BHAGAVAD GEETA: 80 - Swami Advayananda.

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BHAGAVAD GEETA
Chapter - 2
Discourse – 2 (72 Slogas)
“Yoga of the SUPREME SELF”
Sri Veda Vyasaji

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Monday 08, Jul 2024, 06:30.
Discourse 2 | Yoga of the Supreme Self  
2.12   THE MAN OF STEADY WISDOM 
(Slogas 54-67, 14 No.
Slogam - 56: Q2-4:    The Sthitaprajna – Relative Level
Post - 80.

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|| 2-56|| 

Slogam - 56: Q2-4:    The Sthitaprajna – Relative Level:

1 

Duhkheshu anudvigna-manaah = In adversity, his mind remains unshaken. 

2 

Sukheshu vigatasprihah; = In pleasure, it remains without hankering. 

3 

veeta-raaga-bhaya-krodhah = Free from attachment, fear and anger 

4 

sthitadheeh munih uchyate. = such a man is called a “Sage of Steady Wisdom”. 

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This slogam continues the definition of the Sthitaprajna, this time from the relative 

level. It summarises Questions 2, 3 & 4. The detailed answers to these questions follow in 

the subsequent 11 verses. The fundamental principles that describe the Sthitaprajna from 

the mental perspective is given here. The definition is not a superficial assessment of the 

sage’s mind, but goes deep into his very inner nature.

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The three essential features of the Sthitaprajna’s mental state are: 

1. “A mind unshaken by adversity (Duhkha)”; Blissful; 

2.“A mind unhankering after pleasures (Sukha)”; Contented; 

3.“A mind unattached, fearless and without anger;” Peaceful.  

4.

These three define the state of mind of the Sthitaprajna. There are no reliable 

‘external signals’ for such states. Any external sign could be very misleading; so much so 

that it is not even considered by Sri Krishna. The next 11 verses expand on these features. 

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An Objection: 

A point to be noted is that mental states come and go in any person. 

They are ever fluctuating and dynamic in their character. They depend on the blend of 

Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas in the mind at a particular time. For this reason, objectors may 

argue that these mental states listed above are “external” relative to the Self. This argument 

is put forward by those who do not wish to credit the Sthitaprajna with higher spiritual 

attainment. They claim that these three states are not the highest spiritual state. 

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The Lord’s Reply: 

Sri Krishna’s answer in the previous verse makes it clear that the 

objection is unsound. The Sthitaprajna is the highest level attainable by man. He is none 

other than a God-realised sage. A more accurate description of him is not possible in words. 

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In a Sthitaprajna, these are to be considered as “mental states”, as they are always 

present in him. The mind of a steady sage is well above the fluctuations to which the 

ordinary mind is subjected. Suffice it to say that the Sthitaprajna lives in another level of 

experience compared to the ordinary observer.   

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Sri Krishna’s definition is considered by Sri Shankaracharyaji to be difficult to 

improve upon. The reason given is that the three states described are such that they 

exclude all presence of the human Ego. The Ego cannot survive under the conditions 

described in these three states. Every Ego wants to expand itself, it wants recognition, it 

keeps away from what hurts it, it is afraid of losing what it has, it is threatened by other 

egos which compete with it, and it is frustrated when denied what it wants. This is egoic life, 

the very antithesis of the states described here by Sri Krishna. 

*****

Next

Slogam- 57: Q2: “How Does He Speak?” – His Output

Continued

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