Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.59 यदहंकारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे
श्लोक 18.59
यदहंकारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे ।
मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥
yadahaṃkāramāśritya na yotsya iti manyase |
mithyaiṣa vyavasāyaste prakṛtistvāṃ niyokṣyati ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यदि अहंकार का सहारा लेकर तुम सोचते हो कि मैं युद्ध नहीं करूँगा, तो तुम्हारा यह निश्चय व्यर्थ है; तुम्हारा स्वभाव ही तुम्हें युद्ध में लगा देगा।
Meaning in English
If, relying on ego, you think 'I will not fight', your resolve is in vain; your own nature will compel you.
Bhagavad Gita 18.59 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यत् | yat | that which |
| अहंकारम् | ahaṅkāram | ego |
| आश्रित्य | āśritya | relying on |
| न योत्स्ये | na yotsye | I will not fight |
| इति | iti | thus |
| मन्यसे | manyase | you think |
| मिथ्या | mithyā | vain |
| एषः | eṣaḥ | this |
| व्यवसायः | vyavasāyaḥ | resolve |
| ते | te | your |
| प्रकृतिः | prakṛtiḥ | nature |
| त्वाम् | tvām | you |
| नियोक्ष्यति | niyokṣyati | will compel |
Explanation
If, relying on ego, you think, 'I will not fight', your resolve is in vain; your own nature will compel you. Krishna tells Arjuna that his refusal is not a real choice but a passing mood, and that the warrior within him will soon reassert itself.
Krishna recalls Arjuna's words in 2.9, 'I will not fight', and calls that decision false because it springs from ego and confusion, not from wisdom. Arjuna's warrior nature, described in 18.43, cannot be suppressed by a passing mood. Shankara reads prakṛti here as the kshatriya nature that will drive him to act. Ramanuja adds that the gunas, under the Lord's control, will assert themselves. The point echoes 3.33: beings follow their nature, and mere repression achieves nothing.
भावार्थ
अहंकार का सहारा लेकर यदि तुम यह सोचते हो कि 'मैं युद्ध नहीं करूँगा', तो तुम्हारा यह निश्चय झूठा और व्यर्थ है; तुम्हारा क्षत्रिय स्वभाव स्वयं तुम्हें युद्ध में लगा देगा।
Living it today
Decisions made in a moment of fear or wounded pride rarely hold; wait until you are steady before deciding what you will or won't do.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.59?
If, relying on ego, you think, 'I will not fight', your resolve is in vain; your own nature will compel you. Krishna tells Arjuna that his refusal is not a real choice but a passing mood, and that the warrior within him will soon reassert itself.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.59?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.59 in daily life?
Decisions made in a moment of fear or wounded pride rarely hold; wait until you are steady before deciding what you will or won't do.
Reflected on verse 18.59?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.