Sthitaprajna--the Perfect Man

In the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krishna teaches Arjuna, His disciple, the Yoga of Knowledge. A discussion of karma yoga and the "Perfect Man" commences at verse 45.

Verse 45
Rituals assure worldly gain But a wise man is free from gain and pain Established in tranquility He attains the yoga of equanimity

Verse 46
Of what use is a reservoir If one has a place flooded with water? For a sage of enlightenment What good are rituals of small attainment?

Verse 47
To work only do you have the right But not to seek its fruit Continue doing right action Neither be attached to inaction

Verse 48
Dwelling always in piety Without attachment, do your duty Go beyond all duality For yoga means equanimity

Verse 49
Selfish action is inferior Selfless action is superior Poor are those who crave for fruit Evenness of mind is great

Verse 50
Being endowed with equanimity One sheds all duality Perfection in action is yoga Take your refuge in yoga

Verse 51
Renouncing the fruit of works Freed from birth and death cycles A wise man keeps his mind stable And attains the state blissful

Verse 52
Once you cross this mire of delusion Then you grow indifferent to illusion And to what has been heard and is yet to be heard In this world and the other worlds

Verse 53
Conflicting statements confuse Withdraw your mind from all these Remain steadfast in meditation You will attain illumination

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