yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehas tat tat prāpya śubhāśubham nābhinandati na dveṣṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā
"One who is without attachment everywhere, who neither rejoices upon receiving good nor despairs upon receiving evil—that person's wisdom is firmly established."
What This Means:
The wise person isn't attached to anything. When good things happen, they don't get overly excited. When bad things happen, they don't get overly upset. This even response to life's ups and downs shows that their wisdom is rock-solid.
Going Deeper:
The phrase 'anabhisneha' (without attachment) doesn't mean cold or uncaring—it means not clinging. The sage can appreciate good fortune without clinging to it, and face misfortune without being destroyed by it. Their inner state remains stable regardless of what the outer world brings. This stability is 'prajna pratishthita' (established wisdom).
How To Apply This:
Practice neutral observation of your reactions. When something good happens, notice the excitement without drowning in it. When something bad happens, notice the disappointment without being overwhelmed. Create a slight gap between event and reaction. In that gap, wisdom grows.
Key Sanskrit Terms: