असक्ितरनभिष्वङ्गः पुत्रदारगृहादिषु।नित्यं च समचित्तत्वमिष्टानिष्टोपपत्तिषु।।13.10।।
asakitaranabhiṣvaṅgaḥ putrādāragṛhād iṣu. nityaṁ ca samacittatvam iṣṭāniṣṭopapattiṣu
Translation
Non‑attachment toward children, wives, houses and the like; and a constant even‑mindedness regarding the occurrence of both desirable and undesirable things.
Word Meanings
असक्‑इतर‑नभिष्व‑ङ्गः — non‑attachment towards children, wives, houses, etc.; पुत्र‑ — son, child; दार‑ — wife; गृह‑ — house; आदि‑ — and so on; नित्यं — always, constantly; च — and; समचित्तत्वम् — even‑mindedness; इष्टा‑निष्‑ — desirable and undesirable; उपपत्तिः — occurrences, events.
Understanding the Verse
Verse 13.10 of the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes two profound qualities of a person who has realized the true nature of the self. The first quality is *asakti* – non‑attachment – specifically towards the external relationships and possessions that commonly bind ordinary individuals. The verse lists examples: children (putra), wives (dara), houses (griha) and similar objects (adi). By mentioning these concrete ties, the scripture points out that even the most intimate and socially significant connections can become obstacles to spiritual progress if clung to with desire and avarice. The teaching is not a call to abandon family life, but rather to perform one's duties without selfish longing, seeing these relationships as temporary manifestations within the material world. Such detachment allows the practitioner to remain rooted in dharma while maintaining inner peace.
The second quality highlighted is *samacitattva* – an even‑mindedness or equanimity toward the outcomes of actions. The verse uses the compound *iṣṭa‑niṣṭa‑upapatti* to denote both the pleasant (iṣṭa) and the unpleasant (niṣṭa) results that arise from worldly activities. A truly wise person maintains a steady mind whether success or failure, pleasure or pain, appears. This steadiness is a direct result of understanding the transient nature of material experiences and the underlying consciousness that remains untouched by them. Such a balanced mindset prevents the mind from being swayed by egoistic cravings or aversions, thereby preserving mental clarity and fostering discernment.
In the broader context of Chapter 13, which deals with the field (ksetra) and the knower of the field (ksetrajna), this verse identifies the inner qualities that distinguish the knower. By cultivating non‑attachment and equanimity, the seeker gradually dissolves the identification with the body‑mind complex and awakens to the purusha – the unchanging witness. This transformation is essential for attaining *kaivalya* (liberation) because it eliminates the mental impurities that cause suffering and bind the soul to the cycle of birth and death.
Practically, these teachings invite us to adopt a bhakti‑yoga approach where one serves family and society with love, yet without clinging to outcomes. By seeing children, spouses, and homes as *lila* (divine play) rather than possessions, we can love fully while staying unattached. Likewise, by training the mind through meditation and self‑inquiry, we develop the capacity to observe pleasant and unpleasant experiences as passing phenomena, thereby cultivating *samatva* (equality of mind). This inner equilibrium is the hallmark of a mature spiritual aspirant and the foundation for deeper realizations described later in the Gita.
In summary, Verse 13.10 teaches that the true yogi is characterized by (1) a heartfelt non‑attachment to personal relationships and material comforts, and (2) a steadfast equanimity toward all results of actions. These twin virtues purify the intellect, steadies the heart, and ultimately lead to the realization of the Self beyond the transient field of existence.
