Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 24

English Translation

He to whom sorrow and happiness are alike, who is established in his own Self, to whom a lump of earth, iron and gold are the same, to whom the agreeable and the disagreeable are the same, who is wise, to whom censure and his own praise are the same;

Detailed Commentary

।।14.24।। Explanation -- Dhīraḥ, Samaduḥkhasukhaḥ: One who, knowing the essence of the eternal and non-eternal, the essential and non-essential, remains established in their true Self, is called a steady (Dhīra) person. Joys and sorrows that arise according to circumstances are in accordance with Prārabdha. A condition favorable to the body and senses is called Sukha, and an unfavorable condition is called Duḥkha. The Guṇātīta person remains equanimous in both. This means that external joys and sorrows cannot cause any disturbance to their inner peace. Svasthaḥ: In one's true state, there is no such thing as joy or sorrow. The Guṇātīta person does not experience the transient joys and sorrows but remains steadfast in their permanent Self. Samaloṣṭāśmakāñcanaḥ: For them, earth, stone, or gold are alike. Practically, they keep these in their respective places, but they harbor no attachment (rāga) or aversion (dveṣa) towards them. Tulyapriyāpriyaḥ: They remain equanimous even in the outcomes of actions. Tulyanindātmasanstutiḥ: In censure and praise, they are free from mental elation or dejection. The Guṇātīta person harbors no attachment (rāga) or aversion (dveṣa) towards those who censure or praise them. Mānāpamānayostulyaḥ: They are equanimous in honor and dishonor because they have no identification (tādātmya) with the body. External actions like censure and praise do not affect their steadfastness because they are Guṇātīta. Tulyo mitrāripakṣayoḥ: They maintain equanimity even towards friends and foes. In conduct, they display justice and generosity towards all. Sarvārambhaparityāgī: They do not initiate new actions and remain content with current situations. Guṇātītaḥ sa ucyate: A Guṇātīta person does not have external signs, but it is by their internal qualities that they are called Guṇātīta. The characteristics described in the dialogue between Arjuna and Bhagavan manifest from Self-knowledge and the destruction of ego (ahaṅkāra) and possessiveness (mamata). Maintaining equanimity in eight specific situations is their special quality. The state of a Guṇātīta person is unaffected by favorable or unfavorable circumstances, and their peace remains unbroken. [In verses twenty-four and twenty-five, Bhagavan describes the equanimity of the Guṇātīta person.] Connection: In response to Arjuna's third question, Bhagavan describes the means in the subsequent verse.