duḥkheṣhv-anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣhu vigata-spṛihaḥ
vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ sthita-dhīr munir uchyate
duḥkheṣhu — amidst miseries;
anudvigna-manāḥ — one whose mind is undisturbed;
sukheṣhu — in pleasure;
vigata-spṛihaḥ — without craving;
vīta — free from;
rāga — attachment;
bhaya — fear;
krodhaḥ — anger;
sthita-dhīḥ — enlightened person;
muniḥ — a sage;
uchyate — is called
In this verse, Krishna is explaining what it means to be a wise and steady person, often called a "sage" or "muni." This person is not easily shaken by difficult situations, like problems or suffering. It's important to understand what this means in everyday life.
Firstly, let’s talk about the "threefold miseries". These can be thought of as troubles that come from three different sources: from our own bodies, from other people, and from nature. For example, when you're feeling sick (body), when someone is being rude to you (people), or when there's a storm outside (nature). A wise person doesn’t let these troubles disturb their peace of mind; they remain calm and composed.
Secondly, when things are good—like when you get a promotion or have a fun day with friends—a sage doesn’t get too excited or carried away by joy. They understand that happiness is temporary, just like sadness. So, they don't crave happiness or feel overwhelmed by it; they keep a balanced mind.
The verse also says this wise person is free from "attachment, fear, and anger." Let’s break these down:
- **Attachment**: This means wanting things too much. For example, if you get really upset when a friend doesn't invite you to a party, that shows attachment. A sage simply enjoys the friendship without being overly attached to it.
- **Fear**: This can be fear of failing, loss, or what others think. A steady person takes challenges in stride, believing that they will do their best, and whatever happens, happens. They are not frozen by fear.
- **Anger**: This comes when things don’t go our way, like being angry at someone who cut you off in traffic. A wise person understands that anger doesn’t solve problems, so they approach situations calmly, focusing on solutions instead.
The key point is that this person sees both happiness and sadness as part of life and doesn’t get too affected by either. They believe that everything comes from a higher power (in this case, Krishna) and see their life as a chance to serve this higher purpose.
When they face challenges, they feel grateful because they think they could have more suffering due to their past actions but are somehow being kept safe and guided instead. Likewise, when they experience happiness, they think of it as a blessing they don’t really deserve, and they want to use that happiness to serve and do good for others.
In practical terms, this means that a person with steady mind takes life as it comes. They work hard, stay positive, and do not let the ups and downs dictate their mood or happiness. They are like a sturdy tree that bends in the wind but does not break. So, if you encounter trouble, you can practice being like this tree. When you're happy, enjoy it, but don’t forget that it is temporary, and when you're unhappy, don't let it disturb your peace; it will pass too.
By cultivating such a mindset, you become brave and active in life, without being bogged down by worries and desires that can lead to frustration and anger. This way of living helps you stay calm and navigate through life's challenges better.