Bhagwad Gita - Post 30

Verse 57

Yah sarvatraanabhisnehas tattat

Praapya shubhaashubham;

Naabhinandati na dweshti

Tasya prajnaa pratishthitaa.

He who is everywhere without attachment,
on meeting with anything good or bad,
who neither rejoices nor hates,
his wisdom is fixed.

This shloka uses an interesting word “anabhisneha”, which means without affection. The root of this word is “sniha” which means “to stick”. 

Most of us tend to get stuck to objects, people and situations that we encounter in our lives. And it is that stickiness which gets us into trouble.

Lord Krishna explains here that one devoid of attachment to everything, when exposed to that which is good does not rejoice, neither does such a one lament when exposed to that which is not good.

If one remains unattached and works towards a goal, he gains the objectivity to remain the same whether he succeeds or fails in accomplishing that goal. 

When exposed to sources of pleasure, such a one does not rejoice at receiving these things nor give praise to those who have bequeathed these things. 

Similarly, when exposed to sources of unpleasantness, such a one does not show disdain and is indifferent to statements made by people to criticize him such as being called a pseudo yogi or a hypocrite. 

Thus, the essence is such a one uses his words sparsely, praises no one and blames no one and because he possesses neither love nor hatred for any living being benefits all. Such a one is situated in transcendent consciousness.

He knows that he was there before that success or failure happened, he was there during it, and he will be there after it as well. Therefore, whatever happened can be easily dealt with. In no way does he let any adverse outcome demotivate him.

(The above expression, if understood at the highest level, would mean - "He as SELF, exists before anything happened, before even this creation happened (emerged) and will remain even after everything gets over (even the creation ends). A stitaprajna exists thus, rooted in his super conscious state!!).

Sankara describes the state of such a man of wisdom in Viveka Chudamani thus:

“He who, through desire for liberation, has attained perfect freedom from desires is able to abide in the Self and get rid of all attachments, inner as well as outer, and he alone achieves inner and outer renunciation. 

Moreover, it is only he who is without desires, who has perfect non-attachment and so obtains samadhi and through samadhi the certainty that he has won to tattva jnana, which brings liberation.

He who has attained liberation has attained Eternal bliss. Therefore complete non attachment is the only path for him who aspires to the bliss of union with the bride of liberation”.

Love.