योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय। सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।।2.48।।
Be steadfast in performing your duties, O Arjuna, having abandoned attachment; being equal in success and failure, equanimity is called yoga.
Translation
Be steady in the execution of your duties, O Arjuna, letting go of attachment. When one remains the same in gain and loss, that equanimity is called yoga.
Word Meanings
yoga‑sthaḥ — equipoised; kuru — perform; karmāṇi — duties; saṅgaṃ — attachment; tyaktvā — having given up; dhanañjaya — O Arjuna; siddhi‑asiddhyoḥ — success and failure; samaḥ — equanimous; bhūtvā — becoming; samatvaṃ — equanimity; yogaḥ — yoga; ucyate — is called
Understanding the Verse
In this concise yet profound verse, Lord Krishna directs Arjuna to cultivate a state of inner steadiness while carrying out his responsibilities on the battlefield. The term yoga‑sthaḥ (योगस्थः) literally means "one who is established in yoga," indicating a person who has anchored his consciousness in the principles of yoga, particularly the discipline of equanimity. By urging Arjuna to kuru karmāṇi (कुरु कर्माणि), Krishna emphasizes action without attachment, aligning with the broader Gita theme that duty must be performed irrespective of personal desire or fear.
The phrase saṅgaṃ tyaktvā (सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा) advises the abandonment of saṅga, the emotional tie or clinging to the outcomes of one's actions. This is not a denial of caring, but a refinement of the mind so that it does not become turbulent when results are favorable or adverse. Such detachment is the cornerstone of karma‑yoga, the path of selfless action, which transforms ordinary work into a spiritual practice.
Krishna then introduces the concept of siddhi‑asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā (सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा), meaning "being the same in success and failure." By maintaining an even mind in both achievement (siddhi) and non‑achievement (asiddhi), the practitioner transcends the duality that generally governs human experience. This balanced outlook eliminates the oscillation between euphoria and despair, leading to a stable inner landscape.
The result of this balanced disposition is described as samatvaṃ yoga ucyate (समत्वं योग उच्यते) – "equanimity is called yoga." Here, yoga is defined not merely as physical postures or meditation, but as the deepest psychological equilibrium. It reflects a universal principle: true yoga is the mastery over one’s own mind, allowing it to remain unshaken amid life’s vicissitudes. When this mental poise is achieved, one acts in harmony with dharma, free from ego‑driven motives.
For the modern seeker, this verse offers a practical roadmap. Whether in a corporate office, a classroom, or a battlefield of personal challenges, the instruction remains the same: perform your duties with dedication, release the grip on outcomes, and cultivate a mind that treats success and failure as equal partners. By doing so, one not only aligns with the ethical framework of the Gita but also experiences the inner peace that is the hallmark of true yoga.
