ब्रह्मभूत: प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति ।
सम: सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ॥ ५४ ॥
brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śhochati na kāṅkṣhati
samaḥ sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām
श्लोक ५४: जो मनुष्य ब्रह्म को प्राप्त कर लेता है, वह शांत रहता है, न शोक का अनुभव करता है और न ही उसकी कोई इच्छा होती है,वह सभी प्राणियों को समान दृष्टि से देखता है। ऐसा व्यक्ति मेरे प्रति परम भक्ति को प्राप्त करता है।
Shloka 54: One who attains the stage of Brahman, remains tranquil in mind, neither grieving nor desiring, seeing all beings equally, such a person attains supreme devotion to Me.
Verse 18.54 of the Bhagavad Gita describes a transformative stage in spiritual evolution, highlighting the essential qualities and inner state of a person who has attained Brahman realization. This state, called brahma-bhūtaḥ, is one of profound serenity and satisfaction. Here, the soul is no longer restless or burdened by the pull of desires and regrets. Instead, it enjoys a radiant, tranquil happiness—a prasannātmā, or joyful soul—that is not dependent on external circumstances or material gains.
The verse emphasizes that in this elevated spiritual state, the mind becomes steady and luminous. The person does not lament over the past—na śocati—nor do they yearn for what is absent—na kāṅkṣati. The old oscillations of sorrow and longing, which arise from identifying with the temporary body and fleeting experiences, are replaced by a calm contentment that comes from realizing the true nature of the self as eternal. This freedom from inner agitation marks a radical shift from ordinary consciousness to one utterly unshaken by the ups and downs of life.
Integral to this experience is the ability to see all living beings with equality, referred to as samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu. The realized person perceives every creature—regardless of status, appearance, or behavior—as an equally divine manifestation of the same underlying reality. Friend and foe, rich and poor, human and animal—all are recognized as expressions of the same spiritual essence. This impartial vision naturally dissolves envy, prejudice, and the need to assert superiority or inferiority, nurturing a deep sense of unity and compassion for all.
What sets this verse apart is the pivot it presents: while reaching the Brahman platform brings serenity and equanimity, it is not the end of the journey. Krishna reveals that the truly fulfilled soul, after attaining this realization, is then qualified to receive a higher grace—parā bhakti, or pure loving devotion to the Supreme. This progression is vital: the realm of impersonal spiritual realization, though blissful, is only a gateway. The actual culmination is a personal, loving relationship with the Divine, which brings about a joy and fulfillment surpassing even the peace of Brahman realization.
This transition is profound. In the earlier stages, the spiritual aspirant strives for release from worldly suffering—seeking liberation, renunciation, and detachment from bodily identification. But as one grows into the brahma-bhūtaḥ stage, the focus turns from what is being renounced to what is now being embraced: an active, joyful connection with Krishna. Devotion blossoms not out of necessity or compulsion, but from a place of wholeness and clarity. Now, every act of service becomes an expression of love, rather than a means to escape suffering or achieve personal gain.
Experiencing this inner state is like stepping out of a storm into sunlight. The mind, having given up its endless replaying of losses and chasing after future rewards, can finally rest. This is not lifeless passivity, but dynamic presence—an ability to act skillfully and compassionately, untouched by the turbulence of likes and dislikes. The individual becomes a source of harmony, quietly radiating goodwill, stability, and inspiration to those around them.
Krishna’s message in this verse is thus both liberating and elevating. It reassures that the journey doesn’t culminate in detachment alone, but in the awakening of higher love, wherein the soul becomes a willing participant in the Divine play. The realized yogi, having mastered the art of inner balance and universal vision, discovers that the highest joy is not in withdrawal but in the active, loving service of God—a service that is pure, natural, and effortless because it springs from spiritual fullness.
In summary, Bhagavad Gita 18.54 marks the threshold where philosophical realization meets the blooming of divine love. The journey from self-mastery to loving devotion is seamless—the peace of Brahman realization is the fertile ground from which the flower of bhakti grows. This verse invites us to aspire not only for stillness and equality, but for a living, heartfelt relationship with the Divine that transforms both our inner and outer worlds.
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