Gita 14.25
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
मानापमानयोस्तुल्यस्तुल्यो मित्रारिपक्षयोः | सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी गुणातीतः स उच्यते ||२५||
mānāpamānayos tulyas tulyo mitrāri-pakṣayoḥ | sarvārambha-parityāgī guṇātītaḥ sa ucyate ||25||
In essence: Equal in honor and dishonor, impartial to friend and foe, abandoning all undertaking-ego - such a one is called gunatita.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Equal toward friend and enemy - but enemies might harm me. Shouldn't I distinguish?"
Guru: "Distinguish you should; emotionally invested you needn't be. You might keep distance from harmful people while not hating them. You might trust friendly people while not depending on their friendship. The equality is inner, not outer."
Sadhak: "And renouncing all undertakings - does this mean giving up all projects and goals?"
Guru: "Not the projects but the 'I-am-doing-this' sense. Projects may flow through you. Goals may be pursued through this body-mind. But the claim 'This is MY undertaking' dissolves. Work continues; ownership of work ceases."
Sadhak: "How can I work without feeling ownership? If it's my project, surely I should feel responsible."
Guru: "Response-ability - the ability to respond - continues and even improves. What drops is the ego-investment that distorts perception and creates anxiety. You respond to what's needed in the project without the burden of 'This defines me, this must succeed for me to be okay.'"
Sadhak: "Is it even possible to function without ego-investment in modern competitive life?"
Guru: "Not only possible but more effective. Ego-investment creates fear of failure, defensiveness about ideas, inability to collaborate, and distorted judgment. Without it, you see clearly, respond appropriately, and remain peaceful regardless of outcome. This is the competitive advantage no MBA teaches."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Before beginning any task, notice: am I undertaking this as 'my' project? Can I let the work flow through without claiming ownership? This shift in relationship to work transforms the entire day's quality.
Observe how you treat 'friends' versus 'others.' Is there a softness toward in-group, hardness toward out-group? Practice offering the same basic respect to everyone. Not ignoring practical differences, but releasing emotional tribalism.
Review the day's undertakings. Were they 'yours' or did they flow through you? Were you invested in outcomes or present to the process? No judgment - just noticing prepares for tomorrow's practice.