Verse 18.52
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः | ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः ||५२||
Transliteration (IAST)
vivikta-sevī laghv-āśī yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ | dhyāna-yoga-paro nityaṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāśritaḥ ||52||
Word-by-Word Meanings
vivikta-sevī-dwelling in solitude
laghu-āśī-eating lightly
yata-vāk-with speech controlled
kāya-mānasaḥ-body and mind (controlled)
dhyāna-yoga-paraḥ-devoted to meditation
nityam-always
vairāgyam-dispassion
samupāśritaḥ-having taken refuge in
Translation
Dwelling in solitude, eating lightly, with speech, body, and mind controlled, ever devoted to meditation, and taking refuge in dispassion -
Commentary
Krishna continues describing the lifestyle of one progressing toward Brahman-realization. Shankaracharya explains that these are not mere external observances but reflect an inner state of detachment. Ramanuja notes that 'vivikta-sevī' means seeking environments conducive to contemplation, and 'laghu-āśī' means eating only what sustains the body for spiritual practice.
Themes
yogajnanamoksha