क्रोधाद्भवति संमोहः संमोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः। स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति।।2.63।।
krodhad bhavati samohah samohatsmrti vibhramah smritibhrshad buddhinasho buddhinashat pranashyati
Translation
Anger begets delusion; from delusion memory becomes bewildered; from that bewilderment intellect is destroyed; and when intellect is destroyed one perishes.
Word Meanings
krodhād — from anger; bhavati — takes place; saṁmohaḥ — delusion; saṁmoḥāt — from delusion; smṛti — memory; vibhramaḥ — bewilderment; smṛti-bhraṁśāt — after bewilderment of memory; buddhi-nāśaḥ — loss of intellect; buddhi-nāśāt — from loss of intellect; praṇaśyati — one perishes
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Lord Krishna continues his counsel to a despondent Arjuna, illustrating the cascading effect of unchecked anger on the human psyche. The verse begins with ‘krodhād bhavati saṁmohaḥ’, stating that anger is the root cause of delusion. When the mind is inflamed, rationality is obscured, and the individual loses the ability to discern truth from illusion. This initial clouding of judgment is not a mere fleeting feeling; it sets a chain reaction that progressively erodes higher faculties.
The next segment, ‘saṁmoḥātsmṛtivibhramaḥ’, describes the immediate consequence of delusion: the confusion of memory. A mind caught in rage cannot retain clear recollections of dharma, past teachings, or even personal convictions. Memory, which normally upholds ethical conduct, becomes scattered, leading to contradictory thoughts and actions. This bewilderment of memory weakens the foundation upon which wise decision‑making rests.
‘Smṛtibhraṁśād buddhināśo’ makes explicit the logical progression from a disturbed memory to the loss of intellect (buddhi). When one cannot recall or integrate the lessons of the Vedic tradition, the discriminative power that discerns the eternal from the temporary disappears. Without buddhi, the individual cannot distinguish right action from wrong, nor can they recognize the impermanent nature of worldly events.
The final clause, ‘buddhināśātpraṇaśyati’, warns of the ultimate ruin that follows the destruction of intellect. When discernment collapses, a person becomes vulnerable to further negative tendencies, leading to moral, spiritual, and even physical downfall. Krishna’s warning is a powerful reminder that anger, if left unchecked, not only harms relationships but also degrades the very core of one's spiritual identity.
Within the broader narrative of Chapter 2, this verse serves to underscore Krishna’s teaching that self‑control and equanimity are essential for the warrior on the battlefield of life. Arjuna, who is tormented by doubt and sorrow, is being urged to master his emotions, especially anger, to preserve his clarity of purpose. The message is timeless: cultivating inner calmness prevents the cascade from anger to delusion, to memory loss, to intellect’s ruin, and finally to total destruction. By practicing yoga, meditation, and adherence to dharma, one can break this destructive chain and attain a steady mind capable of facing life’s challenges with wisdom and serenity.
