yaṁ hi na vyathayantyete puruṣhaṁ puruṣharṣhabha
sama-duḥkha-sukhaṁ dhīraṁ so ’mṛitatvāya kalpate
yam — whom;
hi — verily;
na — not;
vyathayanti — distressed;
ete — these;
puruṣham — person;
puruṣha-ṛiṣhabha — the noblest amongst men, Arjun;
sama — equipoised;
duḥkha — distress;
sukham — happiness;
dhīram — steady;
saḥ — that person;
amṛitatvāya — for liberation;
kalpate — becomes eligible
This verse is telling us that a truly great person, like Arjuna, is someone who stays calm and balanced, no matter what happens—whether things are going well or if they are tough. This is a key quality for someone seeking a deeper spiritual understanding or freedom from the struggles of life.
To make it clearer, let’s think about our daily lives. We often feel really happy when good things happen: maybe we get a promotion at work, or celebrate a birthday with friends. But, we also experience sadness or challenges—like losing a job, facing illness, or dealing with personal issues.
The verse tells us that a wise person doesn't let extreme happiness or deep sadness disturb their peace of mind. Instead, they remain steady, like a tree that stands strong in both sunshine and storms. This steadiness is important because if we let our feelings completely control us, we can easily become overwhelmed or lost in life’s ups and downs.
The interpretation mentions the traditional life stages where someone might decide to give up worldly ties—like family or material possessions—to focus more on spiritual growth. For instance, taking the path of sannyasa means choosing a life of renunciation. It can be really tough because it might mean leaving behind family and responsibilities. But, the idea is that if you can bear these hardships with a calm heart, you’re on the right track towards finding true spiritual freedom.
We see examples like Lord Caitanya, who made a big sacrifice by taking sannyasa even when it meant leaving behind loved ones. This shows us that prioritizing spiritual goals over temporary comforts is powerful and can lead to a more meaningful life.
For Arjuna, this advice is particularly important as he stands on the battlefield facing his own relatives. He is encouraged to fulfill his duty as a warrior while maintaining his inner strength and composure, showing us that one can be dedicated to their responsibilities while also aiming for higher spiritual growth.
In essence, this verse teaches that real maturity and spiritual growth come from being steady in both good and bad times, ultimately leading to liberation from the cycle of suffering.