Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 26

English Translation

[Ast. introduces this verse with 'Idanim kartrbhedah ucyate, Now is being stated the distinctions among the agents.'-Tr.] The agent who is free from attachment [Attachment to results or the idea of agentship.], not egotistic, endowed with fortitude and diligence, and unperturbed by success and failure is said to be possessed of sattva.

Detailed Commentary

।।18.26।। Explanation – **मुक्तसंगः (Freed from Attachment):** Just as a Sāṅkhya yogī has no attachment to actions, so too is the sāttvic doer unattached. Attachment to objects, individuals, substances, situations, or events arises from connecting oneself with desires (kāmanā), latent impressions (vāsanā), clinging (āsakti), yearning (spṛhā), and possessiveness (mamata). The sāttvic doer is entirely free from this entanglement. **अनहंवादी (Devoid of Egocentric Speech/Claim):** The feeling of specialness experienced within oneself regarding objects, substances, or situations is egocentric speech (ahaṃvadanśīlatā). Being an Asuri sampatti (demonic trait), it is extremely base. The sāttvic doer is devoid of this egocentric speech and arrogance. Rather, they are free even from the ego-sense (ahaṃbhāva) that states, "I am a renunciate of these things," "I do not have this arrogance," "I am unperturbed," "I am equipoised," "I am entirely desireless," or "I am free from connection to the world." **धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः (Endowed with Fortitude and Enthusiasm):** When obstacles arise while performing a duty, or the outcome of an action is not as expected, or one faces criticism, yet the same patience (dhairya) that exists when no obstacles arise remains steadfast even when they do – this is known as Dhṛti (fortitude). When successes are attained, progress is made, and respect, honor, and glory increase, the enthusiasm that is felt towards success should remain even amidst failure, decline, or criticism – this is known as Utsāha (enthusiasm). The sāttvic doer is endowed with such Dhṛti and Utsāha. **सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकारः (Unperturbed by Success or Failure):** To remain unperturbed within oneself, unaffected by success (siddhi) or failure (asiddhi). Whether an action is completed correctly or remains unfinished despite full effort, whether fruit is received or not, to experience neither joy nor dejection, neither delight nor sorrow within one's inner being is to remain Nirvikāra (unperturbed) in success and failure. **कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते (Such a doer is called Sāttvic):** Such a doer, who is free from attachment and ego, endowed with fortitude and enthusiasm, and unperturbed by success or failure, is called sāttvic. This verse describes six aspects: attachment (saṅga), egocentric speech (ahaṃvadanśīlatā), fortitude (dhṛti), enthusiasm (utsāha), success (siddhi), and failure (asiddhi). Of these, one is advised to be free from the first two, endowed with the middle two, and unperturbed by the last two. **Connection:** Now, the characteristics of the rājasic doer will be described.