Shloka 24
भीमसेननादः तथा प्रथमसंमर्दः
Bhīmasena’s Roar and the First Clash
समदु:ःखसुख: स्वस्थ: समलोष्टाश्मकाउचन: । तुल्यप्रियाप्रियो धीरस्तुल्यनिन्दा55त्मसंस्तुति:,जो निरन्तर आत्मभावमें स्थित, दुःख-सुखको समान समझनेवाला, मिट्टी, पत्थर और स्वर्णमें समानभाववाला, ज्ञानी, प्रिय तथा अप्रियको एक-सा माननेवाला& और अपनी निन्दा-स्तुतिमें भी समानभाववाला है*
arjuna uvāca | samaduḥkhasukhaḥ svasthaḥ samaloṣṭāśmakāñcanaḥ | tulyapriyāpriyo dhīras tulyanindātmasaṃstutiḥ ||
Arjuna said: “He is steady and self-possessed, regarding pleasure and pain alike; he looks with equal vision upon a clod of earth, a stone, and gold. Firm in understanding, he treats what is dear and what is not dear as the same, and remains equal-minded in blame and in praise directed toward himself.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines inner steadiness (dhīratā) as equanimity: the wise person remains balanced in pleasure and pain, does not measure worth by external objects like gold versus stone, and is not shaken by praise or blame. Ethical maturity is shown as freedom from attachment and aversion.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s dialogue setting, Arjuna speaks while reflecting on the marks of a truly steady and wise person. The focus is not on battlefield tactics but on character—how one should remain inwardly composed amid conflict, judgment, and changing fortunes.