Gita for Life · Situations
What does the Gita say about success and failure?
4 passages of the Gita on this question. Each shows what the verse says, why it belongs here, and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s explanation.
In short
Every exam, interview and business deal ends in some success or some failure, and both come and go. The Gītā teaches us to give our best, to stay steady in either result, and to find our real success in serving Kṛṣṇa.
Give your best, and leave the result to Kṛṣṇa. Win or lose, stay steady.
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Results come and go like the seasons
āgamāpāyino ’nityās Bhagavad-gītā 2.14
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa compares happiness and distress to winter and summer: they appear and disappear in due course, they arise from sense perception, and “one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.” The person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both, He adds, is eligible for liberation 2.15.
Read 2.14 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda gives everyday examples: a religious man still bathes early in the morning in the cold month of Māgha, and a woman still cooks in the kitchen in the hottest months of summer. In the same way, he says, we must do our duty in spite of passing discomforts.
“One has to execute his duty in spite of climatic inconveniences.”
Lesson
A good result and a bad result are both seasons, and neither lasts. Don’t build your whole idea of yourself on one mark sheet or one appraisal.
Example
The joy of a high rank and the pain of a low one both fade within months, like summer and winter. What stays is the habit of steady work you built through both.
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Do your best, and stay even in success and failure
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā Bhagavad-gītā 2.48
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna to be steadfast in yoga, to perform his duty and to “abandon all attachment to success or failure”; such evenness of mind is called yoga. Earlier He has told him to fight for the sake of fighting, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat 2.38.
Read 2.48 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that yoga means fixing the mind on the Supreme, and since Kṛṣṇa Himself was telling Arjuna to fight, Arjuna had nothing to do with the results. His part was simply to act as Kṛṣṇa directed, as His servant.
“Gain or victory are Kṛṣṇa's concern; Arjuna is simply advised to act according to the dictation of Kṛṣṇa.”
Lesson
Evenness of mind does not mean you don’t care. It means you put all your care into the work, which is yours, and hand the result, which is not, to Kṛṣṇa.
Example
Before a board exam, prepare fully and pray. In the exam hall, give each question your best. Once you put the pen down, the result is in Kṛṣṇa’s hands; worrying will not change a single mark.
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Calm about results, full of enthusiasm for the work
dhṛty-utsāha-samanvitaḥ Bhagavad-gītā 18.26
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa describes the worker in the mode of goodness: free from material attachments and false ego, enthusiastic and resolute, and “indifferent to success or failure.”
Read 18.26 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
The worker who is free from all material attachments and false ego, who is enthusiastic and resolute and who is indifferent to success or failure, is a worker in the mode of goodness.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that such a worker has no expectations for the result of the work entrusted to him, because he is above false ego and pride; yet he stays enthusiastic till the work is complete, and does not worry about the trouble it takes.
“He has no expectations for the result of the work entrusted to him because he is above false ego and pride. Still, he is always enthusiastic till the completion of such work.”
Lesson
Detachment from results is no excuse for half-hearted work. The Gītā’s ideal worker is both: calm about the outcome and full of energy till the job is done.
Example
A young shopkeeper whose first year brings little profit keeps opening on time, serving his customers well and improving his shop, without panic and without giving up.
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In failure, don’t be shaken; in success, don’t be puffed up
duḥkheṣv anudvigna-manāḥ Bhagavad-gītā 2.56
What the verse says
A sage of steady mind is not disturbed in spite of miseries, is not elated when there is happiness, and is free from attachment, fear and anger. Such a person neither rejoices when he obtains good nor laments when he obtains evil 2.57.
Read 2.56 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
One who is not disturbed in spite of the threefold miseries, who is not elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a Kṛṣṇa conscious person accepts difficulties as the Lord’s mercy, and when he is happy he gives the credit to the Lord. Because his life is dedicated to the Lord’s service, he is always steady in his determination.
“he is not at all angry even when his attempts are unsuccessful”
Lesson
When you succeed, thank Kṛṣṇa and stay humble. When you fail, don’t turn your anger on yourself, your teachers or your family. Both are chances to serve Him better.
Example
When the results come out, one student celebrates by mocking a weaker friend, and another blames everyone for his low marks. A devotee does neither: he thanks Kṛṣṇa, helps his friend and plans his next attempt.
