Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya YogaChapter 2, Shloka 54 (2.54)

The disciple's changed tone. In the first chapter Arjuna was arguing. In 2.4–2.8, confusion and surrender. Now — a clear, practical question. This shows that Krishna's words are reaching Arjuna.

Four questions:

1. Kā bhāṣā — what are his marks/what is his description?
2. Kiṃ prabhāṣeta — how does he speak?
3. Kim āsīta — how does he sit/live?
4. Vrajeta kim — how does he walk (conduct himself)?

Ramanuja says: by describing the conduct, the nature is also understood.

"Sthita-prajña" — steady wisdom. Shankaracharya: sthitā pratiṣṭhitā "aham asmi paraṃ brahma" iti prajñā yasya — one whose wisdom is established in "I am the supreme Brahman". Madhusudana makes a very important point: yāny eva hi jīvanmuktānāṃ lakṣaṇāni tāny eva mumukṣūṇāṃ mokṣopāya-bhūtāni — the very marks of those liberated while living are, for seekers of liberation (those who desire moksha), the means to moksha. Shankaracharya too calls the description from "prajahāti" (2.55) to the end of the chapter sthita-prajña-lakṣaṇaṃ sādhanaṃ ca — both the marks and the means: sarvatraiva hi adhyātma-śāstre kṛtārtha-lakṣaṇāni yāni tāny eva sādhanāni upadiśyante yatna-sādhyatvāt — everywhere in spiritual scripture, the marks of the one who has attained are themselves taught as the means (because they can be achieved through effort).