Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, Shloka 66
Sankhya Yoga
नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना । न चाभावयतः शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम् ॥ २.६६ ॥
nāsti buddhir ayuktasya na cāyuktasya bhāvanā | na cābhāvayataḥ śāntir aśāntasya kutaḥ sukham || 2.66 ||
For the unyoked (unsteady) there is no wisdom; for the unyoked there is no bhāvanā (inner contemplation). For one who does not contemplate there is no peace; and for the unpeaceful, whence happiness?
For the unsteady (ayukta) there is no wisdom; for the unsteady there is no meditation (bhāvanā); for one without meditation there is no peace; and for one without peace, whence happiness?
For one who is not integrated/disciplined, there is no understanding; nor for the undisciplined is there sustained contemplation; for one who does not cultivate contemplation there is no calm; for the uncalm, how could there be well-being?
Ayukta is interpreted as ‘undisciplined’ or ‘not yoked/integrated’ (as opposed to yogin). Bhāvanā can mean meditation, cultivation, or sustained reflective practice; the verse frames a causal chain from discipline to happiness.
FAQs
It presents an interdependence model: lack of self-regulation undermines reflective capacity; without reflective cultivation, calm is unstable; without calm, durable satisfaction is unlikely.
The verse is primarily practical-ethical: it treats happiness as rooted in mental composure rather than external acquisition, aligning with broader Indian soteriological emphases on inner transformation.
It supports the argument that steadiness of mind is necessary for reliable discernment (buddhi) and for the peace associated with yogic realization.
It can be applied as a guideline: build routines that support attention and reflection (sleep, moderation, contemplative practice) to improve emotional stability and well-being.