Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5 · Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 5.20 न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य
श्लोक 5.20
न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् ।
स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणि स्थितः ॥
na prahṛṣyetpriyaṃ prāpya nodvijetprāpya cāpriyam |
sthirabuddhirasammūḍho brahmavid brahmaṇi sthitaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो प्रिय वस्तु पाकर हर्षित नहीं होता और अप्रिय को पाकर दुःखी नहीं होता, ऐसा स्थिर बुद्धि वाला, मोहरहित ब्रह्मज्ञानी ब्रह्म में स्थित रहता है।
Meaning in English
One should not rejoice on getting what is pleasant, nor be troubled on meeting what is unpleasant. Steady in understanding and free from delusion, the knower of Brahman abides in Brahman.
Bhagavad Gita 5.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न प्रहृष्येत् | na prahṛṣyet | should not rejoice excessively |
| प्रियम् | priyam | the pleasant |
| प्राप्य | prāpya | on obtaining |
| न उद्विजेत् | na udvijet | should not be agitated |
| प्राप्य च | prāpya ca | and on obtaining |
| अप्रियम् | apriyam | the unpleasant |
| स्थिरबुद्धिः | sthira-buddhiḥ | of steady intellect |
| असम्मूढः | asammūḍhaḥ | undeluded |
| ब्रह्मवित् | brahma-vit | knower of Brahman |
| ब्रह्मणि | brahmaṇi | in Brahman |
| स्थितः | sthitaḥ | established |
Explanation
One should not be elated on getting what is pleasant, nor shaken on meeting what is unpleasant. Steady in understanding and free from delusion, the knower of Brahman is established in Brahman. Ups and downs come, but they do not overturn him.
The verse echoes the description of the sthita-prajña, the person of steady wisdom, in chapter 2. Shankara links the steadiness to the knowledge that the Self is unaffected by pleasant and unpleasant experiences of the body. Ramanuja reads it as practical instruction for the seeker: by not overreacting, one stays fixed on the self. Both traditions treat evenness of mind as both the fruit of realisation and the practice that leads to it.
भावार्थ
प्रिय वस्तु पाकर जो हर्षित न हो और अप्रिय पाकर उद्विग्न न हो, ऐसा स्थिर बुद्धि वाला, मोहरहित ब्रह्मज्ञानी ब्रह्म में स्थित है। सुख-दुःख आते-जाते हैं, पर उसकी स्थिरता नहीं डिगती।
Living it today
When good or bad news arrives, take one slow breath before reacting; that pause is the beginning of steadiness.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 5.20?
One should not be elated on getting what is pleasant, nor shaken on meeting what is unpleasant. Steady in understanding and free from delusion, the knower of Brahman is established in Brahman. Ups and downs come, but they do not overturn him.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 5 (Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 5.20 in daily life?
When good or bad news arrives, take one slow breath before reacting; that pause is the beginning of steadiness.
Reflected on verse 5.20?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.