ihaiva tair jitaḥ sargo yeṣhāṁ sāmye sthitaṁ manaḥ
nirdoṣhaṁ hi samaṁ brahma tasmād brahmaṇi te sthitāḥ
iha eva — in this very life;
taiḥ — by them;
jitaḥ — conquer;
sargaḥ — the creation;
yeṣhām — whose;
sāmye — in equanimity;
sthitam — situated;
manaḥ — mind;
nirdoṣham — flawless;
hi — certainly;
samam — in equality;
brahma — God;
tasmāt — therefore;
brahmaṇi — in the Absolute Truth;
te — they;
sthitāḥ — are seated
This verse talks about the idea of being calm and equal in all situations. When it says 'those whose minds are established in sameness and equanimity,' it refers to people who can stay balanced and not get too excited or upset, no matter what happens around them. This state of calm is very important—it shows that these individuals are self-aware and have a deep understanding of life.
Now, let’s break it down further. In our lives, we face many ups and downs. Sometimes we feel happy, sometimes sad. However, the verse teaches that if someone can keep their mind steady and not get thrown off by these changes, they have effectively mastered the experiences of life. It suggests that such people have moved past the typical struggles of existence, including the cycle of birth and death, which means they aren’t preoccupied with the fears or desires that come with living in the material world.
While we are alive, we often identify ourselves with our physical body and the things we own. This attachment keeps us trapped in a cycle of wanting more and fearing loss, which is termed being a 'conditioned soul.' But when someone reaches the state of equanimity—being unaffected by likes and dislikes—they break free from these limitations. They are not worried about the next birth or afterlife because they are secure in their understanding of who they are at a deeper level.
The verse also mentions Brahman, which can be understood as a reference to the ultimate reality or the perfect state of existence. The phrase 'they are flawless like Brahman' conveys a powerful message. It indicates that as one becomes free from desires and aversions—like wanting certain things or disliking others—they achieve a kind of perfection similar to that of this ultimate state.
To summarize, when someone learns to detach themselves from the ups and downs of life, they find a peace that is unshakeable. This peace allows them to rise above the normal worries of existence and connect with a higher reality. The verse assures us that gaining this mindset not only leads to liberation in this life but paves the way for a more fulfilling existence beyond it.