Dhyayato Vishayan Pumsah (Bhagavad Gita 2.62) — Word-by-Word Meaning
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ध्यायतः
dhyāyataḥ
contemplating, dwelling upon
विषयान्
viṣhayān
sense objects
पुंसः
puṁsaḥ
of a person
सङ्गः
saṅgaḥ
attachment
तेषु
teṣhu
to them (the sense objects)
उपजायते
upajāyate
arises
सङ्गात्
saṅgāt
from attachment
संजायते
sañjāyate
develops, is born
कामः
kāmaḥ
desire
कामात्
kāmāt
from desire
क्रोधः
krodhaḥ
anger
अभिजायते
abhijāyate
arises
Complete Translation
When one thinks of sense objects, attachment to them arises; from attachment is born desire, and from desire arises anger.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 62
Author: Veda Vyasa (Lord Krishna's teaching)
Period: Itihasa (Mahabharata)
In the Sankhya Yoga, the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna describes the marks of a person of steady wisdom (sthitaprajna). To show the danger of an uncontrolled mind, he traces in this verse how merely dwelling on sense objects gives rise to attachment, then desire, then anger — a chain that, in the following verse, leads to total ruin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Dhyayato Vishayan Pumsah?▼
From Bhagavad Gita 2.62, it means: 'When a person dwells on sense objects, attachment to them arises; from attachment is born desire, and from desire arises anger.' It describes how the mind, by brooding on objects, sets off a chain leading to anger.
What is the famous 'ladder of fall' described here?▼
This verse with the next (2.63) describes the downward chain: brooding on sense objects → attachment → desire → anger → delusion → loss of memory → loss of intellect → ruin. It is one of the Gita's most cited teachings on how the mind falls.
How does this verse help in daily life?▼
By revealing the root of anger and craving, it gives the practitioner the awareness to intervene early — catching the first stage of dwelling on objects before it grows into desire and anger. It is a practical guide to self-mastery and emotional balance.
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