दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः ।
वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थिधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ॥ ५६ ॥
duḥkheṣhv-anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣhu vigata-spṛihaḥ
vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ sthita-dhīr munir uchyate
जो मनुष्य प्रतिकूल परिस्थितियों में भी शांत रहता है, जो सुख से विचलित नहीं होता और जिसने इच्छा, भय और क्रोध पर विजय प्राप्त कर ली है, वह स्थिर बुद्धि वाला मुनि कहलाता है।
The person whose mind remains unruffled in the face of adversity, who does not get carried away by happiness and who has conquered desire, fear and anger is called a sage of steady intelligence.
In Bhagavad Gita 2.56, Lord Krishna continues answering Arjuna's questions about how a person of steady wisdom (sthita-prajna) speaks and responds to life's circumstances. This verse specifically addresses the internal response of such a sage to the inevitable ups and downs of material existence.
The Sanskrit verse "duḥkheṣv anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣu vigata-spṛhaḥ, vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ sthita-dhīr munir ucyate" describes a person whose mind remains undisturbed even amidst miseries, who doesn't crave happiness when it arrives, and who has transcended attachment, fear, and anger. Such a person is called a sage of steady wisdom. This equanimity represents a profound state of spiritual realization where one's inner peace isn't dependent on external circumstances.
Krishna acknowledges that both happiness (sukha) and distress (dukha) are inevitable parts of material existence. Most people become agitated when facing difficulties and overly attached when experiencing pleasure. They question why suffering has come to them and become despondent, while craving more when something pleasant occurs. The sage of steady wisdom, however, maintains emotional balance regardless of circumstances.
This steadiness stems from freedom from three interconnected emotional states: attachment (raga), fear (bhaya), and anger (krodha). Attachment develops when we find objects or people that give us pleasure, leading to absorption and craving for more. This attachment naturally breeds fear of losing what we desire. And when something threatens to take away our objects of attachment, anger arises. The person of steady wisdom has transcended this cycle entirely.
The verse doesn't suggest that a sthita-prajna becomes emotionless or doesn't experience happiness and distress. Rather, they aren't defined or controlled by these experiences. They continue performing their duties with steadiness regardless of whether circumstances are favorable or unfavorable. This steadiness comes from understanding the temporary nature of all material conditions and maintaining focus on spiritual reality.
We can visualize this state of mind like a boatman navigating an ocean. The waves of happiness and distress will inevitably rise and fall, but the wise navigator doesn't become elated by high waves or dejected by low tides. Instead, they focus on skillfully guiding their vessel, accepting the ocean's nature rather than fighting against it. Similarly, the sage accepts life's dualities while maintaining inner equilibrium.
At its core, this verse teaches that true freedom comes not from controlling external circumstances—which is impossible—but from mastering one's internal responses. By developing detachment from temporary pleasures and pains, freeing ourselves from the grip of attachment, fear, and anger, we can cultivate the steady wisdom that allows us to navigate life's challenges with grace and equanimity.
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