Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 32

English Translation

O Arjuna, that yogi is considered the best who judges what is happiness and sorrow in all beings by the same standard as he would apply to himself.

Detailed Commentary

This verse explains the behavior of a Yogi who is called 'Brahmabhuta' and who attains supreme joy. Such a Yogi naturally finds delight in the welfare of all beings. 'Atmopamyena sarvatra samam pashyati yo 'Arjuna'—just as an ordinary person wishes to alleviate the pain of their own body, a realized Mahapurusha views the joys and sorrows of all equally. Their natural inclination is to remove the suffering of everyone. 'Sarvatra' means that without distinction of Varna, Ashrama, country, etc., they strive to bring happiness to all equally. They remain engaged in alleviating the suffering of worldly beings. Just as one protects the pure and impure parts of their own body, they care for the joys and sorrows of all beings in the world. 'Sukham va yadi va duhkham'—they do not differentiate in the joys and sorrows of others based on their own experience. Just as they care for the injury to their own hand, a realized Mahapurusha also cares for others. They never feel pride that they have alleviated the suffering of others. A realized soul may endure their own bodily pain, but they cannot bear the pain of others, because there is an inherent oneness in all. Just as Mahatma Dadhichi, without any opposition, gave his bones to help Indra. This is not in the sense of neglecting one's own suffering, but rather being dedicated to the welfare of others. This disparity becomes the progenitor of equality. 'Sa yogi paramo matah'—in their vision, they see nothing but the Paramatma. They remain permanently connected to the Paramatma. According to Bhagavan, such a Yogi is the greatest. Special point: Here, for the Dhyana-Yogi, it is said 'Atmopamyena sarvatra samam pashyati'. A Karma-Yogi and a Jnana-Yogi should see themselves in everyone, and a Bhakti-Yogi should see Ishvara in everyone. Considering everyone as one's brother is Bhratribhava (fraternal feeling). But this feeling does not remain during disputes between brothers. In 'Atmopamyena sarvatra', there is no feeling of enmity, just as teeth may bite the tongue but there is no animosity. Higher than this feeling is Bhagavadbhava, which is the essence of Bhagavadbhakti. Connection: The equipoise attained through Sankhya Yoga and Karma Yoga is also attained through Dhyana Yoga. Now Arjuna expresses his understanding.