5.23 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 5, Verse 23

In Bhagavad Gita verse 5.23, Lord Krishna addresses a fundamental challenge on the spiritual path: the ability to withstand the powerful forces of desire and anger. This verse carries profound significance for anyone seeking true happiness and spiritual advancement.The verse states that one who can tolerate the urges born of desire and anger before giving up the body (death) is considered a true yogi and attains happiness. Krishna uses the Sanskrit word "śaknoti" (is able) to emphasize that with determined effort, it is indeed possible to resist these compelling impulses. The verse acknowledges that as long as we inhabit a physical body, the struggle with desire and anger is inevitable, yet it can be managed through persistent practice.Krishna specifically points to "kāma" (desire) and "krodha" (anger) as the primary forces to be controlled. Desire refers to the intense longing for objects or experiences that provide pleasure, while anger manifests as repulsion toward things we find adverse or unpleasant. These emotions create powerful urges (vega) that can overwhelm our better judgment if we lack the inner strength to withstand them.The challenge Krishna presents is considerable. He doesn't merely suggest managing these impulses for a short time but emphasizes the need to maintain this vigilance throughout one's lifetime ("prāk śarīra-vimokṣaṇāt" - before departing from the body). This indicates that spiritual practice is not a temporary endeavor but requires lifelong commitment. The struggle against desire and anger doesn't necessarily diminish with time; rather, our capacity to handle these forces grows stronger through consistent practice.What makes this verse particularly meaningful is the promise it contains. Krishna assures us that the person who masters this art of tolerance becomes "yuktaḥ" (a yogi, one who is connected to the divine) and "sukhī" (happy). This suggests that true happiness doesn't come from fulfilling every desire but from developing the inner strength to observe these impulses without being controlled by them. When we can stand firm against the waves of desire and anger, we experience a deeper, more sustainable joy that comes from within rather than from external circumstances.The verse teaches us that these emotional impulses are like waves - they rise with intensity but eventually subside if we don't act on them. Just as a skilled sailor learns to navigate stormy seas, we too can learn to navigate the turbulent waters of our emotions without being capsized by them. Each time we successfully resist acting on these impulses, we strengthen our spiritual muscles and move closer to the state of equanimity that characterizes a true yogi.Krishna's teaching here reflects profound psychological insight. Rather than suggesting we suppress or deny our feelings, he encourages us to develop the capacity to experience these emotions without automatically reacting to them. This practice of mindful tolerance gradually frees us from the tyranny of impulsive reactions, allowing us to respond to life's challenges with wisdom and composure. In this state of self-mastery, we discover that happiness is not dependent on external conditions but flows naturally from our inner equilibrium, making us truly "sukhī naraḥ" - a person established in authentic happiness.