Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 24

Chapter 14 – Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

समदुःखसुखः स्वस्थः समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः ।
तुल्यप्रियाप्रियो धीरस्तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः ॥

Transliteration

samaduḥkhasukhaḥ svasthaḥ samaloṣṭāśmakāñcanaḥ .
tulyapriyāpriyo dhīrastulyanindātmasaṃstutiḥ ॥

Meaning

He who is the same in pain and pleasure, established in the Self, to whom a clod of earth, a stone and gold are alike, who is equal towards the pleasant and the unpleasant, steadfast, and the same in blame and praise of himself;

Word meanings

समदुःखसुखः – the same in pain and pleasure
स्वस्थः – established in the Self
समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः – to whom a clod, a stone and gold are alike
तुल्यप्रियाप्रियः – equal towards the pleasant and the unpleasant
धीरः – steadfast, wise
तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः – the same in blame and praise of himself

Anvaya (word order)

(यः) समदुःखसुखः स्वस्थः समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः तुल्यप्रियाप्रियः धीरः तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः (भवति) ।

Explanation

Continuing the description of the conduct of one beyond the gunas, Krishna now shows the many dimensions of his equanimity. The verse is like a portrait showing his evenness in every area of life: feelings, possessions, relationships and reputation.

'The same in pain and pleasure, being svastha, established in the Self.' Both cause and effect are given together: equanimity is possible because he rests in his own centre. One who leans on external things sways with them; one who rests in the Self stays unshaken. In ordinary usage svastha also means 'healthy'; true health is to be established in the Self.

'To whom a clod, a stone and gold are alike.' This does not mean he cannot tell gold from earth, but that his mind holds no greed for gold and no contempt for earth. His peace does not depend on the value of any object.

'Equal towards the pleasant and the unpleasant': agreeable and disagreeable people and events affect him equally, that is, they stir neither attraction nor aversion. He is dhira, steadfast and wise; his understanding stays firm even under the pressure of circumstances.

'The same in blame and praise of himself.' This is the hardest equanimity of all, because the ego is most easily wounded or flattered by honour and dishonour. The one beyond the gunas knows that both blame and praise concern the body and the name, not the Self.

These marks closely resemble those of the devotee in Chapter 12 (12.18–19). This again shows that knowledge, devotion and transcendence of the gunas all culminate in the same thing: complete equanimity.

Context

The previous verse described the witnessing stance of the one beyond the gunas; this verse describes his evenness towards pleasure and pain, objects, people and reputation. The next verse completes the description with equality in honour and dishonour, towards friend and foe, and the renunciation of all self-centred undertakings.

Life lesson

One whose peace depends on wealth, others' opinions or circumstances will always be shaken. Learn to rest in your inner centre; then neither praise nor blame can move you from your path.

Key terms

Svastha: Established in one's own Self
Dhira: Steadfast and wise, firm under pressure
Tulya-nindatma-samstuti: One to whom blame and praise of oneself are the same