Verse 14
mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās
tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- mātrā-sparśāḥ — contact with the sense objects (through the senses)
- tu — but / indeed
- kaunteya — O son of Kunti (Arjuna)
- śīta-uṣṇa — cold and heat
- sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ — producing pleasure and pain
- āgama-apāyinaḥ — coming and going
- anityāḥ — temporary / impermanent
- tāṁs — those
- titikṣasva — tolerate / endure
- bhārata — O descendant of Bharata (Arjuna)
O son of Kunti, the sensations of cold and heat, pleasure and pain, are caused by contact with sense objects. They come and go and are impermanent. Therefore, endure them bravely, O Bharata.
Expanded Meaning:
Lord Krishna explains that pleasure and pain, and even physical experiences like heat and cold, arise from the interaction of the senses with the external world. These are not permanent, and since they are inevitable, a wise person should learn to endure them patiently rather than being swayed by them.
Contextual Analysis:
- mātrā-sparśās – Sense Contact as the Root
- All feelings of comfort or discomfort come from the body’s interaction with the environment.
- Cold, heat, pleasure, pain — these are not intrinsic to the soul, but are reactions of the body-mind complex.
- Impermanence: āgamāpāyinaḥ
- These sensations come and go — they have no lasting reality.
- Like passing clouds, they appear and disappear.
- Call for Endurance: titikṣasva
- Krishna urges Arjuna to tolerate these fluctuations.
- The use of the word “titikṣa” (forbearance) shows the importance of inner strength and equanimity.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Training in Equanimity
- By enduring dualities like pleasure-pain and heat-cold, one becomes emotionally and spiritually stable.
- Such endurance is the foundation of yoga and spiritual growth.
- Detachment from External Influences
- The verse teaches vairāgya (detachment): do not be overly attached to comfort or averse to discomfort.
- Rise above the pairs of opposites (dvandvas).
- Reality of the Soul
- The soul is not affected by cold or heat, pleasure or pain — these are bodily reactions, not the essence of self.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| mātrā-sparśās | External stimuli, temporary contact with the world through senses |
| śīta-uṣṇa (cold-heat) | Dualities and challenges of life — opposing experiences |
| sukha-duḥkha (joy-sorrow) | Emotional fluctuations tied to the body and ego |
| āgamāpāyinaḥ | The transient, non-eternal nature of worldly experiences |
| titikṣasva | Cultivation of patience, inner strength, and spiritual resilience |
Modern-Day Relevance:
- In today’s fast-paced, comfort-seeking society, even small discomforts feel unbearable.
- This verse is a reminder: Life’s ups and downs are inevitable — but they do not define you.
- Practicing emotional resilience is as necessary as physical fitness.
- Whether it’s harsh weather, emotional hurt, or mental stress — the key is awareness and tolerance, not reaction.
Reflection Questions:
Do I react emotionally to small discomforts or train myself to stay calm?
Can I distinguish between real suffering and temporary sensory disturbance?
How can I cultivate titikṣā (endurance) in daily life — through mindfulness, discipline, or meditation?
What would life feel like if I didn’t crave pleasure or fear pain?
Conclusion:
Krishna, in this powerful verse, urges Arjuna — and all of us — to develop the inner strength to tolerate life’s inevitable discomforts. Recognizing that all sensations are fleeting, we are invited to rise above them through wisdom and courage.
This verse is not about suppressing feelings — it’s about realizing their impermanence and choosing not to be enslaved by them. In this lies the seed of spiritual maturity.