श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 2.56 — दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 2.56 — दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
दुःखेषु
duḥkheṣhu
amidst miseries
अनुद्विग्नमनाः
anudvigna-manāḥ
one whose mind is undisturbed
सुखेषु
sukheṣhu
in pleasure
विगतस्पृहः
vigata-spṛihaḥ
without craving
वीत
vīta
free from
राग
rāga
attachment
भय
bhaya
fear
क्रोधः
krodhaḥ
anger
स्थितधीः
sthita-dhīḥ
one of steady wisdom, enlightened person
मुनिः
muniḥ
a sage
उच्यते
uchyate
is called
Complete Translation
दुख में जिसका मन उद्विग्न नहीं होता सुख में जिसकी स्पृहा निवृत्त हो गयी है? जिसके मन से राग? भय और क्रोध नष्ट हो गये हैं? वह मुनि स्थितप्रज्ञ कहलाता है।।
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 56
Author: Bhagavan Sri Krishna (as recorded by Maharishi Veda Vyasa)
Period: Ancient (part of the Mahabharata, c. 5th–2nd century BCE in present form)
When Arjuna asks Krishna to describe the marks of a person whose wisdom is steady, Krishna responds with a luminous series of verses, of which this is among the most loved. It distils the goal of all yoga — a mind so balanced that neither grief nor pleasure can disturb it. Generations of seekers have memorised these verses as a daily mirror for self-examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sthitaprajna?▼
A sthitaprajna is a person of 'steady wisdom' whose intellect is firmly established in the Self. As this verse describes, such a sage is unshaken by misery, free of craving in pleasure, and liberated from attachment, fear and anger.
Why are attachment, fear and anger mentioned together?▼
Raga (attachment) gives rise to fear of loss and anger when desires are obstructed. Krishna names all three because freedom from attachment naturally dissolves fear and anger, producing lasting peace.
Is this verse useful for managing emotions?▼
Yes. It is one of the Gita’s clearest teachings on emotional equanimity. Regular reflection on it trains the mind to stay calm in adversity and balanced in success, which is the essence of yoga.
Where does this verse appear?▼
It belongs to the closing section of Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga), where Arjuna asks how a person of steady wisdom speaks, sits and moves, and Krishna answers with this famous description.
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