Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya YogaChapter 2, Shloka 48 (2.48)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते
॥ 2.48 ॥
yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya
siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate
Translation
"O Dhananjaya! Established in yoga, giving up attachment, remaining the same in success and failure, perform action. This evenness of mind is called 'yoga'."
Interpretation
The definition of yoga — equanimity. The Gita will give several definitions of "yoga"; this is the first: samatva — remaining the same in success and failure. That is, yoga is not some external practice but an inner state.
"Saṅgaṃ tyaktvā" — giving up attachment. Attachment to what?
- Shankaracharya: Do action only for Ishvara — and even then, giving up the attachment "may Ishvara be pleased with me". Siddhi = the attainment of knowledge through purity of mind brought about by action free of thirst for fruit; asiddhi = its opposite — remain the same in both.
- Ramanuja: Giving up attachment to the kingdom, relatives and so on, perform action such as fighting; remain the same in the success or failure of victory and the like that come within it. Yoga = chitta-samadhana, a settled mind, in the form of evenness in success and failure.
Shankara's subtlety. "May Ishvara be pleased" — even this is a subtle desire for fruit! Shankaracharya says give this up too. That is the depth of desirelessness — not even the desire for a spiritual "reward".
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.