Shloka 33
अक्षरब्रह्मयोगः | Akṣara-Brahma-Yoga
The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman
अजुन उवाच योअ<यं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्त: साम्येन मधुसूदन । एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चड्चलत्वात् स्थितिं स्थिराम्,अर्जुन बोले--हे मधुसूदन! जो यह योग* आपने समभावसे कहा है, मनके चंचल होनेसे मैं इसकी नित्य स्थितिको नहीं देखता हूँ
arjuna uvāca yo 'yaṁ yogas tvayā proktaḥ sāmyena madhusūdana | etasyāhaṁ na paśyāmi cañcalatvāt sthitiṁ sthirām ||
Arjuna said: O Madhusūdana, this discipline of yoga that you have taught as equanimity—I do not see how it can attain a steady, lasting establishment, because the mind is restless and unsteady. In the midst of the moral crisis of war, Arjuna admits that inner balance is ethically compelling, yet practically difficult to sustain when the mind keeps wavering.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arjuna highlights a practical ethical problem: although yoga as equanimity is ideal, the mind’s inherent restlessness makes sustained inner steadiness difficult. The verse sets up the need for methods of mental discipline (abhyāsa) and detachment (vairāgya) to make equanimity workable.
During Kṛṣṇa’s instruction on yoga, Arjuna responds candidly that he cannot see how the taught practice can remain firmly established, because his mind is unstable. This is a turning point where the student voices the obstacle that the teacher must address.