Inner Peace (Shanti) in the Bhagavad Gita
How to attain lasting peace of mind amidst life's chaos, noise, and uncertainties.
Definition & Meaning
Inner peace (Shanti) is a tranquil state of mind undisturbed by external turmoil or sensory desires.
Meaning in the Bhagavad Gita
In Chapter 2 Verse 70, Krishna compares the peaceful person to the ocean: rivers pour into it, yet it remains undisturbed.
Important Verses on peace
There is no knowledge of the Self for the unsteady, and no meditation is possible for the unsteady, and no peace for the unmeditative, and how can there be happiness for one who has no peace?
He attains peace into whom all desires enter, just as waters enter the ocean which, filled from all sides, remains unmoved; but not the man who is full of desires.
That person attains peace who, abandoning all desires, moves about without longing, without the sense of ownership, and without egoism.
He who knows Me as the enjoyer of sacrifices and austerities, the great Lord of all the worlds, and the friend of all beings, attains peace.
Practical Application in Daily Life
Do not let external events dictate your internal mood. Be like the steady ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the famous ocean metaphor for peace in BG 2.70?
Just as the ocean remains steady despite rivers entering it, a peaceful person remains steady despite desires entering the mind.
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