Bhagavad Gita 2.15 — The Steady Person Becomes Fit for Immortality
यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ।
समदुःखसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते॥ २.१५॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
O best among men, the steady person whom these sense contacts do not disturb, and who remains equal in pain and pleasure, becomes fit for immortality.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yam | whom |
| hi | indeed |
| na | not |
| vyathayanti | disturb, distress |
| ete | these (sense contacts) |
| puruṣham | person |
| puruṣharṣhabha | O best among men (Arjuna) |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| samaduḥkhasukham | one who is equal in pain and pleasure |
| dhīram | steady, wise |
| saḥ | that person |
| amṛtatvāya | for immortality, for liberation |
| kalpate | becomes fit, becomes eligible |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yam | whom | samaduḥkhasukham | one who is equal in pain and pleasure |
| hi | indeed | dhīram | steady, wise |
| na | not | saḥ | that person |
| vyathayanti | disturb, distress | amṛtatvāya | for immortality, for liberation |
| ete | these (sense contacts) | kalpate | becomes fit, becomes eligible |
| puruṣham | person | ||
| puruṣharṣhabha | O best among men (Arjuna) | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna reveals the reward of practising endurance. The person who is not shaken by the opposites of life, and who remains steady in both pleasure and pain, becomes qualified for liberation. Equanimity, in the Gita's vision, is not merely a pleasant attitude but a doorway to immortality.
Essence
The person who is not disturbed
Lord Krishna says that the person whom these sense contacts do not vyathayanti, do not torment or unsettle, is the one who is fit for the highest goal. The word suggests being shaken, like a tree in a storm. The ideal is not a person who never encounters pain, since that is impossible, but a person who is not overturned by it.
Puruṣarṣabha (the bull among men): Krishna addresses Arjuna with a title of strength. It tells Arjuna that this steadiness is what true heroism looks like. A hero is not only one who defeats enemies outside, but one who stays steady inside.
Sama-duḥkha-sukham (the same in pain and pleasure): Such a person looks upon pleasure and pain with an even mind. This does not mean indifference to the welfare of others or a lack of feeling. It means that the inner centre of the person does not rise and fall with every external event.
Dhīram (the steady, wise one): The word returns from verse 13. The steady person has seen that the changing experiences are not the whole of reality and therefore does not depend on them for security.
Amṛtatva: the fruit of equanimity
The verse says that such a person amṛtatvāya kalpate, becomes eligible for immortality. In the Gita's teaching, immortality is not the continuation of the body forever. It is the realisation of the Self that is beyond birth and death. The mind that is constantly pulled by likes and dislikes cannot recognise that deeper reality, just as agitated water cannot reflect the moon clearly. When the mind becomes steady, the truth can be seen.
Message for Everyday Life (Strength Is Steadiness)
We often admire people who are dramatic, intense, or highly reactive. The Gita offers a different measure of strength.
Build steadiness gradually: Each time you pause before reacting to praise or criticism, you strengthen the habit of equanimity.
Peace is a practice: The ability to remain even-minded in changing conditions is not a gift given only to a few. It grows through repeated, patient effort.
The person who is not disturbed
Lord Krishna says that the person whom these sense contacts do not vyathayanti, do not torment or unsettle, is the one who is fit for the highest goal. The word suggests being shaken, like a tree in a storm. The ideal is not a person who never encounters pain, since that is impossible, but a person who is not overturned by it.
Puruṣarṣabha (the bull among men): Krishna addresses Arjuna with a title of strength. It tells Arjuna that this steadiness is what true heroism looks like. A hero is not only one who defeats enemies outside, but one who stays steady inside.
Sama-duḥkha-sukham (the same in pain and pleasure): Such a person looks upon pleasure and pain with an even mind. This does not mean indifference to the welfare of others or a lack of feeling. It means that the inner centre of the person does not rise and fall with every external event.
Dhīram (the steady, wise one): The word returns from verse 13. The steady person has seen that the changing experiences are not the whole of reality and therefore does not depend on them for security.
Amṛtatva: the fruit of equanimity
The verse says that such a person amṛtatvāya kalpate, becomes eligible for immortality. In the Gita's teaching, immortality is not the continuation of the body forever. It is the realisation of the Self that is beyond birth and death. The mind that is constantly pulled by likes and dislikes cannot recognise that deeper reality, just as agitated water cannot reflect the moon clearly. When the mind becomes steady, the truth can be seen.
Message for Everyday Life (Strength Is Steadiness)
We often admire people who are dramatic, intense, or highly reactive. The Gita offers a different measure of strength.
Build steadiness gradually: Each time you pause before reacting to praise or criticism, you strengthen the habit of equanimity.
Peace is a practice: The ability to remain even-minded in changing conditions is not a gift given only to a few. It grows through repeated, patient effort.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has said that the steady person becomes fit for immortality. But Arjuna may ask what exactly is permanent and what is not. In the next verse the Lord gives one of the Gita's most profound statements about the nature of reality: that the unreal has no being and the real never ceases to be.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The calm mind carries peace into every season.
What does not change in you is what lasts.
Don't be a boat tied to the tide.
Real strength is composure in the storm.
Pain visits all, but only some are shaken by it.
Joy that doesn't enslave is joy that frees.
Peace comes to those who do not chase highs and lows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'samaduḥkhasukha' (equal in pain and pleasure) mean?
What is 'amṛtatva' (immortality) in this verse?
Why is Arjuna called 'puruṣharṣhabha' (best among men)?
What does 'dhīra' (steady, wise) mean in this context?
What does 'kalpate' (becomes fit) suggest about liberation?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: