Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 37 (BG 18.37) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

That happiness which appears like poison in the beginning but becomes nectar in the end—this is declared to be sattvic happiness, born from the clarity of the intellect united with the Self. Here it is worthy of note that sattvic happiness is never truly like poison. However, because the natural tendency of human beings is outward-turned, they find difficulty in practicing the means of sattvic happiness such as knowledge, dispassion, and meditation. Therefore, to such a weak person, this sattvic happiness appears painful like poison at first, but this is not the reality. For example, children find the study of lessons painful because they are attached to play. In the end, it becomes like nectar. That is, when maturity comes through the practice of knowledge, dispassion, and other disciplines, and one experiences true peace of mind, then it becomes joyful like nectar. This happiness is called sattvic. Born from the grace of the intellect united with the Self: Most people understand grace (prasad) merely as the food distributed after the completion of ritual worship. But here the meaning of grace is broad and profound. The intellect that becomes absorbed in the nature of the Self through self-inquiry is called the intellect united with the Self. The grace of that intellect means serenity and purity. When the intellect becomes calm, pure, and steady, the happiness that is experienced is sattvic happiness born from the grace of the intellect united with the Self. Such supreme happiness is attained only by the well-educated, the well-cultured, and the sattvic person.