śhrī bhagavān uvācha
prajahāti yadā kāmān sarvān pārtha mano-gatān
ātmany-evātmanā tuṣhṭaḥ sthita-prajñas tadochyate
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha — The Supreme Lord said;
prajahāti — discards;
yadā — when;
kāmān — selfish desires;
sarvān — all;
pārtha — Arjun, the son of Pritha;
manaḥ-gatān — of the mind;
ātmani — of the self;
eva — only;
ātmanā — by the purified mind;
tuṣhṭaḥ — satisfied;
sthita-prajñaḥ — one with steady intellect;
tadā — at that time;
uchyate — is said
In this verse, Lord Krishna explains a key concept about inner peace and contentment. He is talking to Arjuna about what it means to truly find happiness and to be steady in one's mind.
1. **Giving Up Desires**: Krishna begins by saying that a person needs to let go of all kinds of desires that come from thinking and imagining too much, which he refers to as 'selfish desires'. This means that we often create desires in our minds based on external influences — like advertisements, peer pressures, or even what we see on social media. Instead of chasing after these fleeting desires, Krishna advises us to let them go.
2. **Finding Satisfaction Within**: The second part of the verse emphasizes the importance of finding fulfillment within oneself. When someone stops looking for happiness in external things, like material possessions or recognition from others, and instead looks inward to their true self, they can find a more lasting peace. This satisfaction is deeper and more meaningful than any temporary pleasure that comes from achieving outward desires.
3. **State of Pure Consciousness**: When a person reaches this state of mind, where they are not affected by the ups and downs of life, they are referred to as being in 'pure transcendental consciousness'. This means they have risen above the usual worries and struggles that come with wanting and needing things, and they live in a state of calmness and steady happiness.
4. **The Role of Krsna Consciousness**: The interpretation further explains that engaging deeply in Krsna consciousness — which essentially means dedicating oneself to understanding and serving God — can help in letting go of these shallow desires. It’s like being so focused on something valuable that all distractions fade away. For instance, if you are deeply engaged in a hobby that brings you joy — let’s say painting — you might stop caring about what happens around you, like a criticism on social media, because you are lost in that activity.
5. **Qualities of a Developed Soul**: The verse highlights that when someone is truly aware of themselves as a servant of God, they start to reflect the good qualities of wise and enlightened individuals. Instead of seeking validation from the world, they shine from within, showing kindness, patience, and understanding in their interactions.
6. **Moving Beyond Materialism**: Krishna is helping Arjuna see that chasing after superficial things leads to temporary happiness, which eventually causes dissatisfaction. In contrast, when we align ourselves with a higher purpose or spiritual understanding, we connect with an endless source of peace and happiness.
In simpler terms, it’s like understanding that true joy doesn't come from the new phone you want or the latest trends, but rather from feeling good about who you are and your connection to something bigger than yourself. When you stop getting caught up in what your mind tells you to chase and focus instead on just being, you become more in tune with true happiness.