Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 12 verse 18
Chapter 12 · Bhakti Yoga

An Even Keel · Steady Through Praise and Blame

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः । शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ॥

samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca tathā mānāpamānayoḥ śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu samaḥ saṅga-vivarjitaḥ

Meaning

"Equal toward friend and foe, equal in honor and dishonor, equal in heat and cold, joy and sorrow, and free from attachment."

Explanation

An even keel through both praise and criticism, comfort and discomfort, is a quiet superpower — it keeps you from being endlessly tossed around by circumstances. That steadiness is built one small even response at a time.

Today's Life Lesson

If praise or criticism comes your way today, try responding with the same even calm to both.

More verses to reflect on