Chapter 2, Verse 38
Part of 2: Sānkhya Yog — सांख्ययोगसुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ। ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि॥
Transliteration
sukha-duḥkhe same kṛitvā lābhālābhau jayājayau tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṁ pāpam avāpsyasi
Meaning
Having made pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat equal, engage in battle for the sake of battle; thus, you shall not incur sin.
Word-by-word meaning
sukha — happinessduḥkhe — in distresssame kṛitvā — treating alikelābha-alābhau — gain and lossjaya-ajayau — victory and defeattataḥ — thereafteryuddhāya — for fightingyujyasva — engagena — neverevam — thuspāpam — sinavāpsyasi — shall incur
Commentary
This is the Yoga of eanimity or the doctrine of poise in action. If anyone does any action with the above mental attitude or balanced state of mind he will not reap the fruits of his action. Such an action will lead to the purification of his heart and freedom from birth and death. One has to develop such a balanced state of mind through continous struggle and vigilant efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 38?▼
Having made pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat equal, engage in battle for the sake of battle; thus, you shall not incur sin.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 38 of Chapter 2 (Sānkhya Yog — Transcendental Knowledge) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.