Bhagavad Gita 2.56

Sanskrit

दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः । वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ॥2.56॥

Transliteration

duḥkheṣvanudvignamanāḥ sukheṣu vigataspṛhaḥ | vītarāgabhayakrodhaḥ sthitadhīrmunirucyate ‖2.56‖

Meaning

“One whose mind is unshaken in the midst of sorrows, free from craving amid pleasures, from whom passion, fear, and anger have departed, that one is called a sage of steady wisdom.”

Key learning

A wise person's mind doesn't crumble when sorrows hit and doesn't grasp greedily when pleasures come. Three big troublemakers have left them: craving that pulls you toward things, fear that pushes you away, and anger that explodes against things. Notice the realism: pain and pleasure still come, but the calm holds steady right in the middle of them. Losing those three hijackers is the real sign of wisdom.

How to apply this today

Track those three feelings like weather for a week. Each time craving, fear, or anger flares up, jot down what triggered it; most people find one is their main weak spot. Then build a specific brake for it: for anger, a ten-second exhale before you respond; for fear, naming the feared outcome in one plain sentence; for craving, a forced delay before buying. And test pleasure too: can you enjoy the praise or the dessert without instantly wanting more?

Theme: The Yoga of Knowledge

This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga , read all verses in this chapter.

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