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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.37

Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes

यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् ।

तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ॥ ३७ ॥

yat tad agre viṣam iva

pariṇāme ’mṛtopamam

tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam

ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam

Translation

That which in the beginning may be just like poison but at the end is just like nectar and which awakens one to self-realization is said to be happiness in the mode of goodness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Happiness in the Mode of Goodness

  1. 1Happiness in goodness may begin like poison but ends like nectar and awakens self-realization.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that rules for controlling the mind and senses are difficult, but success brings real happiness on the transcendental level.
  3. 3Be patient with the difficult practice of controlling the mind and senses in pursuit of self-realization.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 18, The Perfection of Renunciation: knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.37 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 18 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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