Chapter 2 – Sankhya Yoga
Verse 70
Sanskrit Verse
āpūryamāṇam achala-pratiṣhṭhaṁ
samudram āpaḥ praviśhanti yadvat
tadvat kāmā yaṁ praviśhanti sarve
sa śhāntim āpnoti na kāma-kāmī
Simple Meaning
O Arjuna!
Just as countless rivers enter the ever-full and steady ocean, yet the ocean remains unmoved, similarly, a person into whom many desires enter but who remains undisturbed attains peace. Not the one who constantly longs for desires.
Detailed Explanation
The Example of the Ocean
Krishna uses the powerful image of the ocean to explain the nature of a wise and spiritually steady person.
Rivers continuously flow into the ocean, yet the ocean remains calm, full, and stable without overflowing or becoming disturbed.
Similarly, a wise person remains peaceful even when surrounded by desires and worldly situations.
Freedom from Endless Desires
Ordinary people constantly chase new desires and pleasures.
Even after fulfilling one desire, another arises.
This endless cycle creates restlessness, dissatisfaction, and mental disturbance.
But a spiritually awakened person does not become controlled by desires.
Inner Stability and Peace
Krishna teaches that real peace does not come from satisfying every desire.
True peace comes from inner contentment and self-mastery.
A person who remains calm despite external attractions develops lasting peace and clarity.
Desire vs Contentment
The one who is attached to material pleasures always remains anxious and unsatisfied.
However, the person established in wisdom experiences fulfillment within and no longer depends on external objects for happiness.
The Path of Spiritual Maturity
A spiritually mature person accepts life calmly and remains balanced in all situations.
Just as the ocean remains steady despite receiving endless waters,
the wise remain unaffected by praise, gain, pleasure, or temptation.
Key Points
- The wise person is compared to the calm ocean
- Endless desires create restlessness
- Inner contentment brings true peace
- Self-control leads to spiritual stability
- Real happiness comes from within
Profound Spiritual Meaning
This verse teaches that peace cannot be achieved through endless fulfillment of desires.
The more a person chases worldly cravings, the more the mind becomes disturbed.
Krishna reveals that true peace belongs to the person who rises above attachment and remains inwardly fulfilled.
The deeper truth is: Inner stability is greater than external pleasure.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Āpūryamāṇam – Ever being filled
Achala-pratiṣhṭham – Steady and unmoving
Samudram – Ocean
Āpaḥ – Waters / rivers
Praviśhanti – Enter
Yadvat – Just as
Tadvat – Similarly
Kāmāḥ – Desires
Yam – Into whom
Praviśhanti – Enter
Sarve – All
Saḥ – That person
Śhāntim – Peace
Āpnoti – Attains
Na – Not
Kāma-kāmī – One who desires desires
Message of the Shloka
A person who remains steady and undisturbed despite the flow of desires attains true peace.
Krishna teaches that lasting happiness comes not from fulfilling endless desires, but from inner contentment, self-control, and spiritual wisdom.
