मानापमानयोस्तुल्यस्तुल्यो मित्रारिपक्षयोः ।
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी गुणातीतः स उच्यते ॥
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी गुणातीतः स उच्यते ॥
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 is equal in honor and dishonor, equal toward friend and foe, and has abandoned all undertakings. Such a person is called beyond the three gunas.
What this verse means
A truly steady person stays the same in praise or insult, with friends or enemies, and no longer starts actions from personal craving. That person rises beyond the three gunas.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is being taught how to outgrow the forces that bind ordinary behavior. Krishna describes the person who no longer sways with praise, blame, allies, or enemies, and who has let go of ego-driven action. That is the mark of one beyond the gunas.
Why this verse still matters
A harsh comment lands in a group chat, and your chest tightens. Before you reply, you can notice how quickly praise and insult try to steer you. This verse points to a steadier place.
The takeaway
You can stop living as a puppet of approval, rejection, and impulse.
Word-by-word translation
मानापमानयोः (in honor and dishonor) / तुल्यः (equal) / तुल्यः (equal) / मित्रारिपक्षयोः (toward friend and enemy sides) / सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी (one who has abandoned all beginnings of action) / गुणातीतः (beyond the gunas) / सः (that one) / उच्यते (is called)
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)