After instructing Arjuna to tolerate the fleeting dualities of life, Lord Krishna now explains the glorious result of mastering this practice. Why should one endure happiness and distress with an equal mind? The Yam Hi Na Vyathayanty Ete verse reveals the ultimate prize: such a person becomes fit for immortality. This verse elevates the practice of tolerance from a mere psychological coping mechanism to the essential qualification for achieving liberation, the ultimate goal of spiritual life.
Sanskrit Verse
यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ ।
समदुःखसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते ॥ १५ ॥Transliteration
yaṁ hi na vyathayanty ete puruṣaṁ puruṣarṣabha
sama-duḥkha-sukhaṁ dhīraṁ so ’mṛtatvāya kalpateWord for Word Translation
yam — one to whom; hi — certainly; na vyathayanti — are not distressing; ete — these; puruṣam — to a person; puruṣa-ṛṣabha — O best among men; sama — equal; duḥkha — in distress; sukham — and happiness; dhīram — the steady one; saḥ — he; amṛtatvāya — for liberation (immortality); kalpate — is considered fit.
English Translation
O best among men (Arjuna), the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
This verse directly connects the practice of tolerance (`titikṣā`) to the attainment of immortality (`amṛtatva`). Krishna outlines the characteristics of a person who is on the path to transcendence.
- Yaṁ hi na vyathayanty ete: “The one who is not disturbed by these.” “These” refers to the sense perceptions of happiness and distress mentioned in the previous verse. The key verb is `na vyathayanti`, meaning they do not cause agitation, pain, or disturbance. This is not a state of numbness, but a state of profound inner stability where the soul is not thrown into turmoil by external events.
- Sama-duḥkha-sukhaṁ dhīram: “The steady person who is equal in distress and happiness.” Here, Krishna defines the `dhīram` (the wise, steady person) more deeply. Such a person maintains equanimity (`sama`) in the face of both `duḥkha` (distress) and `sukha` (happiness). They do not become overly attached and elated in good times, nor do they become overly dejected in bad times. They see both as temporary waves on the surface of the ocean of consciousness.
- So ’mṛtatvāya kalpate: “He is considered fit for immortality.” This is the sublime promise of the verse. `Amṛtatva` means immortality, which in the Vedic context refers to liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death. The person who has cultivated the inner stability to remain undisturbed by the world’s dualities is the one who becomes eligible to transcend the material world altogether.
Conclusion
Lord Krishna elevates the entire discussion. Tolerating life’s ups and downs is no longer just a strategy for a more peaceful life; it is the very training ground for eternal liberation. By remaining steady, a person proves that their identity is not tied to the fleeting experiences of the body and mind. They begin to identify with their true self—the eternal, unchanging soul. This equanimity is the key that unlocks the door to `amṛtatva`, freeing one from the endless cycle of reincarnation and restoring them to their original, immortal nature.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 16 – Nasato Vidyate Bhavo
