Chapter-17, Verse 15

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 17.15:

सुखे दुःखे नरे नार्यां संपत्सु विपत्सु च ।

विशेषो नैव धीरस्य सर्वत्र समदर्शिनः ॥ १५ ॥

In pleasure and pain, in man and woman, in success and failure,

There is no difference for the wise one who sees everything as equal. || 15 ||

The meaning of this verse is that the wise one, who has Realized the Supreme Self, is not affected by the dualities of life. He or she does not see any distinction between the opposites, but perceives the same essence in all. The wise one is not attached to pleasure or averse to pain, not biased towards man or woman, not elated by success or depressed by failure. The wise one is always calm, balanced, and content, seeing the same Self in all beings and all situations.

This verse expresses the state of equanimity, which is one of the marks of a Realized person. Equanimity is the result of transcending the ego and the mind, which are the sources of attachment, aversion, and delusion. Equanimity is also the means of attaining Realization, as it enables one to remain detached from the fluctuations of the world and focus on the inner Reality. Equanimity is the sign of wisdom, as it shows that one has understood the true nature of the Self, which is beyond all differences and changes.

This verse also implies the practice of Sameness which means to see the same Self in all, to treat all with equal respect and compassion, to remain unaffected by the external conditions, and to abide in the inner peace and joy. Sameness is a way of overcoming the ignorance and illusion that create the sense of separation and diversity. Sameness is a way of realizing the unity, harmony and brotherhood that pervade the entire creation.

Similar verses from other Vedic texts that convey the message of equanimity and sameness:

- From the Bhagavad Gita 5.18:

विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि । शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ॥ १८ ॥

The wise ones see the same in a learned and humble brahmana, in a cow, in an elephant, in a dog, and in a dog-eater. || 18 ||

- From the Isha Upanishad 6:

यस्तु सर्वाणि भूतान्यात्मन्येवानुपश्यति ।

सर्वभूतेषु चात्मानं ततो न विजुगुप्सते ॥ ६ ॥

But he who sees all beings in the Self, and the Self in all beings, he never turns away from it. || 6 ||

- From the Yoga Vasistha (Chapter 6, Verse 2.1.19):

यथा नानाविधा भावा दृश्यन्ते स्वप्नवासिनः ।

तथा जाग्रत्कृता भावा दृश्यन्ते ब्रह्मवासिनः ॥ १९ ॥

As various forms are seen by the dreamer, so are the waking states seen by the one who dwells in Brahman. || 19 ||