Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.37 यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम्
श्लोक 18.37
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् ।
तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ॥
yattadagre viṣamiva pariṇāme'mṛtopamam |
tatsukhaṃ sāttvikaṃ proktamātmabuddhiprasādajam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो आरंभ में विष के समान लगता है, परंतु परिणाम में अमृत के समान होता है, और अपनी बुद्धि की निर्मलता से उत्पन्न होता है, वह सुख सात्त्विक कहा गया है।
Meaning in English
which is like poison at first but like nectar in the end, born of the clarity of one's own mind: that happiness is called sattvic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.37 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यत् | yat | which |
| तत् | tat | that |
| अग्रे | agre | at first |
| विषम् | viṣam | poison |
| इव | iva | like |
| परिणामे | pariṇāme | in the end |
| अमृतोपमम् | amṛta-upamam | like nectar |
| तत् | tat | that |
| सुखम् | sukham | happiness |
| सात्त्विकम् | sāttvikam | sattvic |
| प्रोक्तम् | proktam | is declared |
| आत्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् | ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam | born of the clarity of one's own mind |
Explanation
The happiness that seems like poison at first but turns out like nectar in the end, and that arises from the clarity of one's own understanding, is called sattvic. Discipline is hard to begin, but its fruit is a lasting, quiet joy.
This is one of the Gita's most quoted images. Shankara explains the early poison as the effort of study, detachment and meditation, which feel bitter before they ripen. Ramanuja reads ātma-buddhi as understanding focused on the Self, whose clarity yields this joy. Others read ātma-buddhi-prasāda simply as serenity of one's own mind. Vivekananda and many teachers have used the verse to encourage perseverance through the hard early stages of any discipline.
भावार्थ
जो सुख आरम्भ में विष के समान लगता है परन्तु परिणाम में अमृत के समान होता है, और जो अपनी बुद्धि की निर्मलता से उत्पन्न होता है, वह सात्त्विक सुख कहा गया है।
Living it today
If a good habit feels bitter at first, that is normal. Keep going; the sweetness usually comes later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.37?
The happiness that seems like poison at first but turns out like nectar in the end, and that arises from the clarity of one's own understanding, is called sattvic. Discipline is hard to begin, but its fruit is a lasting, quiet joy.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.37?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.37 in daily life?
If a good habit feels bitter at first, that is normal. Keep going; the sweetness usually comes later.
Reflected on verse 18.37?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.