Chapter-18, Verse 55

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.55 

भृत्यैः पुत्रैः कलत्रैश्च दौहित्रैश्चापि गोत्रजैः ।

विहस्य धिक्कृतो योगी न याति विकृतिं मनाक् ॥ ५५ ॥

By servants, sons, wives, grandsons, and relatives of the clan: even when ridiculed, the yogi does not go to any distortion of the mind. 

The meaning of this verse is that a true yogi, who has realized the Supreme Self, is not affected by the praise or blame of others. He is indifferent to the worldly attachments and honors that may come his way. He is not disturbed by the insults or mockery of his family or relatives, who may not understand his spiritual quest. He remains calm and serene in his inner state (sama buddhih), which is beyond the fluctuations of the mind.

This verse illustrates the detachment and equanimity of a Realized person, who has transcended the dualities of pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor, gain and loss. He is not swayed by the opinions of others, nor does he seek their approval or validation. He is content and happy in his own Self, which is the Source of all Bliss and peace.

Similar Vedic Verses:

- Maitri Upanishad

यस्मिन्निदं यस्य च वेद सर्वं यस्यानुभूतिं न विदुष्टराः । यस्यान्तःसुखे सुखितो निरीहो यस्यात्मसम्पदि तुष्यति धीरः ॥

He in whom this (universe) is, he who knows all this, whose experience none can comprehend; he who is happy within, without desire, he who is wise and content in his own Self. 

This verse describes the characteristics of a wise person, who has realized the unity of the Self and the universe. He is not dependent on external objects or events for his happiness, nor does he have any desire or expectation. He is satisfied and joyful in his own Self, which is the essence of all existence.

- Bhagavad Gita

नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना ।

न चाभावयतः शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम् ॥

There is no intelligence in the unsteady, nor is there meditation in the unsteady; nor is there peace for the un-meditative, and how can the restless have happiness? 

This verse is spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, who is facing a moral dilemma on the battlefield. Krishna teaches him the principles of yoga, which is the discipline of the mind and the senses. He says that one who is not steady in his mind, who is distracted by the worldly objects and emotions, cannot attain the higher wisdom or the inner peace. He also says that one who is not peaceful cannot be happy, as happiness is the result of a calm and serene mind.

- Katha Upanishad

यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः ।

अथ मर्त्योऽमृतो भवत्यत्र ब्रह्म समश्नुते ॥

When all the desires that dwell in the heart are cast away, then the mortal becomes immortal, and attains Brahman here. 

This verse is a dialogue between the young boy Nachiketa and the god of death Yama, who teaches him the secrets of life and death. Yama says that the root cause of bondage and suffering is the attachment to the desires that arise in the heart. He says that one who renounces all the desires, and realizes the Supreme Self, which is Brahman, becomes free from the cycle of birth and death, and attains immortality and Bliss.