Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 15

English Translation

O (Arjuna, who are) foremost among men, verily, the person whom these do not torment, the wise man to whom sorrow and happhiness are the same he is fit for Immortality.

Detailed Commentary

।।2.15।। Explanation -- 'Puruṣarṣabha' -- Humans often contemplate changing circumstances that can never be altered. Faced with a situation like war, Arjuna considered his spiritual welfare (kalyāṇa) instead of attempting to change it. This consideration for one's welfare is the excellence of humans. 'Samaduḥkhasukhaṁ Dhīram' -- A steadfast (dhīra) person remains equipoised in joy and sorrow. Joy and sorrow appear distinct due to states of the mind. They are experienced by the conscious Puruṣa, who is situated in Prakṛti. When the Puruṣa abides in its true nature (svarūpa), it does not experience joy or sorrow. Thus, it naturally becomes equipoised in joy and sorrow. 'Yaṁ Hi Na Vyathayantyete Puruṣam' -- Natural phenomena cannot distress a steadfast person. These things cause sorrow through union and separation (saṁyoga and viyoga), but one whose vision is fixed on equanimity is not affected by them. For this reason, such a one is not distressed. 'So'mṛtatvāya Kalpate' -- Such a steadfast person becomes worthy of immortality (amṛtatva). Indeed, that one attains immortality. This human birth (mānava yoni) has not been granted for merely experiencing joy and sorrow, but for attaining great bliss and peace. If we become entangled in favorable conditions and feel happy, we will not be able to utilize them correctly. If we use favorable resources (anukūla sāmagrī) for our own comfort, that is indulgence (bhoga). But if we employ those resources in the service of the needy, that is their proper utilization (sadupayoga). We should serve the deprived with the resources of joy that we receive, because that alone is right. Now, let us consider how to properly utilize adversity (pratikūlatā). The very desire and hope for happiness are the cause of sorrow. Just as bitter medicine brings relief to a patient because it cures the illness, similarly, joyfully enduring sorrow is the proper utilization of adversity. If we remain equipoised in joy and sorrow and rise above them, we can become worthy of liberation (mukti). In the fourteenth verse, the Lord stated that these worldly phenomena are transient (kṣaṇabhaṅgur). Experiencing them leads us towards a birth of mere experience (bhoga-yoni). Thus, if we properly utilize joy and sorrow, we will experience great bliss. Connection -- The discourse on the body and the embodied soul (deha-dehī) that has taken place so far is what the Lord continues to speak of in the upcoming verses.