na prahṛiṣhyet priyaṁ prāpya nodvijet prāpya chāpriyam
sthira-buddhir asammūḍho brahma-vid brahmaṇi sthitaḥ
na — neither;
prahṛiṣhyet — rejoice;
priyam — the pleasant;
prāpya — obtaining;
na — nor;
udvijet — become disturbed;
prāpya — attaining;
cha — also;
apriyam — the unpleasant;
sthira-buddhiḥ — steady intellect;
asammūḍhaḥ — firmly situated;
brahma-vit — having a firm understanding of divine knowledge;
brahmaṇi — established in God;
sthitaḥ — situated
This verse talks about someone who is wise and emotionally steady. Let's break it down.
1. **Not Getting Too Happy or Too Sad**: The person described doesn’t get overly excited when something good happens, nor do they get overly upset when something bad happens. For example, if they win a small prize, they appreciate it without jumping with joy. If they lose something they liked, they feel okay and don’t fall into sadness. This balance in feelings shows that they are not attached to temporary things.
2. **Understanding the True Self**: They are self-aware and know that their true identity is not just their physical body—like how people often identify themselves with their jobs, looks, or possessions. Instead, they understand that they are a small part of something much bigger, like being a tiny droplet of water in the vast ocean. This understanding helps them not to define themselves based on success or failure in the material world.
3. **Mental Steadiness**: The term "sthira-buddhi" refers to having a stable mind. This person is emotionally strong and doesn’t get confused about what really matters. They know that life is filled with ups and downs—joys and sorrows—but they don’t let those feelings shake their inner peace. For instance, they can handle a stressful situation without losing their cool, knowing it’s just temporary.
4. **Knowledge of the Divine**: They have a good grasp of spiritual knowledge or the science of God. This means they understand deeper truths about life, existence, and their relationship with the Divine. They realize that everything has a higher purpose and that life on earth is just one aspect of a larger spiritual journey. This wisdom prevents them from getting caught up in the fleeting nature of worldly experiences.
5. **Not Confused about the Ultimate Truth**: Their understanding goes beyond just knowing that they are part of the Supreme. They have a clear idea of their relationship with God and differentiate that from mistakenly thinking they are completely one with God in every way. They understand both their individuality and their connection to the Divine. This clear perspective gives them peace and stability.
In essence, this verse teaches us that true wisdom involves maintaining emotional balance, understanding our true identities, and having a clear vision of our relationship with the Divine. Such a person is calm and steady regardless of external circumstances. They have reached a higher state of being where they can navigate life with grace and composure.