Chapter 2 Verse 38
Sānkhya Yog
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ। ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि।।2.38।।
sukha-duḥkhe same kṛitvā lābhālābhau jayājayau tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṁ pāpam avāpsyasi
Word Meanings
| sukha | happiness |
| duḥkhe | in distress |
| same kṛitvā | treating alike |
| lābha-alābhau | gain and loss |
| jaya-ajayau | victory and defeat |
| tataḥ | thereafter |
| yuddhāya | for fighting |
| yujyasva | engage |
| na | never |
| evam | thus |
| pāpam | sin |
| avāpsyasi | shall incur |
Translation
Having made pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat equal, engage in battle for the sake of battle; thus, you shall not incur sin.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches equanimity. It asks you to treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat as equal. When you stop chasing only pleasant outcomes and avoiding unpleasant ones, your mind stays steady.
With that steady mind, act according to your duty. Do what needs to be done without clinging to results or fearing blame. Acting from duty and balance frees you from the moral burden of attachment.
In short: keep inner balance, perform your role fully, and let the outcome be. That attitude brings peace and spiritual growth.
Life Application
- Before a task, set a clear intention to do your best, then focus on the work rather than the reward.
- When things go well or badly, pause and breathe; remind yourself that results are not fully under your control.
- Make decisions from responsibility, not from desire for praise or fear of failure.
Reflection Question
Where in my life am I most attached to success or afraid of failure?