Bhagavad Gita 2.38 — Treat Pleasure and Pain, Gain and Loss, Victory and Defeat Alike
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ।
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि॥ २.३८॥
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Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike, then engage in battle. Thus you will not incur sin.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sukhaduḥkhe | pleasure and pain |
| same | alike, equal |
| kṛitvā | having made, treating |
| lābhālābhau | gain and loss |
| jayājayau | victory and defeat |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tataḥ | then |
| yuddhāya | for the battle |
| yujyasva | engage, prepare yourself |
| na | not |
| evam | thus, in this way |
| pāpam | sin |
| avāpsyasi | you will incur |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sukhaduḥkhe | pleasure and pain | tataḥ | then |
| same | alike, equal | yuddhāya | for the battle |
| kṛitvā | having made, treating | yujyasva | engage, prepare yourself |
| lābhālābhau | gain and loss | na | not |
| jayājayau | victory and defeat | evam | thus, in this way |
| pāpam | sin | ||
| avāpsyasi | you will incur | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
This verse is a quiet but significant turning point. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to engage in battle after making pleasure and pain, gain and loss, and victory and defeat the same. In this way, He says, Arjuna will not incur sin. Here we find the first clear seed of Karma Yoga, the discipline of acting with an even mind.
Essence
Three pairs of opposites
Lord Krishna names three pairs: sukha-duḥkhe (pleasure and pain), lābhālābhau (gain and loss), and jayājayau (victory and defeat). These cover the emotional, material, and competitive dimensions of life. Nearly all human agitation can be traced to the pull of one side of these pairs and the fear of the other.
Same kṛtvā (having made equal): Krishna does not say that these pairs are the same in themselves. Pleasure and pain feel different, and gain and loss have different consequences. What He asks is that Arjuna's inner response be balanced, so that his decision is not driven by the wish for one side or the fear of the other.
Yujyasva: engage, be yoked
The word tato yuddhāya yujyasva means 'then engage in battle.' The verb yuj is the root of the word yoga. Krishna is hinting that the fight itself, when taken up with equanimity, becomes a form of yoga. Action is not an obstacle to spiritual life but the field in which it is practised.
Naivam pāpam avāpsyasi (thus you will not incur sin): The reason is that sin and bondage arise not simply from the outer deed but from the inner motive. An action performed with hatred, greed, or craving for results binds the doer. The same action performed as duty, with a balanced mind, does not bind in the same way. The Gita will explore this principle in great depth in the chapters that follow.
The shift from outcome to attitude
In verse 37 Krishna spoke about results, heaven or the earth. In verse 38 He shifts the emphasis to the inner state of the actor. This movement, from 'what will I get?' to 'how will I act?', is the central movement of the Gita.
Message for Everyday Life (Acting Without Being Tossed by Outcomes)
Many of us do our work while constantly checking whether we are winning or losing, being praised or criticised, gaining or falling behind. This makes our actions anxious and unstable.
Practise even-mindedness during effort: Try giving full attention to the task while holding the outcome lightly.
Notice your reactions: Observing the swings between elation and disappointment is the first step in reducing their power over you.
Three pairs of opposites
Lord Krishna names three pairs: sukha-duḥkhe (pleasure and pain), lābhālābhau (gain and loss), and jayājayau (victory and defeat). These cover the emotional, material, and competitive dimensions of life. Nearly all human agitation can be traced to the pull of one side of these pairs and the fear of the other.
Same kṛtvā (having made equal): Krishna does not say that these pairs are the same in themselves. Pleasure and pain feel different, and gain and loss have different consequences. What He asks is that Arjuna's inner response be balanced, so that his decision is not driven by the wish for one side or the fear of the other.
Yujyasva: engage, be yoked
The word tato yuddhāya yujyasva means 'then engage in battle.' The verb yuj is the root of the word yoga. Krishna is hinting that the fight itself, when taken up with equanimity, becomes a form of yoga. Action is not an obstacle to spiritual life but the field in which it is practised.
Naivam pāpam avāpsyasi (thus you will not incur sin): The reason is that sin and bondage arise not simply from the outer deed but from the inner motive. An action performed with hatred, greed, or craving for results binds the doer. The same action performed as duty, with a balanced mind, does not bind in the same way. The Gita will explore this principle in great depth in the chapters that follow.
The shift from outcome to attitude
In verse 37 Krishna spoke about results, heaven or the earth. In verse 38 He shifts the emphasis to the inner state of the actor. This movement, from 'what will I get?' to 'how will I act?', is the central movement of the Gita.
Message for Everyday Life (Acting Without Being Tossed by Outcomes)
Many of us do our work while constantly checking whether we are winning or losing, being praised or criticised, gaining or falling behind. This makes our actions anxious and unstable.
Practise even-mindedness during effort: Try giving full attention to the task while holding the outcome lightly.
Notice your reactions: Observing the swings between elation and disappointment is the first step in reducing their power over you.
Next Topic
Krishna has introduced the idea of acting with equanimity, free from the pull of opposites. He now explains that what He has taught so far belongs to one stream of wisdom, and that He is about to reveal another. In the next verse He distinguishes the knowledge given in Sāṅkhya from the understanding of Yoga, which frees one from the bondage of action.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Don't let the scoreboard decide your peace.
Win and lose with the same calm.
Act fully, feel evenly.
Pressure fades when outcomes lose their grip.
A mind free of cravings acts best.
Do what's right and release the rest.
Equanimity is the quiet strength behind great work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do 'sukhaduḥkhe' (pleasure and pain), 'lābhālābhau' (gain and loss) and 'jayājayau' (victory and defeat) represent?
What does 'same kṛitvā' (treating alike) mean?
How does this prevent 'pāpa' (sin)?
Why is this verse important in the Gita?
How is this different from the previous verse?
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