sukhaduḥkhe same kṛtvā lābhalābhou jayājayo
“Having made pleasure and pain, profit and loss, victory and defeat equal.”
Structure
sukha-duḥkhe same kṛtvā lābha-alābhou jayā-jayo
tvaṁ (you) sukha-duḥkhe (pleasure and pain) samē (equally) kṛtvā (having treated) lābha-alābhou (gain and loss) jayā-jayo (victory and defeat)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sukha | sukha | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | pleasure |
| duḥkhe | duḥkhe | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in pain |
| same | same | indeclinable | — | equally |
| kṛtvā | kṛtvā | indeclinable | — | having made |
| lābha | lābha | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | gain |
| alābhou | alābhou | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | loss |
| jaya | jaya | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | victory |
| ājayo | ājayo | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | defeat |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Bhagavad Gītā underscores the importance of cultivating an attitude of equanimity towards the dualities of life, such as pleasure and pain, profit and loss, victory and defeat. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all dualities and is the essence of the Self (ātman). In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara emphasizes that the realization of this verse leads to the understanding that the Self is unaffected by the vicissitudes of life, much like the Bhagavad Gītā's teaching in Chapter 2, Verse 14, where it is stated that the wise do not sorrow. By recognizing the impermanence and fleeting nature of worldly experiences, one can transcend the limitations of the ego and realize the unity of Brahman and ātman. This non-dual reading of the verse invites the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral nature of worldly dualities and seek the eternal and unchanging reality within.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, interprets this verse as a call to the devotee to cultivate a spirit of detachment and equanimity in the face of life's challenges. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of surrendering to the will of God (prapatti) and accepting all experiences, whether pleasant or unpleasant, as a manifestation of God's grace. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, stresses the role of self-effort and devotion in achieving spiritual liberation. According to Madhva, the verse suggests that the devotee should strive to maintain a balanced state of mind, unaffected by the extremes of joy and sorrow, and instead focus on the worship and service of the Lord. This devotional reading of the verse underscores the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara), and highlights the need for surrender, devotion, and selfless service.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a powerful message for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of cultivating inner balance and equanimity in the face of life's challenges. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Ideal of Karma-Yoga', highlights the need for the individual to rise above the petty dualities of life and work selflessly for the greater good. According to Vivekānanda, this verse suggests that the individual should strive to maintain a state of inner calm and composure, unaffected by external events, and instead focus on serving others and realizing the universal divine. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Bhagavad Gītā', interprets the verse as a call to spiritual freedom, where the individual transcends the limitations of the ego and realizes the unity of all existence. This modern reading of the verse emphasizes the universal and practical application of the Bhagavad Gītā's teachings, inviting the reader to apply the principles of equanimity, selflessness, and devotion in their daily lives.