Maitri Karuna Mudita Upekshanam (Yoga Sutra 1.33) — Word-by-Word Meaning
मैत्रीकरुणामुदितोपेक्षाणाम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
मैत्री
maitri
Friendliness, loving-kindness, goodwill
करुणा
karuna
Compassion, mercy
मुदिता
mudita
Gladness, sympathetic joy, delight (in others' virtue)
उपेक्षाणाम्
upekshanam
Of equanimity, indifference, non-judgemental neutrality
सुख
sukha
The happy, those who are joyful
दुःख
duhkha
The suffering, those in distress
पुण्य
punya
The virtuous, the meritorious
अपुण्य
apunya
The non-virtuous, the wicked
विषयाणाम्
vishayanam
With regard to these objects/states (as their respective objects)
भावनातः
bhavanatah
By cultivating, by the attitude of, through repeated cultivation
चित्तप्रसादनम्
chitta-prasadanam
Clarity / serenity / purification of the mind (chitta)
प्रसादन
prasadana
Calming, gladdening, making clear and tranquil
Complete Translation
The mind becomes purified and serene by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion toward the suffering, gladness toward the virtuous, and equanimity toward the wicked.
Origin & History
Source: Patanjali Yoga Sutras 1.33
Author: Patanjali
Period: Classical (c. 2nd century BCE – 4th century CE)
This aphorism appears in the Samadhi Pada of Maharshi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, among the methods for steadying and clarifying the mind. Here Patanjali offers a practical psychology of relationship: by meeting the happy, the suffering, the virtuous and the wicked each with the appropriate attitude, the mind is freed of disturbance and made serene. These four attitudes are echoed in the brahmaviharas of the broader Indian spiritual tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Yoga Sutra 1.33?▼
It teaches that the mind becomes clear and serene by cultivating four attitudes: friendliness (maitri) toward the happy, compassion (karuna) toward the suffering, gladness (mudita) toward the virtuous, and equanimity (upeksha) toward the wicked. These attitudes purify the mind (chitta-prasadana).
What are the four attitudes (brahmaviharas)?▼
Maitri (loving-kindness) toward those who are happy, karuna (compassion) toward those who suffer, mudita (sympathetic joy) toward the virtuous, and upeksha (equanimity) toward the non-virtuous. Each is the right response to a particular kind of person, keeping the mind undisturbed.
Why is equanimity prescribed toward the wicked?▼
Reacting to the wicked with anger or hatred only disturbs one's own mind. Patanjali advises upeksha — a calm, non-judgemental neutrality — so the mind stays clear and peaceful instead of being agitated by others' wrongdoing.
How does this sutra help in meditation?▼
A mind clouded by jealousy, cruelty, envy or agitation cannot become still. By cultivating these four attitudes, the mind is purified and made serene (chitta-prasadana), creating the calm, clear inner condition needed for successful meditation.
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