Bhagavad Gita 2.48 — Equanimity in Success and Failure Is Called Yoga
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥ २.४८॥
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Established in yoga, O Dhananjaya, perform your actions, abandoning attachment and remaining equal in success and failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yogasthaḥ | established in yoga, steadfast in union with the Supreme |
| kuru | perform |
| karmāṇi | actions, duties |
| saṅgam | attachment |
| tyaktvā | having abandoned |
| dhanañjaya | O Dhananjaya, conqueror of wealth (Arjuna) |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| siddhyasiddhyoḥ | in success and failure |
| samaḥ | equal, balanced |
| bhūtvā | having become |
| samatvam | equanimity, evenness of mind |
| yogaḥ | yoga |
| uchyate | is called |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yogasthaḥ | established in yoga, steadfast in union with the Supreme | siddhyasiddhyoḥ | in success and failure |
| kuru | perform | samaḥ | equal, balanced |
| karmāṇi | actions, duties | bhūtvā | having become |
| saṅgam | attachment | samatvam | equanimity, evenness of mind |
| tyaktvā | having abandoned | yogaḥ | yoga |
| dhanañjaya | O Dhananjaya, conqueror of wealth (Arjuna) | uchyate | is called |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna answers the question of how to live out the teaching of the previous verse. He tells Arjuna to perform his actions while established in yoga, giving up attachment and remaining equal in success and failure. He then gives a definition of yoga that has become famous: equanimity is yoga.
Essence
Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi: act while established in yoga
Lord Krishna says yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi, 'Established in yoga, perform actions.' The order matters. First, a person stands in a certain inner condition, and from that condition actions are performed. Action does not come from restlessness or craving but from a stable centre.
Saṅgam tyaktvā (having given up attachment): Attachment is the clinging that says 'I must have this result, I must keep this thing, I must be recognised for this.' Krishna asks Arjuna to give it up, not by abandoning the action, but by loosening the hold of the mind on its outcome.
Siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā (becoming equal in success and failure): The word siddhi means accomplishment, and asiddhi means non-accomplishment. The yogi is the same in both. This does not mean being indifferent to quality or careless in effort. It means that the inner peace is not held hostage by results.
Samatvam yoga ucyate: equanimity is yoga
The verse ends with a definition: samatvam yoga ucyate, 'Evenness of mind is called yoga.' The Gita uses the word yoga in many senses, as union, discipline, and skill. Here it identifies the heart of the discipline: a balanced mind. This is a practical and accessible meaning. Yoga is not limited to postures or special practices. It is an inner stability that can be brought to every action and relationship.
Notice the connection with verse 38, where Krishna first introduced treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike. Here He has developed the theme into a full definition of the path.
Message for Everyday Life (Yoga in the Workplace and Home)
Yoga in this sense is available at every moment, in meetings, in family disagreements, and in traffic.
Pause before reacting: When you notice agitation over success or failure, take a breath and restore your balance before acting.
Treat every action as practice: Each task, however ordinary, is an opportunity to practise evenness of mind.
Hold success and failure lightly: Learn from both, and do not let either define you.
Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi: act while established in yoga
Lord Krishna says yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi, 'Established in yoga, perform actions.' The order matters. First, a person stands in a certain inner condition, and from that condition actions are performed. Action does not come from restlessness or craving but from a stable centre.
Saṅgam tyaktvā (having given up attachment): Attachment is the clinging that says 'I must have this result, I must keep this thing, I must be recognised for this.' Krishna asks Arjuna to give it up, not by abandoning the action, but by loosening the hold of the mind on its outcome.
Siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā (becoming equal in success and failure): The word siddhi means accomplishment, and asiddhi means non-accomplishment. The yogi is the same in both. This does not mean being indifferent to quality or careless in effort. It means that the inner peace is not held hostage by results.
Samatvam yoga ucyate: equanimity is yoga
The verse ends with a definition: samatvam yoga ucyate, 'Evenness of mind is called yoga.' The Gita uses the word yoga in many senses, as union, discipline, and skill. Here it identifies the heart of the discipline: a balanced mind. This is a practical and accessible meaning. Yoga is not limited to postures or special practices. It is an inner stability that can be brought to every action and relationship.
Notice the connection with verse 38, where Krishna first introduced treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike. Here He has developed the theme into a full definition of the path.
Message for Everyday Life (Yoga in the Workplace and Home)
Yoga in this sense is available at every moment, in meetings, in family disagreements, and in traffic.
Pause before reacting: When you notice agitation over success or failure, take a breath and restore your balance before acting.
Treat every action as practice: Each task, however ordinary, is an opportunity to practise evenness of mind.
Hold success and failure lightly: Learn from both, and do not let either define you.
Next Topic
Krishna has defined yoga as equanimity and asked Arjuna to act from that state. He now explains why this approach is superior to action motivated by results. In the next verse He tells Arjuna that action driven by desire for fruit is far inferior to the yoga of wisdom, and urges him to take refuge in this balanced understanding.
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 ride the wave of results; stay on the shore of the Self.
Wins pass; calm stays.
Falls can't hurt a settled mind.
Yoga is calm in the midst of action.
Hold the work firmly and the outcome lightly.
Give the task your whole attention, not your whole identity.
True success is peace in both success and failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'yogastha' (established in yoga) mean?
What is 'saṅga' (attachment) here?
What is 'siddhi' (success) and 'asiddhi' (failure)?
What is 'samatva' (equanimity)?
Why is Arjuna addressed as 'Dhanañjaya' (conqueror of wealth)?
Explore related topics
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