Chapter 2 Verse 57
Sānkhya Yog
यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम्। नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता।।2.57।।
yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehas tat tat prāpya śhubhāśhubham nābhinandati na dveṣhṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā
Word Meanings
| yaḥ | who |
| sarvatra | in all conditions |
| anabhisnehaḥ | unattached |
| tat | that |
| tat | that |
| prāpya | attaining |
| śhubha | good |
| aśhubham | evil |
| na | neither |
| abhinandati | delight in |
| na | nor |
| dveṣhṭi | dejected by |
| tasya | his |
| prajñā | knowledge |
| pratiṣhṭhitā | is fixed |
Translation
He who is everywhere without attachment, upon encountering anything good or bad, neither rejoices nor hastens; his wisdom is firm.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse describes a person whose heart is free from attachment in every situation. Such a person does not cling to people, things, success, or failure.
When they meet what seems good or bad, they do not get overly joyful or deeply upset. Their calm mind stays steady because they see events as passing and not the source of lasting happiness or sorrow.
This steady understanding — that everything changes and that you can still act with care without being swayed — is called firm wisdom. It lets you live with peace and make clear choices in daily life.
Life Application
- Pause and take a few breaths before reacting to praise or criticism; this reduces impulsive joy or hurt.
- Do your duties well without attaching your sense of worth to outcomes; focus on effort, not only results.
- Practice small daily habits (short meditation, mindful walking, or journaling) to grow inner balance and reduce emotional up-and-downs.
Reflection Question
When did I last let success or failure change how I treated myself or others?