यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम्। नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता।।2.57।।
yaḥ sarvatra anabhisnehas tadt prapya shubha ashubham; na abhinandati na dveshti tasya prajna pratishthita
Translation
One who, without attachment, attains both good and evil alike, never rejoicing in auspiciousness nor resentment in adversity, his wisdom is firmly established.
Word Meanings
yaḥ — one who; sarvatra — everywhere; anabhisnehaḥ — without affection; tat — that; tat — that; prāpya — achieving; śubha — good; aśubham — evil; na — never; abhinandati — rejoices; na — never; dveṣṭi — resents; tasya — his; prajñā — perfect knowledge; pratiṣṭhitā — firmly established
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Krishna describes the ideal sage who has achieved a state of equanimity that is independent of external circumstances. The word anabhisneha (without affection or attachment) indicates a profound inner detachment, not a cold indifference, but a freedom from the emotional sway that conditions ordinary beings. Such a person perceives śubha (good) and aśubha (bad) as merely phenomena in the play of existence, recognizing that they are transient and ultimately part of the same material reality.
The phrase na abhinandati na dveṣṭi underscores that the wise does not indulge in either celebration when fortune smiles nor in hostility when misfortune strikes. This dual avoidance of joy and aversion eliminates the two primary sources of psychological bondage: the desire for pleasure and the fear of pain. By transcending both, the sage maintains a steady mind, which is essential for sustained spiritual practice and clear discernment.
Krishna emphasizes that the result of such balanced perception is a prajñā (perfect knowledge) that is pratiṣṭhita (firmly established). Knowledge here is not merely intellectual; it is a lived wisdom that arises from direct experience of the self's true nature, untouched by the ever‑changing external world. When the mind is no longer a battlefield of cravings and aversions, it becomes a reliable instrument for perceiving the underlying reality, often described as the unchanging consciousness or the divine.
The verse also serves as a practical guide. It invites the practitioner to cultivate detachment through disciplined action (karma yoga), meditation (dhyana yoga), and devotion (bhakti yoga). By performing duties without attachment to outcomes, one gradually weakens the habitual patterns that generate emotional turbulence. Over time, the mind naturally settles into the equanimous state described by Krishna, allowing the divine wisdom to take root confidently.
In contemporary life, this teaching is remarkably relevant. Modern individuals are constantly bombarded with stimuli that trigger emotional highs and lows—social media likes, financial fluctuations, health concerns. Applying the principle of non‑attachment does not mean withdrawing from life, but engaging fully while remaining internally untouched by the ups and downs. This inner stability enhances decision‑making, reduces stress, and fosters compassion, as the wise person can see others' fortunes and misfortunes without selfish bias. Ultimately, the verse points to the highest goal of the Gita: a state of liberated consciousness where the soul abides in perpetual peace, regardless of the external world.
