Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.38 सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ
श्लोक 2.38
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ ।
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥
sukhaduḥkhe same kṛtvā lābhālābhau jayājayau |
tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṃ pāpamavāpsyasi ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
सुख-दुःख, लाभ-हानि और जीत-हार को एक समान मानकर युद्ध के लिए तैयार हो जाओ। ऐसा करने से तुम्हें पाप नहीं लगेगा।
Meaning in English
Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat as the same, get ready for battle. In this way you will not incur sin.
Bhagavad Gita 2.38 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सुखदुःखे | sukha-duḥkhe | pleasure and pain |
| समे कृत्वा | same kṛtvā | treating as equal |
| लाभालाभौ | lābha-alābhau | gain and loss |
| जयाजयौ | jaya-ajayau | victory and defeat |
| ततः | tataḥ | then |
| युद्धाय | yuddhāya | for battle |
| युज्यस्व | yujyasva | engage yourself |
| न एवम् | na evam | thus not |
| पापम् | pāpam | sin |
| अवाप्स्यसि | avāpsyasi | you will incur |
Explanation
Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat as the same, and then engage in the battle; acting in this way, you will incur no sin.
This is the first clear statement of samatva — evenness of mind — which the Gita soon calls yoga itself (2.48). Sin comes from acting out of selfish desire or hatred; duty done with an even mind does not bind. For most of us the "battle" is simply our daily duty.
भावार्थ
सुख-दुःख, लाभ-हानि और जय-पराजय को समान मानकर युद्ध के लिए तैयार हो जाओ; ऐसा करने से तुम्हें पाप नहीं लगेगा।
Living it today
Before an important task, decide to give your best whether it brings praise or blame — and then begin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.38?
Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat as the same, and then engage in the battle; acting in this way, you will incur no sin.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.38?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.38 in daily life?
Before an important task, decide to give your best whether it brings praise or blame — and then begin.
Reflected on verse 2.38?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.