Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, Shloka 44

Sankhya Yoga

Devanagari script

भोगैश्वर्यप्रसक्तानां तयापहृतचेतसाम् । व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिः समाधौ न विधीयते ॥ २.४४ ॥

Transliteration

bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānāṁ tayāpahṛta-cetasām | vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ samādhau na vidhīyate || 2.44 ||

Translation

For those attached to enjoyment and power, whose minds are carried away by that (flowery speech), the steadfast, single-pointed intellect is not established in samādhi.

Gita Press Meaning

For those attached to enjoyment and power, whose minds are carried away by that (flowery speech), the resolute intellect does not arise in samādhi.

Critical Edition Meaning

For those clinging to enjoyment and lordship, whose consciousness is stolen away by that, one-pointed resolute understanding is not established in samādhi.

Comparative Note

samādhi here can mean meditative integration/collectedness rather than a technical later-yoga absorption alone. The verse links attachment (prasakti) to attentional capture (apahṛta-cetas), obstructing stable resolve (vyavasāyātmikā buddhi).

Word by Word

• भोग: in/with enjoyments (sense-pleasures)
• Root: भोग

• ऐश्वर्य: in/with lordship, wealth, power
• Root: ऐश्वर्य

• प्रसक्तानाम्: of those who are attached
• Root: प्रसक्त

• तया: by that (attachment/that state)
• तया: Karana
• Root: तद्

• अपहृत: carried away, stolen away
• Root: अप-√हृ

• चेतसाम्: of (their) minds
• Root: चेतस्

• व्यवसायात्मिका: single-pointed in resolve; of the nature of determined purpose
• Root: व्यवसायात्मिक

• बुद्धिः: intellect, understanding
• बुद्धिः: Karta
• Root: बुद्धि

• समाधौ: in samādhi, in deep concentration
• समाधौ: Adhikarana
• Root: समाधि

• न: not
• Root: न

• विधीयते: is established/ordained; comes to be fixed
• Root: √धा (वि+धा)

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Bhoga (enjoyment)
• Aiśvarya (power/prosperity)
• Samādhi (collectedness)
• Vyavasāya (resolve)

Key Themes

• Attachment as distraction
• Conditions for concentration
• Critique of reward fixation

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It describes attentional hijacking: strong attachment to rewards scatters the mind, making sustained focus and clear commitment difficult.

Metaphysical meaning?

It implies that inner integration (samādhi) is incompatible with a consciousness dominated by craving for enjoyment and status, which perpetuates karmic entanglement.

Contextual relevance?

This concludes the critique of reward-centered religiosity and reinforces why buddhi-yoga requires a shift from external incentives to inner steadiness.

Modern Application?

It can be applied to consumerism and status anxiety: reducing compulsive reward-seeking can support mental clarity, ethical steadiness, and contemplative practice.