Transcendental Knowledge
Verse 2.57
यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम्। नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता।।2.57।।
yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehas tat tat prāpya śhubhāśhubham nābhinandati na dveṣhṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā
Word Meanings
yaḥ—who; sarvatra—in all conditions; anabhisnehaḥ—unattached; tat—that; tat—that; prāpya—attaining; śhubha—good; aśhubham—evil; na—neither; abhinandati—delight in; na—nor; dveṣhṭi—dejected by; tasya—his; prajñā—knowledge; pratiṣhṭhitā—is fixed
Translation · English
He who is everywhere without attachment, upon encountering anything good or bad, neither rejoices nor hastens; his wisdom is firm.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna describes the 'Sthitaprajna'—the person of steady wisdom—who has transcended the dualistic trap of the mind. The term 'anabhisneha' does not merely imply a lack of love, but a freedom from the egoic grasping and possessiveness that taints our perception of the world. By maintaining this inner equilibrium, the seeker ceases to define themselves by the external fluctuations of fortune. When one stops projecting desires onto the world, the world ceases to be a source of constant agitation; the 'good' no longer elicits euphoric attachment, and the 'evil' no longer triggers defensive hostility. This state is not one of cold indifference, but of supreme serenity where the soul rests in its own innate fullness. For Arjuna, who is paralyzed by the emotional weight of his impending duties and the fear of loss, this is the ultimate remedy. Krishna is teaching that true stability is found not by changing external circumstances, but by withdrawing the mind’s tendency to judge and cling. This psychological liberation is the prerequisite for the higher spiritual realization that the Self is untouched by the fleeting shadows of birth, death, victory, or defeat.
True spiritual wisdom is defined by the ability to remain anchored in the eternal Self, undisturbed by the relentless dualities of the world.
Connected Verses
Defines the liberated soul as one who is indifferent to pleasure and pain, regarding a clod of earth, a stone, and gold as equal.
Highlights the devotee who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor desires, as particularly dear to the Divine.
Describes the person who has conquered the senses as remaining perfectly tranquil amidst cold and heat, pleasure and pain.
Explains that sensory contact with dualities is temporary, providing the foundational context for why one should not be affected by them.
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