Chapter 2 Verse 14
Sānkhya Yog
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः। आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत।।2.14।।
mātrā-sparśhās tu kaunteya śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ āgamāpāyino ’nityās tans-titikṣhasva bhārata
Word Meanings
| mātrā-sparśhāḥ | contact of the senses with the sense objects |
| tu | indeed |
| kaunteya | Arjun, the son of Kunti |
| śhīta | winter |
| uṣhṇa | summer |
| sukha | happiness |
| duḥkha | distress |
| dāḥ | give |
| āgama | come |
| apāyinaḥ | go |
| anityāḥ | non-permanent |
| tān | them |
| titikṣhasva | tolerate |
| bhārata | descendant of the Bharat |
Translation
The contact of the senses with the objects, O son of Kunti, which causes heat and cold, pleasure and pain, has a beginning and an end; they are impermanent; endure them bravely, O Arjuna.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Sense contact brings pleasant and unpleasant feelings — like heat and cold, joy and pain. These feelings start and stop; they do not stay forever.
Because they are temporary, we should not build our life or decisions on every passing sensation. The verse asks us to bear these changes with steady calm instead of reacting in fear or greed.
Enduring here is not numbness. It is the inner strength to notice feelings, let them pass, and keep acting with clarity and duty.
Life Application
- Pause and notice your feelings for a moment before reacting — breathe and let the sensation change.
- Remind yourself, silently, "This will pass," when joy or pain pulls you off balance.
- Keep doing what matters (work, care, study) even when moods fluctuate; focus on the next right action.
Reflection Question
Can you watch a strong feeling arise and pass without letting it control your choice?