sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ sva-sthaḥ sama-loṣṭāśma-kāñcanaḥ tulya-priyāpriyo dhīras tulya-nindātma-saṁstutiḥ
"Equal in pleasure and pain, self-reliant, regarding a clod, stone, and gold as equal, the same toward pleasant and unpleasant, firm, equal in blame and praise of oneself—"
What This Means:
More signs: equal in pleasure and pain, established in the Self, seeing equal value in dirt, rock, and gold, not preferring pleasant over unpleasant, steady, unmoved by criticism or praise.
Going Deeper:
Qualities of the gunatita: 'sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ'—equal in pain-pleasure. 'Sva-sthaḥ'—established in Self (not dependent on external support). 'Sama-loṣṭa-aśma-kāñcanaḥ'—clod, stone, gold are equal (no material craving). 'Tulya-priya-apriyaḥ'—same toward pleasant and unpleasant. 'Dhīraḥ'—firm, wise. 'Tulya-nindā-ātma-saṁstutiḥ'—equal in blame and praise. Total freedom from external valuation.
How To Apply This:
Notice how you inflate with praise and deflate with criticism. This vulnerability shows guna-identification. Practice: when praised, don't grab; when criticized, don't resist. Let opinions pass through like weather.
Key Sanskrit Terms: