For one who has conquered the self and attained tranquility, the Supreme Self is already reached. Such a person remains balanced amidst cold and heat, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor.
Synthesis
For the self-conquered person, the Supreme Self is already reached — tranquil in heat and cold, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor. The Advaita tradition sees this as the natural state of Self-knowledge. Ramanuja teaches that resting in God brings equanimity. The Bhakti tradition values inner joy as the source of steadiness. Madhvacharya teaches the soul rests in God. Abhinavagupta sees the Supreme Self as never actually lost. Vallabhacharya teaches equanimity comes from an inexhaustible inner source. Tilak reads unshakeable steadiness as the karma yoga goal. Vivekananda teaches that equanimity is supreme strength.
Commentaries 8 traditions
Shankara explains that for the self-controlled and tranquil person, the Supreme Self (Paramatma) is ever present in their awareness. The dualities of heat and cold, pleasure and pain no longer disturb because the sage is established in the unchanging Self beyond all pairs of opposites.
Apply This Verse
Personal Growth
Equanimity is the highest emotional intelligence. When you can maintain your center through both success and failure, comfort and discomfort, you've reached a level of maturity that nothing external can shake.
Questions this verse answers
- ?"How do I stay calm when everything is going wrong?"
- ?"How do I handle both praise and criticism equally?"
- ?"What does true equanimity feel like?"
- ?"How do I stop being emotionally reactive to circumstances?"