What is Sankhya Yoga: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2
- myNachiketa
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 9
A Journey to Knowledge
Imagine you are sitting in a car with the driver. Who do you think is in control? It’s the driver who steers the car, right? In the same way, our body is like the car, and our soul is like the driver in this beautiful journey of life. This connection between our soul and body is one of the fascinating teachings of Sankhya Yoga found in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita. This chapter is all about understanding who we really are and how we can find happiness by getting to know ourselves better.
In Sankhya Yoga, we learn about wisdom and the importance of knowledge. It teaches us how to deal with life’s challenges and helps us realise our true self beyond just our physical bodies. It encourages us to focus on our actions and nothing else. Let's explore these ideas and make them easy to understand!
The Essence of Sankhya Yoga
Sankhya Yoga is all about understanding the difference between the body and the soul. Just like the driver safely drives the car without being the car itself, we also need to understand that our true self is the eternal soul within us. This realisation can lead us to peace and stability in our lives. Knowledge is the key here! The more we know about ourselves and the world, the more we can navigate through life's ups and downs.
Important Shlokas from Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita has many shlokas (verses) that beautifully explain these concepts. Let’s look at three important shlokas that teach us about knowledge and self-realisation.
Shloka 1: The Path of Action
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachan
ma karmaphalahetu bhurma te sango stvakarmani
(Chapter 2, verse 47)
This wonderful shloka teaches us that we should focus on doing good actions without worrying about the results. Imagine Sanvi, who studied hard for her exam but is worried about her result. Her mother reminds her of this shloka from the Bhagavad Gita, that it’s important to keep trying and doing his best without being attached to his grades.
Children, it’s like baking a cake. You follow the recipe and put in all the right ingredients, but you can’t control how delicious it turns out. Enjoy the process, and do your best!
Shloka 2: The Eternal Soul
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः।
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥
Nainam chindanti shastrani nainam dahati pavakah
Na chainam kledayantyapo na shoshayati marutah
(Chapter 2, verse 23)
This shloka tells us that the true self (soul) cannot be harmed by weapons, fire, water, or wind! It’s like a superhero that can’t be defeated.
Aditi sometimes feels nervous and afraid during school presentations. This verse reminds her that her true self is strong and protected, and she shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes.
Children, always remember that inside you is a brave soul that can overcome any challenge!
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Shloka 3: Acceptance of change
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदु:खदा: |
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत || Matrasparsas tu kaunteya shitoshna sukha duhkha dah
Agamapayinah anityah tans titikshasva bharata
(Chapter 2, verse 14)
This shloka tells us that feelings like happiness and sadness, heat and cold, come and go—they don’t last forever. They are just like the weather, always changing.
Rima felt really sad when she lost a race at school. But the next day, she had so much fun playing with her friends that she forgot all about it! This verse reminds Meera that just like rainy days don’t last forever, sad and happy moments also come and go.
Children, always remember that difficult times will pass, and good times will come again. Be strong and patient like a brave little warrior who keeps smiling through sunshine and rain!
A Short Story to understand the concept of Sankhya Yoga.
One day, during a school art competition, Kiran and Aditi felt butterflies in their stomachs. Their hands were a little shaky as they put the finishing touches on their artwork. Both were nervous about presenting their work in front of everyone.
But then, Kiran remembered a beautiful teaching from the Bhagavad Gita—to focus on your actions and not worry about the results. That gave him strength. Aditi, on the other hand, thought of another Gita lesson—that the true self, the soul within, is like a superhero that can’t be harmed or defeated. That gave her confidence.
When it was their turn to present, Kiran and Aditi took a deep breath and did their best. They poured their hearts into their art and spoke with honesty and joy. Whether they won or not didn’t matter anymore.
By the end of the day, they were smiling—not because of a trophy, but because they had faced their fears, enjoyed doing what they loved, and learned something new about themselves.
That day, they realised a deeper truth: true success is not in the prize, but in the effort, courage, and joy of doing your best.
Conclusion
Sankhya Yoga teaches us priceless lessons about life, focusing on knowledge and self-awareness. Let's embrace our true selves, understand we’re not just bodies but powerful souls, and take action without being afraid of results. Just like Kiran and Aditi, we too can shine brightly by believing in ourselves and doing our best! So, kids, practice these teachings of the Bhagavad Gita daily and share these wonderful lessons with your friends and family. Remember, knowledge is your greatest companion in your journey of self-discovery!
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