BG 2.72

esha brahmi sthitih partha

nainam prapya vimuhyati

sthitvasyam antakale ‘pi

brahmanirvanam ricchati

SYNONYMS

esha — this; brahmi — spiritual; sthitih — situation; parthaO son of Pritha; na — never; enam — this; prapya — achieving; vimuhyati — one is bewildered; sthitva — being situated; asyamin this; antakale — at the end of life; api — also; brahmanirvanam — the spiritual kingdom of God; ricchati — one attains.

TRANSLATION

That is the way of the spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is not bewildered. If one is thus situated even at the hour of death, one can enter into the kingdom of God.

“Esha” -> This, “brahmi sthitih” -> spiritual state, “partha” -> Arjuna.

“Nainam prapya vimuhyati” -> One who attains this state will not become deluded.

“Sthitvasyam” -> When one is situated thus, “anta-kale ‘pi” -> even at the moment of death.

“Brahma-nirvanam ricchati” -> They will attain Brahma-nirvana / supreme liberation.

So, “esha” means “Thus.” What does this “esha” refer to? It refers to what was given in earlier verses. Verses 70 and 71 talked about the stage of “Shanti.” Therefore, Krishna is saying that one who is at the state of “Shanti” attains the spiritual state referred to as “esha brahmi sthitih partha.”

Being spiritually situated in this manner has two results. First, one will not be deluded again (“nainam prapya vimuhyati”). Second, if one is situated like this at the time of “anta-kale ‘pi,” then they will attain liberation. This is the first reference in the Gita to the significance of “Anant Kal,” having special consciousness at the time of death. We must strive to attain that consciousness more in Chapter 8. This is a prelude.

In English, there are masculine and feminine genders, but in Sanskrit, there is also a neutral gender.

“Brahmi sthitih” -> In “Hari namamrita vayakaran” (grammar based on the nectar of the holy name), Jiv Goswami has identified spiritual gender: Narayan/Lakshmi genders. However, he has identified Brahman as a neutral gender. Yet, here, “Brahmi Sthitih” is in the feminine gender. This can be taken as a hint for Radha Rani. By her grace, we attain Krishna. Radha Rani gives Bhakti. Once we are in that Brahman stage, we will not be deluded. This will be referred to in 9.13. Both of these references to Radha Rani in the Bhagavad Gita are indirect. Now, the question is when we will attain it – in a few seconds or not even in millennia of births. It is simply a matter of understanding and accepting the facts. If we are situated thus, we are liberated.

Prabhupad ensured that we understand the conclusion of the Bhagavad Gita, and it remains in the forefront of our minds. While the Bhagavad Gita talks about many concepts, Prabhupad has connected them with the conclusion of the Gita. He ensured that the most important aspects are not lost from our vision. What is most important stays with us and enables us to move forward in our spiritual life. In the conclusion of the second chapter, Krishna has explained how one can remain “sthita Prajna” and how one can attain liberation.”