Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 2.15

Shloka 2.15

“O Arjuna, the man who is not disturbed by pleasure and pain, and remains steady in both, is fit for immortality.”

Key Teaching: Equanimity in pleasure and pain qualifies one for spiritual liberation.

Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Equanimity.

500-Word Description:
Krishna teaches that a person undisturbed by pleasure and pain, remaining steady in both, is eligible for immortality (liberation). This verse builds on 2.14, urging Arjuna to transcend sensory experiences to overcome his grief (1.28–46). The themes of guidance, as Krishna instructs, dharma, as he clarifies spiritual duty, and equanimity, as he emphasizes emotional stability, are central. This teaching shifts Arjuna’s focus from emotional turmoil to spiritual resilience.

In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s despair stems from attachment to kin like Bhishma and Drona (1.26–27), causing emotional instability. Krishna’s call for equanimity contrasts with Duryodhana’s material ambition (1.3–11), offering a spiritual solution to Arjuna’s crisis. By emphasizing steadiness, Krishna prepares Arjuna to fulfill his Kshatriya duty without being swayed by emotions.

Philosophically, this verse addresses the human tendency to be swayed by dualities (pleasure/pain), a theme Krishna refines with teachings on detachment (2.47). Arjuna’s grief complicates his warrior dharma, as attachment hinders action, necessitating Krishna’s guidance on equanimity. The theme of equanimity underscores the path to liberation, aligning with the Gita’s spiritual core.

Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s teaching objectively, emphasizing its transformative potential. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s challenges, where emotional stability enables righteous action. Krishna’s focus on equanimity prepares readers for teachings on performing duty with detachment, transcending sensory fluctuations to achieve spiritual clarity.