Verse 15
yaṁ hi na vyathayanty ete
puruṣaṁ puruṣarṣabha
sama-duḥkha-sukhaṁ dhīraṁ
so ’mṛtatvāya kalpate
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- yaṁ — whom
- hi — indeed
- na vyathayanti — do not distress / agitate
- ete — these (dualities such as heat-cold, pleasure-pain)
- puruṣam — the person
- puruṣarṣabha — O best among men (Arjuna)
- sama-duḥkha-sukham — balanced in sorrow and happiness
- dhīram — steady / firm / wise
- saḥ — he
- amṛtatvāya — for immortality / liberation
- kalpate — is fit / becomes eligible
O best among men (Arjuna), that person whom these (pleasure and pain, heat and cold) do not disturb, who remains steady and balanced in both sorrow and happiness — such a wise person is fit for immortality (liberation).
Expanded Meaning:
Krishna now identifies the true spiritual warrior — the one who remains unshaken in the face of life’s inevitable fluctuations. Such a person has developed emotional equilibrium, a hallmark of wisdom and spiritual readiness.
Contextual Analysis:
- vyathayanti – Emotional Agitation
- The world tests us constantly through experiences — physical pain, emotional loss, success, or insult.
- Krishna defines strength not by muscle but by inner stillness.
- sama-duḥkha-sukham – Equanimity
- The ideal yogi is not swayed by pleasure or crushed by pain.
- Maintaining balance in opposites is central to dharmic living.
- dhīraḥ – The Steady One
- A dhīra is not someone who suppresses emotions but one who sees beyond them.
- They are centered in the Self, not the senses.
- amṛtatvāya kalpate – Eligibility for Liberation
- Only such a person is truly ready for moksha — the state of freedom beyond death.
- The verse subtly declares: Equanimity is the doorway to immortality.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Stoicism in Vedic Thought
- Like Stoic philosophers of the West, the Gita teaches that true freedom lies in mastery over response, not in controlling the world.
- Immortality (Amṛtatva) as Self-Realization
- Amṛtatva isn’t just physical immortality — it means becoming free from the cycle of birth and death (saṁsāra) by realizing the eternal soul (ātman).
- Emotional Maturity
- Spiritual progress is measured by how one handles difficulty, not how much knowledge one has.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| puruṣarṣabha | Arjuna as the ideal seeker, representing all sincere aspirants |
| duḥkha-sukha | Dualities of worldly experience |
| dhīraḥ | The steady, contemplative soul with inner poise |
| amṛtatva | Liberation from rebirth, realization of one’s eternal nature |
| kalpate | Preparedness or eligibility — a person spiritually ripened |
Modern-Day Relevance:
In a time of instant gratification, emotional fragility, and constant stimulation, this verse is both countercultural and deeply healing:
- When everything is unstable — economy, relationships, health — the only way to remain sane is through equanimity.
- Emotional balance is now being researched by modern psychology as a key to resilience and mental well-being.
- The Gita had it centuries ago — teaching that detachment and inner calm are not suppression but true strength.
Reflection Questions:
What are the “pleasures and pains” that frequently disturb my peace?
Do I react to life emotionally, or respond with awareness?
How can I train myself to remain calm in both success and failure?
What does immortality or liberation mean to me personally?
Am I cultivating the steadiness (dhīratva) that Krishna speaks of?
Conclusion:
This verse is a powerful statement of spiritual heroism. Krishna doesn’t ask Arjuna to become emotionless — He asks him to become emotionally wise.
The ability to withstand life’s storms without losing inner balance is the trait of a true yogi, a true warrior, and ultimately, a liberated soul.
Amṛtatva, the immortality Krishna promises, is not for those who seek comfort, but for those who seek truth with courage.