Gita 18.42
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च । ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ॥
śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam
In essence: Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, patience, uprightness, knowledge, experiential wisdom, and faith—these are the natural qualities defining brahmana-dharma.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Are these qualities that a brahmana must cultivate, or are they naturally present?"
Guru: "Both. The term 'svabhāva-jam'—born of nature—indicates that one with brahmana orientation has these qualities as natural tendencies. They find serenity attractive, austerity meaningful, knowledge fulfilling. But these tendencies require cultivation to become fully developed. It is like having a seed that must be watered and nurtured to grow into a tree."
Sadhak: "What is the difference between śama and dama?"
Guru: "Śama is internal—quieting the mind, reducing mental agitation. Dama is external—restraining the senses from running toward objects. A person may have dama but not śama—outwardly controlled but inwardly disturbed. Or śama without dama—calm inside but still chasing sensory pleasures. The brahmana develops both: peaceful mind AND restrained senses."
Sadhak: "And the difference between jñāna and vijñāna?"
Guru: "Jñāna is knowing about fire; vijñāna is having been burned. Jñāna is studying scriptures and understanding intellectually; vijñāna is realizing the truth in direct experience. Many have jñāna—they can quote texts, explain philosophy. Fewer have vijñāna—they have actually tasted what the texts describe. The true brahmana moves from jñāna to vijñāna."
Sadhak: "What does āstikyam mean? Faith in what?"
Guru: "Āstikyam is faith in the deeper dimensions of reality—that there is more than the material world, that dharma matters, that spiritual practice leads to realization, that the teachings of the wise are trustworthy. It is not blind belief but a fundamental orientation toward transcendence. The opposite—nāstikyam—is denial of all this, reducing existence to matter alone."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Self-assess: 'Which of these nine qualities is strongest in me? Which needs most development?' Śama: Am I serene? Dama: Are my senses controlled? Tapaḥ: Do I practice discipline? Śaucam: Is there purity? Kṣānti: Can I forgive? Ārjavam: Am I straightforward? Jñāna: Do I study? Vijñāna: Have I realized? Āstikyam: Is my faith steady?
Choose one quality to consciously cultivate today. If it's kṣānti, notice every opportunity for irritation and practice patience. If it's ārjavam, ensure your speech perfectly matches your thought. Small conscious practice throughout the day builds the quality gradually.
Reflect on your practice. 'How did I do with today's chosen quality? Where did I succeed? Where did I fall short?' Without harsh judgment, assess honestly. Then offer the entire effort—successes and failures—as practice toward embodying your natural dharma.