Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 22

English Translation

Obtaining which one does not think of any other acisition to be superior to that, and being established in which one is not perturbed even by great sorrow;

Detailed Commentary

।।6.22।। Explanation— 'यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः' — When a person attains a joy and considers no other gain greater than that, he is not perturbed by it. For example, if someone is receiving one hundred rupees for an hour, and another place offers a thousand rupees, he will move towards the thousand rupees instead of the one hundred. When *Tamasic* joy, even while present, is overshadowed by the greater attraction of sensual joy (*viṣaya-janya sukha*), one forsakes the *Tamasic* joy and moves towards the sensual joy. When one moves away from sensual joy towards *Sattvic* joy, and then from *Sattvic* joy to *Ātyantika Sukha* (ultimate bliss), upon attaining *Ātyantika Sukha*, one is not perturbed by anything, because there is no other joy greater than *Ātyantika Sukha*. The *Dhyānayogi* (meditating Yogi) also, established in this joy, remains unperturbed. 'यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते' — The second reason for being perturbed is that even if the gain is great, but accompanied by significant sorrow, a person becomes perturbed. For instance, if one is receiving a thousand rupees but there is a threat to life, one gives it up. But the Lord says that a Yogi established in *Ātyantika Sukha* cannot be perturbed even by the greatest sorrow. No matter how dreadful the circumstances, he remains unperturbed. Why does he remain unperturbed? The reason is that sorrows arise in the body, senses, mind, and intellect, whereas *Ātyantika Sukha* belongs to the Ātman (Self). When the *Puruṣa* (individual consciousness) identifies with the body, he experiences joy and sorrow. But when he experiences the joy of the Ātman, then *Prakṛtic* (natural, material) sorrows cannot touch him. Therefore, even if any calamity befalls the body, he remains unperturbed. Connection— Upon the attainment of this joy, inspiration is given in the subsequent verse, stating that even great sorrows cannot perturb one.