world around us.
The words 'desire' and 'anger' point to our emotional struggles. Desires can lead us to chase after things that don’t really matter for our happiness, making us restless. Anger, on the other hand, can poison our relationships and decisions. Krishna encourages us to let go of these powerful, often destructive emotions, suggesting that peace comes from understanding ourselves and the world better.
'Covetousness' refers to a strong desire for what belongs to others. This can lead to jealousy and resentment, further clouding our ability to feel content. By freeing ourselves from such possessiveness, we start to recognize that what we truly need for peace isn’t material possessions but rather love, kindness, and understanding in our interactions with others.
When we talk about being 'free from the notion of mine,' it means we stop clinging to the idea of ownership. Many of us think of our belongings, relationships, and achievements as extensions of ourselves. However, Krishna reminds us that nothing is truly ours; everything is temporary. This realization helps reduce stress and anxiety about losing what we think we possess.
Achieving this state of peace—being 'shantaḥ' means we become calm and balanced, regardless of what happens around us. When challenges come our way, we learn to face them with understanding rather than reacting with stress or aggression.
Finally, Krishna says that this peaceful, non-attached state makes one 'fit for becoming Brahman.' This means that when we let go of these negative traits and adopt a simpler, more peaceful way of being, we open ourselves to a higher understanding of life. We become connected to everything and everyone, living in harmony with the universe, which is what Brahman symbolizes. In essence, through inner transformation, we align our consciousness with the ultimate truth of existence.