दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः। वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते।।2.56।।
duḥkheṣvanudvigna‑manāḥ sukheṣu vigata‑spṛhaḥ vītārāga‑bhaya‑krodhaḥ sthita‑dhīḥ muniḥ ucyate
Translation
One whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery, who does not crave pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
Word Meanings
duḥkheṣu — in the threefold miseries; anudvigna-manāḥ — without being agitated in mind; sukheṣu — in happiness; vigata-spṛhaḥ — without being interested; vīta — free from; rāga — attachment; bhaya — fear; krodhaḥ — and anger; sthita-dhīḥ — whose mind is steady; muniḥ — a sage; ucyate — is called.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Lord Krishna describes the inner qualifications of a true sage (muni). The first quality mentioned is "duḥkheṣu anudvigna‑manāḥ" – a mind that does not become agitated in the face of suffering. Human beings naturally react to pain with anxiety, anger or despair, but the enlightened one perceives pain as a transient phenomenon, remaining equanimous and unshaken. This calmness is not a denial of feeling; rather, it is a mastery over the mental turbulence that usually follows adversity.
The second attribute, "sukheṣu vigata‑spṛhaḥ", signifies that the sage is without craving for pleasure. While ordinary minds are drawn to comfort and pleasure, the wise understand that such desires are fleeting and often lead to attachment. By remaining unattached to happiness, the sage avoids the emotional ups and downs that accompany the pursuit of worldly enjoyments.
The third characteristic combines three negative mental states into a single phrase: "vīta‑rāga‑bhaya‑krodhaḥ" – free from attachment (rāga), fear (bhaya), and anger (krodha). Each of these emotions binds the individual to the cycle of samsara. Attachment creates dependence on external objects, fear generates anxiety about loss, and anger fuels aggression and unrest. The sage, having transcended these, experiences a spacious inner landscape where actions arise from clarity rather than reaction.
The verse culminates with the description "sthita‑dhīḥ muniḥ ucyate" – the one whose intellect (dhī) is steady (sthita) is called a sage. Steadiness of intellect implies a mind that remains constant, focused, and undisturbed by the ever‑changing circumstances of life. This steadiness is the foundation for right perception, decision‑making, and ultimately, for performing one's dharma without selfish motivation.
From a practical standpoint, the verse offers a roadmap for personal transformation. By cultivating equanimity in hardship, relinquishing the chase for sensory pleasure, and systematically dissolving attachment, fear, and anger, a seeker can develop a stable mind. Practices such as meditation, self‑inquiry, and the study of scripture are traditional tools to achieve this inner equilibrium. The ultimate goal is not to become indifferent but to act from a place of inner freedom, where actions are aligned with higher wisdom rather than the temporary pulls of the ego.
Thus, Chapter 2, Verse 56 encapsulates the essence of yoga: the harmonization of mind and intellect, leading to the emergence of a sage whose presence radiates peace, compassion, and unwavering clarity.
