
2
CHAPTER
VERSE
14
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदु:खदा: |
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत || 2.14 ||
mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkhadāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata ||
O son of Kunti (Arjun), the contact between the senses and the sense objects gives rise to fleeting perceptions of happiness and distress. They are temporary and come and go. Bear them patiently, O Arjuna.
Lesson:
In this verse, Lord Krishna is advising Arjuna about the nature of sensory experiences. He explains that the feelings of pleasure and pain that arise from contact between the senses (such as touch, taste, sight, etc.) and their objects (like objects of touch, food, pleasant sights, etc.) are temporary and impermanent. They come and go like the changing seasons.
Lord Krishna urges Arjuna to tolerate these fluctuations of pleasure and pain with patience and equanimity. He advises Arjuna to maintain his composure and not be swayed by these transient experiences. This teaching emphasizes the concept of detachment from worldly pleasures and pains, understanding that they are fleeting and do not represent the ultimate reality.
By encouraging Arjuna to endure these experiences without being disturbed, Lord Krishna is preparing him for the challenges ahead in his life. This verse teaches us the importance of maintaining inner stability and resilience amidst the ups and downs of life, ultimately leading to a state of inner peace and contentment.