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Praise and blame both pass
tulya-nindā-stutir maunī Bhagavad-gītā 12.18–19
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa says that one who is equal to friends and enemies, equipoised in honour and dishonour, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, satisfied with anything and engaged in devotional service, is very dear to Him.
Read 12.18–19 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equiposed in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contamination, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn't care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and engaged in devotional service, is very dear to Me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that being praised and being criticised is simply the nature of human society. A devotee stays above such artificial fame and infamy; he is very patient and happy in all conditions.
“Sometimes one is praised and sometimes one is defamed; that is the nature of human society.”
Lesson
In any career you will be praised for things that were not all your doing and blamed for things that were not all your fault. Don’t let either decide your worth or your peace.
Example
This year your boss calls you a star; next year a new manager finds fault with everything. You are the same person doing the same honest work. Keep serving steadily.
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Nothing done for Kṛṣṇa is ever lost
na hi kalyāṇa-kṛt kaścid Bhagavad-gītā 6.40
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa assures Arjuna that a transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction, in this world or in the spiritual world: “one who does good, My friend, is never overcome by evil.” Earlier He said that on this path there is no loss or diminution, and that even a little advancement protects one from the most dangerous type of fear 2.40.
Read 6.40 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
The Blessed Lord said: Son of Pṛthā, a transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world; one who does good, My friend, is never overcome by evil.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda takes up the worry that someone who does not complete the spiritual path may lose both materially and spiritually. The Bhāgavatam reassures him, he explains: auspicious Kṛṣṇa consciousness is never forgotten, so even such a person is not a loser.
“The Bhāgavatam assures the unsuccessful transcendentalist that there need be no worries.”
Lesson
Material results can be lost: a rank, a post or a profit can disappear. But every sincere step taken for Kṛṣṇa stays with you, even beyond this life. In that sense a devotee never really fails.
Example
A man loses his business in a downturn, but the years in which he chanted, served and helped others are not lost. They are his real savings, and no market can touch them.
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Real success is to be where Kṛṣṇa is
yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo Bhagavad-gītā 18.78
What the verse says
Sañjaya concludes the Gītā: wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality.
Read 18.78 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Dhṛtarāṣṭra hoped for victory because great warriors like Bhīṣma, Droṇa and Karṇa were helping his sons. But Sañjaya told him that where Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna are present, there will be all good fortune.
“Victory was certain for the side of Arjuna because Kṛṣṇa was there.”
Lesson
Dhṛtarāṣṭra counted on famous warriors; Arjuna had Kṛṣṇa. Prepare with all your strength, as Arjuna did, but put your trust in Kṛṣṇa, not only in coaching, money or contacts. Being on His side is the success that never ends.
Example
A family that keeps Kṛṣṇa at the centre will have good years and hard years, but it does not lose its real wealth: faith, peace and one another.
Anxious or steady? Two ways to face results
| When results rule me | When Kṛṣṇa is at the centre | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| “This result decides who I am.” | “Results come and go like seasons; I remain.” | 2.14 |
| “I must get this result, or else.” | “I’ll give my best; the result is in Kṛṣṇa’s hands.” | 2.48 |
| “Why work hard if I shouldn’t care about results?” | “I’m calm about the result and full of energy for the work.” | 18.26 |
| “I won, so I’m the best. I lost, so someone else is to blame.” | “I thank Kṛṣṇa in success and stay steady in failure.” | 2.56 |
| “Their praise makes my day; their criticism ruins it.” | “Praise and blame both pass; I keep serving.” | 12.18–19 |
| “If I fail, everything is wasted.” | “Nothing done for Kṛṣṇa is ever lost.” | 6.40 |
| “My success depends on my resources.” | “My real success is to be on Kṛṣṇa’s side.” | 18.78 |
Our reflections, each based on the verse named beside it.
Ask yourself
- Do I let one result, good or bad, decide what I think of myself?
- Before an exam or an important task, is my energy going into preparing or into worrying?
- When I succeed, do I remember to thank Kṛṣṇa and the people who helped me?
- When I fail, whom do I blame, and what could I learn instead?
- What would change if I measured success by how sincerely I served Kṛṣṇa?
The essence
Success and failure are seasons; Kṛṣṇa is the sun that stays. Give your best, offer the result to Him, and you will stay steady whether you win or lose.
