Guides · Peace · Courage · Failure
Bhagavad Gita 2.38
Do what is in front of you without letting the scoreboard decide how you feel about yourself.
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2, Verse 38
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ।
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि॥
sukha-duḥkhe same kṛtvā lābhālābhau jayājayau
tato yuddhāya yujyasva naivaṁ pāpam avāpsyasi
Translation
Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat as the same, engage in the task before you. In this way you will incur no fault.
हिन्दी भावार्थ
सुख-दुख, लाभ-हानि और जय-पराजय को समान समझकर अपने कर्तव्य में लग जाओ। ऐसा करने से तुम्हें कोई दोष नहीं लगेगा।
In simple words Interpretation
Do what is in front of you without letting the scoreboard decide how you feel about yourself.
Context
Krishna asks Arjuna to step into his responsibility with a balanced mind, not one ruled by hope or dread of the result.
When this may help
When fear of losing — or hunger to win — is making it hard to act clearly.
Reflection question
What would you attempt if winning and losing mattered a little less?
A small practice
Pick one thing you've been avoiding because it might go badly. Do just the first five minutes of it.
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