BG 2.55
Krishna replied: When one renounces all desires of the mind and is content in the self alone, they are said to possess steady wisdom.
प्रजहाति यदा कामान् सर्वान् पार्थ मनोगतान्
आत्मन्येवात्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञस्तदोच्यते
The term sthita-prajñas is difficult to translate due to the idea of prajña. The first part sthitha means "staying" or "existing", and is often translated to "steady" or "firm" in other translations. The second word prajñas is often translated to "wisdom", and in this translation, "steady wisdom" is a translation used consistently.
Prajña refers to the highest and purest form of wisdom, intelligence, and understanding. It is referred to in the Aitareya Upanishad as the root of all cosmic phenomenon, and was extensively commented on by Adi Sankara. It is a state of wisdom which is considered higher than what one may obtain through reasoning, inference, and scriptural knowledge.
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श्री भगवानुवाच
śhrī bhagavān uvācha — Krishna said
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prajahāti — discards
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yadā — when
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kāmān — selfish desires
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sarvān — all
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pārtha — Arjuna
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mano-gatān — of the mind
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mano
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gatān
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ātmany-evātmanā — of the self only by the purified mind
ātmani—of the self; eva—only; ātmanā—by the purified mind-
ātmany
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evātmanā
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tuṣhṭaḥ — satisfied
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sthita-prajñas — steady intellect
The term sthita is closest in meaning to "staying" or "existing", and combined with prajñas, it refers to a term that is found repeatedly in the Gita, translated as "steady wisdom" or "steady intellect" but may most literally be translated to "one who is firmly established in the highest and purest form of wisdom, intelligence, and understanding". It is a state of wisdom which is considered higher than what one may obtain through reasoning, inference, and memorization of scriptures.-
sthita — staying
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prajñas — highest wisdom
prajñaḥ
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tadochyate — is said at that time
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tadā — at that time
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uchyate — is said
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Krishna replied: When one renounces all desires of the mind and is content in the self alone, they are said to possess steady wisdom. A sage of steady wisdom is undisturbed by misery, does not crave pleasure, and remains free from attachment, fear, and anger. One who remains unattached, who is neither delighted nor dejected by finding either good or evil, has steady wisdom. When one is able to withdraw their senses from external stimulation like a tortoise retracts its limbs, one establishes steady wisdom.
Similar verses
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Krishna replied: The mind is indeed fickle and difficult to restrain, but it can be brought under control through practice and renunciation.
- Verse 6.35
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Krishna replied: The sages know that renunciation is forgoing any action that springs from desire, while relinquishing is the forgoing of its fruit.
- Verse 18.2
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When one can control their mind and perceive the world with senses that are free from craving and aversion, they achieve divine serenity.
- Verse 2.64
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One whose mind is entirely detached, who has conquered the self and is free from desire, attains through renunciation the supreme perfection and freedom from action.
- Verse 18.49
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When the mind is subdued and remains centered in the self, one attains freedom from cravings and desire.
- Verse 6.18