Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.38
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ । ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥३८॥
sukhaduḥkhe same kṛtvā lābhālābhau jayājayau | tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṃ pāpamavāpsyasi ||38||
Complete Shloka Translation
Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike; then engage in battle. In this way you will not incur wrongdoing.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| लाभालाभौ | lābhālābhau | gain and loss |
| जयाजयौ | jayājayau | victory and defeat |
| सुखदुःखे | sukhaduḥkhe | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| समे | same | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| कृत्वा | kṛtvā | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| ततो | tato | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| युद्धाय | yuddhāya | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| युज्यस्व | yujyasva | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| नैवं | naivaṃ | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| पापमवाप्स्यसि | pāpamavāpsyasi | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
| ३८ | pāpamavāpsyasi | [term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ... |
gain and loss
victory and defeat
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
[term] in context of Treat pleasure and pain, gain ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Equanimity concerns freedom from attachment to personal outcomes. The promise is tied to this dharma-based action, not permission to perform any act without concern.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Balanced intention matters alongside the outward act."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Can you distinguish balanced intention from indifference to consequences?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.