यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम् ।
नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ५७ ॥
yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehas tat tat prāpya śhubhāśhubham
nābhinandati na dveṣhṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā
जो मनुष्य हर परिस्थिति में चाहे वह अनुकूल हो या प्रतिकूल, उससे अनासक्त रहता है, न पसंद करता है और न ही नापसंद, वह पूर्ण ज्ञान में दृढ़ रहता है।
The one who remains unattached to whatever situations arise, whether favourable or unfavourable, neither harbouring likes nor dislikes is firmly established in perfect wisdom.
Bhagavad Gita verse 2.57 illuminates the state of consciousness of a sthita-prajna—a person of steady wisdom—specifically how they respond externally to life's fluctuating circumstances. In this profound verse, Krishna describes someone who remains unattached regardless of what they encounter, neither elated by good fortune nor dejected by tribulation.
The verse begins with "yah sarvatranabhisnehas," where the word "anabhisneha" carries special significance—literally meaning "without stickiness" or "without affection." The root word "sniha" means "to stick," pointing to how most people become attached or "stuck" to objects, people, and situations they encounter. A person of steady wisdom avoids this entanglement, maintaining inner equilibrium regardless of external circumstances.
Krishna explains that when encountering both favorable (shubha) and unfavorable (ashubha) situations, the wise person neither praises the good nor despises the bad. This doesn't mean they lack discernment, but rather they understand the transient nature of worldly experiences. They recognize that both pleasurable and painful experiences are temporary phases in life's journey.
This equanimity stems from a deeper understanding of one's spiritual identity. The sthita-prajna comprehends that they are essentially spiritual beings temporarily inhabiting material bodies, pursuing spiritual goals. With this perspective, external circumstances—whether favorable or unfavorable—cannot disturb their inner peace because they don't identify with these passing conditions.
The verse also reveals an important psychological insight into human behavior. Typically, when we experience something in life—whether pleasurable or painful—we develop emotions that manifest in our words and actions. The wise person, however, maintains control over these emotional reactions. When someone does them a favor, they remain grateful without becoming excessively attached; when disrespected, they don't retaliate with curses or resentment.
Krishna concludes that for such a person, "tasya prajna pratisthita"—their wisdom remains firmly established. This steadiness of intellect is not affected by the dualities of material existence. It's important to note that this state doesn't imply cold indifference or emotional suppression, but rather a transcendental perspective that sees beyond the temporary nature of worldly experiences.
This verse offers a profound meditation on equanimity—the art of remaining centered amid life's inevitable ups and downs. It teaches that true wisdom manifests not just in philosophical understanding but in how we respond to life's diverse experiences. The sthita-prajna demonstrates this wisdom through their balanced, composed response to both fortune and misfortune, neither excessively celebrating successes nor becoming overwhelmed by failures. This equilibrium represents the practical manifestation of spiritual wisdom in everyday life.
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