समदुःखसुखः स्वस्थः समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः ।
तुल्यप्रियाप्रियो धीरस्तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः ॥
तुल्यप्रियाप्रियो धीरस्तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो धीर मनुष्य सुखदुःखमें सम तथा अपने स्वरूपमें स्थित रहता है जो मिट्टीके ढेले, पत्थर और सोनेमें सम रहता है जो प्रियअप्रियमें तथा अपनी निन्दास्तुतिमें सम रहता है जो मानअपमानमें तथा मित्रशत्रुके पक्षमें सम रहता है जो सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंके आरम्भका त्यागी है, वह मनुष्य गुणातीत कहा जाता है ॥
English
The steady one remains equal in pleasure and pain, in a clod of earth, a stone, and gold; equal toward the liked and the disliked, toward praise and blame.
What this verse means
A truly steady person does not get shaken by pleasure, pain, praise, blame, wealth, or ordinary objects. They stay centered in themselves.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna continues teaching Arjuna about the person who has risen above the three gunas. After describing one who is not disturbed by them, he now shows what that looks like in daily life: equal mind in pain and pleasure, praise and blame, gold and dirt.
Why this verse still matters
You open your phone and see praise from one person, criticism from another, and your mood swings before breakfast. This verse reminds you that stability is not controlled by other people's reactions.
The takeaway
You do not have to be pulled around by every reaction. Steadiness is possible.
Word-by-word translation
समदुःखसुखः (equal in sorrow and joy) / स्वस्थः (established in the true self) / समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः (equal toward clod, stone, and gold) / तुल्यप्रियाप्रियः (equal toward the liked and the disliked) / धीरः (the steadfast one) / तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः (equal toward blame and self-praise)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Modes of Material Nature, which contains 27 verses.
Explore related themes: gunas (47 verses), equanimity (23 verses), samatva (13 verses)