If the pressure of results feels too heavy, talk to someone you trust. In India you can call the free Tele-MANAS helpline, 14416.
The headings, explanations, lessons, examples, table and questions are ours, written to help you apply the verses. The Sanskrit lines, the verse translations and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s quoted words are from Bhagavad-gītā As It Is as published on vedabase.cc, unaltered.
All the verses for this topic
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Bhagavad-gītā 2.48
Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga.
Why this verse is here
Duty needs to be performed with equanimity abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga. (2.48 samatvaṁ yoga ucyate)
From the thematic compilation Equanimity and Satisfaction
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 2.48
Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna that he should act in yoga. And what is that yoga? Yoga means to concentrate the mind upon the Supreme by controlling the ever-disturbing senses. And who is the Supreme? The Supreme is the Lord. And because He Himself is telling Arjuna to fight, Arjuna has nothing to do with the results of the fight. Gain or victory are Kṛṣṇa's concern; Arjuna is simply advised to act according to the dictation of Kṛṣṇa. The following of Kṛṣṇa's dictation is real yoga, and this is practiced in the process called Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By Kṛṣṇa consciousness only can one give up the sense of proprietorship. One has to become the servant of Kṛṣṇa, or the servant of the servant of Kṛṣṇa. That is the right way to discharge duty in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which alone can help one to act in yoga.
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Bhagavad-gītā 2.14–15
O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
Show the other 1 verses of 2.14–15
O best among men [Arjuna], the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.
Bhagavad-gītā 2.15 Why this verse is here
Tolerate dualities; equanimilty is eligibility for liberation
From the study outline of the chapter
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 2.14
In the proper discharge of duty, one has to learn to tolerate nonpermanent appearances and disappearances of happiness and distress. According to Vedic injunction, one has to take his bath early in the morning even during the month of Māgha (January-February). It is very cold at that time, but in spite of that a man who abides by the religious principles does not hesitate to take his bath. Similarly, a woman does not hesitate to cook in the kitchen in the months of May and June, the hottest part of the summer season. One has to execute his duty in spite of climatic inconveniences. Similarly, to fight is the religious principle of the kṣatriyas, and although one has to fight with some friend or relative, one should not deviate from his prescribed duty. …
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Bhagavad-gītā 2.38
Do thou fight for the sake of fighting, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat—and, by so doing, you shall never incur sin.
Why this verse is here
By being equipoised in dualities, one shall never incur sin (2.38 sukha-duḥkhe same kṛtvā...)
From the thematic compilation Equanimity and Satisfaction
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 2.38
Lord Kṛṣṇa now directly says that Arjuna should fight for the sake of fighting because He desires the battle. There is no consideration of happiness or distress, profit or gain, victory or defeat in the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That everything should be performed for the sake of Kṛṣṇa is transcendental consciousness; so there is no reaction to material activities. He who acts for his own sense gratification, either in goodness or in passion, is subject to the reaction, good or bad. But he who has completely surrendered himself in the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is no longer obliged to anyone, nor is he a debtor to anyone, as one is in the ordinary course of activities. It is said:
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Bhagavad-gītā 2.56–57
One who is not disturbed in spite of the threefold miseries, who is not elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.
Show the other 1 verses of 2.56–57
He who is without attachment, who does not rejoice when he obtains good, nor lament when he obtains evil, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.
Bhagavad-gītā 2.57 Why this verse is here
An equipoised person regards alike all kinds of dualities (14.22-26, 6.7- 9, 2.56-57)
From the thematic compilation Equanimity and Satisfaction
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 2.56
The word muni means one who can agitate his mind in various ways for mental speculation without coming to a factual conclusion. It is said that every muni has a different angle of vision, and unless a muni differs from other munis, he cannot be called a muni in the strict sense of the term. Nāsau munir yasya mataṁ na binnam. But a sthita-dhī-muni as mentioned herein by the Lord, is different from an ordinary muni. The sthita-dhī-muni is always in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, for he has exhausted all his business of creative speculation. He has surpassed the stage of mental speculations and has come to the conclusion that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, or Vāsudeva, is everything. He is called a muni fixed in mind. …
Everyday questions answered by these verses
Related topics
Each verse is linked to this topic by a statement in our primary study source, shown under “Why this verse is here”. The verses and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words are quoted from Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, unaltered.