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Bhagavad Gita 2.14 — Matra-sparshas Tu Kaunteya

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 2.14 — मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Early morning during meditation, or in moments of difficulty and discomfort·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 14

Also known as: matra sparshas tu kaunteya · bhagavad gita 2.14 · gita chapter 2 verse 14 · titiksha shloka · enduring pleasure and pain gita

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In this verse of the Sankhya Yoga chapter, Sri Krishna teaches Arjuna that sensations of cold and heat, pleasure and pain arise only from the contact of the senses with their objects. Because such experiences have a beginning and an end, they are impermanent and must be endured with patient forbearance (titiksha). It is a foundational teaching on equanimity that prepares the seeker for steadiness of mind.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 14 · Bhagavan Sri Krishna (as recorded by Maharishi Veda Vyasa) · Ancient (part of the Mahabharata, c. 5th–2nd century BCE in present form)

Spoken on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, this is among Krishna's first instructions to the grief-stricken Arjuna in the Sankhya Yoga chapter. Having explained the eternity of the soul, Krishna now turns to the practical discipline of enduring the body's dualities. The teaching of titiksha became a cornerstone of Vedanta's spiritual training, echoed by sages and Acharyas across the ages.

✦ As told in scripture

Saints relate that those who internalise this verse remain unshaken in fortune and misfortune alike; the patient endurance it inspires is said to ripen into the unbroken peace of the sthitaprajna described later in the same chapter.

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The Mantra

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मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः। आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥

mātrā-sparśhās tu kaunteya śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ āgamāpāyino ’nityās tans-titikṣhasva bhārata

Meaning:The contact of the senses with the objects, O son of Kunti, which causes heat and cold, pleasure and pain, has a beginning and an end; they are impermanent; endure them bravely, O Arjuna.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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मात्रास्पर्शाः🔊mātrā-sparśhāḥcontact of the senses with the sense objects

तु🔊tuindeed

कौन्तेय🔊kaunteyaArjuna, the son of Kunti

शीत🔊śhītawinter, cold

उष्ण🔊uṣhṇasummer, heat

सुख🔊sukhahappiness, pleasure

दुःख🔊duḥkhadistress, pain

दाः🔊dāḥgive, bestow

आगम🔊āgamacome, appear

अपायिनः🔊apāyinaḥgo, disappear

अनित्याः🔊anityāḥnon-permanent, transient

तान्🔊tānthem

तितिक्षस्व🔊titikṣhasvatolerate, endure

भारत🔊bhāratadescendant of Bharata (Arjuna)

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 2.14 — Matra-sparshas Tu Kaunteya

✦

Cultivates titiksha (patient endurance) of pleasure and pain alike

✦

Develops equanimity and inner steadiness amid life's dualities

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Reminds the seeker that all sensory experiences are temporary and passing

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Reduces anxiety by loosening identification with fleeting feelings

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Lays the groundwork for becoming sthitaprajna (one of steady wisdom)

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A powerful contemplation during hardship, illness, or discomfort

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 2.14 — Matra-sparshas Tu Kaunteya

Repetitions11times

Best TimeEarly morning during meditation, or in moments of difficulty and discomfort

Sit calmly and recite the verse slowly, reflecting on its meaning. Whenever heat or cold, gain or loss, praise or blame disturbs you, recall 'āgamāpāyino ’nityāḥ' — they come and go, they are impermanent. Breathe steadily and let the sensation pass without resistance, holding the witness-attitude of titiksha.

Frequently Asked Questions

It teaches that cold, heat, pleasure and pain arise only from the contact of the senses with sense objects. Since they have a beginning and an end, they are impermanent and should be endured with calm forbearance rather than allowed to disturb the mind.

Titiksha is patient endurance — the capacity to tolerate the pairs of opposites (sukha-duhkha, sheeta-ushna) without being elated or depressed. Krishna presents it as essential training for steadiness of mind and spiritual progress.

Because they are produced by changing contact between senses and objects, they constantly arise (āgama) and pass away (apāyinaḥ). Recognising their transient nature frees one from being a slave to momentary likes and dislikes.

When facing discomfort, criticism, loss, or any unpleasant experience, remember that it is temporary. Practise observing the feeling as a passing wave, endure it patiently, and keep the mind anchored in the unchanging Self.