Chapter 2, Verse 48
Sankhya Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
yoga-sthaḥ—being steadfast in yog; kuru—perform; karmāṇi—duties; saṅgam—attachment; tyaktvā—having abandoned; dhanañjaya—Arjun; siddhi-asiddhyoḥ—in success and failure; samaḥ—equipoised; bhūtvā—becoming; samatvam—equanimity; yogaḥ—Yog; uchyate—is called
English translation
Perform action, O Arjuna, being steadfast in Yoga, abandoning attachment and balanced in success and failure; evenness of mind is called Yoga.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 2.48
Commentary
Dwelling in union with the Divine perform actions merely for Gods sake with a balanced mind in success and failure. Eilibrium is Yoga. The attainment of the knowledge of the Self through purity of heart obtained by doing actions without expectation of fruits is success (Siddhi). Failure is the nonattainment of knowledge by doing actions with expectation of fruit. (Cf. III.9IV.14IV.20).
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
Simple Meaning
Perform your duty steadfast in Yoga, O Arjuna, abandoning attachment and remaining equal in success and failure. Equanimity of mind is called Yoga.
Context & Background
Krishna provides the precise definition of Yoga as mental balance and equanimity.
Key Philosophical Teaching
Real Yoga is not merely physical postures; it is maintaining emotional balance and poise through life's victories and setbacks.
Practical Application
Train yourself to remain calm when praised or criticized, when succeeding or encountering obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Bhagavad Gita define Yoga in 2.48?
BG 2.48 defines Yoga as "Samatvam" — equanimity and poise of mind in both success and failure.
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