yogasthaḥ kuru kārmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya . siddhyasiddhyoḥ same manaḥ kṛtvā tenā yogaṁ upāguhi .
“Established in yoga, O Arjuna, perform actions, having abandoned attachment; having made the mind equal in success and failure, come to that yoga.”
Structure
yogasthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhanañjaya siddhyasiddhyoh same manah krtva tena yogam upaguhi
yogasthah (being in yoga) kuru (do) karmani (actions) sangam (attachment) tyaktva (having abandoned) dhanañjaya (Arjuna)siddhyasiddhyoh (in success and failure) same (equally) manah (mind) krtva (having made) tena (by that state of mind) yogam (yoga) upaguhi (approach)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yogasthah | yogasthāḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "yoge sthitah" | being in union |
| kuru | kuru | verb | √kṛ · laṣ-aorist · second | do |
| karmani | kārmāṇi | noun | accusative · plural · neuter | actions |
| sangam | saṅgaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | attachment |
| tyaktva | tyaktvā | indeclinable | — | having abandoned |
| dhanañjaya | dhanañjaya | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Arjuna |
| siddhyasiddhyoh | siddhyasiddhyoḥ | compound | dvandva · "siddhi ca asiddhi ca" | success and failure |
| same | same | indeclinable | — | equally |
| manah | manaḥ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | mind |
| krtva | kṛtvā | indeclinable | — | having made |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with that |
| yogam | yogaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | yoga |
| upaguhi | upāguhi | verb | √āgā · present-imperative · second | approach |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as an invitation to transcend the duality of success and failure by establishing oneself in yoga. He writes that the performance of actions without attachment is a means to realize the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (brahman). Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning hinges on the concept of 'siddhyasiddhyoḥ same manaḥ', emphasizing that one's mental state must remain equipoised in the face of success or failure. By doing so, the yogī is able to access the higher state of consciousness, thereby realizing the non-dual nature of reality. This verse points to the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedānta, which is to know that 'tat tvam asi' (you are that), implying the identity of the individual self with the cosmic consciousness. In essence, Śaṅkarācārya's commentary highlights the importance of detachment and equanimity as a means to realize the brahman-ātman identity, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his Sri Bhasya, interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of self-surrender and devotion to the Lord. According to Rāmānujācārya, the phrase 'yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi' signifies the performance of actions as a means to attain yoga, which is the state of devotion and self-surrender. The abandonment of attachment (saṅgaṁ tyaktvā) is seen as a crucial step in cultivating devotion, as it allows the jīva to focus on the Lord and seek refuge in Him. Rāmānujācārya's commentary also highlights the concept of 'siddhyasiddhyoḥ same manaḥ', emphasizing that the devotee must remain detached from the fruits of action, whether it be success or failure, and instead, focus on the Lord's will. In this context, the verse is seen as a call to devote oneself to the Lord, cultivation a profound sense of dependence on Him, and thereby attaining liberation. This reading underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the devotee seeks to realize their inherent dependence on the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, sees this verse as a blueprint for living a balanced and meaningful life. According to Vivekānanda, the phrase 'yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi' signifies the importance of being grounded in a higher state of consciousness, from which one can perform actions with detachment and equanimity. He emphasizes that one must learn to 'make the mind equal in success and failure', as this allows the individual to transcend the limitations of the ego and access a higher sense of purpose. Vivekānanda's commentary also highlights the universal nature of this verse, emphasizing that its message is not limited to any particular tradition or culture. In his view, the verse offers a practical guide for living, one that can be applied in everyday life to cultivate a sense of inner peace, balance, and harmony. By following this teaching, individuals can learn to navigate life's challenges with greater ease, and in doing so, realize their full potential as human beings. This reading underscores the Neo-Vedānta emphasis on the practical and universal application of spiritual teachings, as a means to enhance human flourishing and promote global understanding.