In Bhagavad Gita 2.56, Krishna describes the sage of steady mind as one undisturbed in sorrow, free from craving in pleasure, and free from attachment, fear and anger.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः
सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः
वीतरागभयक्रोधः
स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ॥ २-५६ ॥
duḥkheṣvanudvignamanāḥ
sukheṣu vigataspṛhaḥ
vītarāgabhayakrodhaḥ
sthitadhīrmunirucyate
English transliteration duhkheshvanudvignamanaah
sukheshu vigatasprihah
veetaraagabhayakrodhah
sthitadheermuniruchyate ॥ 2.56 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One whose mind is not shaken in sorrow, who has no craving for pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger is called a sage of steady mind.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| दुःखेषु duḥkheṣu | in sorrows |
| अनुद्विग्नमनाः anudvignamanāḥ | with an unshaken mind anudvigna (unshaken) + manāḥ (mind) |
| सुखेषु sukheṣu | in pleasures |
| विगतस्पृहः vigataspṛhaḥ | free from craving vigata (gone) + spṛhaḥ (craving) |
| वीतरागभयक्रोधः vītarāgabhayakrodhaḥ | free from attachment, fear and anger vīta (free) + rāga (attachment) + bhaya (fear) + krodhaḥ (anger) |
| स्थितधीः sthitadhīḥ | of steady mind |
| मुनिः muniḥ | sage |
| उच्यते ucyate | is called |
Word-wise Chanting
- duḥ–kheṣ–va–nud–vig–na–ma–nāḥ 8 syllables duh-khesh-va-nud-vig-na-ma-naah
- su–khe–ṣu vi–ga–tas–pṛ–haḥ | 8 syllables su-khe-shu vi-ga-tas-pri-hah
- vī–ta–rā–ga–bha–yak–ro–dhaḥ 8 syllables vee-ta-raa-ga-bha-yak-ro-dhah
- sthi–ta–dhīr–mu–ni–ruc–ya–te || 2-56 8 syllables sthi-ta-dheer-mu-ni-ruch-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 56
Context
Krishna continues describing the sthitaprajña (2.55–2.72).
Meaning
The sage is steady in both sorrow and pleasure. In pain, the mind is not shaken; in pleasure, it does not crave more. Three great disturbances have departed: rāga, attachment; bhaya, fear; and krodha, anger. These three are closely linked: we fear losing what we are attached to, and become angry when it is threatened.
This verse is a practical mirror. Whenever we notice attachment, fear or anger, we can see where we are not yet steady. The aim is not to become cold, but to become free. A heart free of these three is open, warm and fearless, able to love without clinging.
In Practice
When you feel fear or anger today, ask: “What am I attached to here?” Simply seeing the attachment often loosens its hold.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.