Sthitapragna
A note about my favourite word
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
Rudyard Kipling, If
My Favourite Word
During one of the Misfits book club meetings, everyone was asked to mention their favourite word and explain why. I had never thought about my favourite word. When my turn arrived a random word popped in my head. Sthitapragna, a Sanskrit word which means — a person with composure or equanimity.
It seemed like an aspirational word at that moment because I was going through a lot and still holding the fort. I had not realised that this word has been drilled down so deeply into my psyche till I met with an accident.
The Accident
The car was totalled. I had brought it just 11 months ago and had not had any major accident. This came as a very rude surprise.
I was shocked for a moment but I was able to quickly gather my composure. Something in me was telling me everything would be fine.
This is nothing.
There was a huge street argument where I was alone and the entire crowd was making all sorts of speculation. The other guy was a local, so naturally he got support.
And there were some shady content creators who started making a video about the accident and squarely pinned the blame on me. But still, I was not rattled. In fact, I asked these idiots about their career plans.
Eventually, I ended up in the police station and a dear friend of mine came to my rescue at the last moment. It was like a Bollywood movie. When I think about that day, I am sorta impressed with the cool attitude I had throughout the turbulent hours.
The Backstory
Today I was lazing on the couch and wondering why “Sthitapragna” is my favourite word.
At first I thought it was because I had read some stoic philosophy by Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus. But those books captured the essence of a stable mind but did not actually teach me the exact word which I adore now.
It reminded me of the shlokas I had read in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita. And I had a chance to revisit them. I’m sharing these for the benefit of the reader.
Arjuna
स्थितप्रज्ञस्य का भाषा समाधिस्थस्य केशव |
स्थितधी: किं प्रभाषेत किमासीत व्रजेत किम् || 54||sthita-prajñasya kā bhāṣhā samādhi-sthasya keśhava
sthita-dhīḥ kiṁ prabhāṣheta kim āsīta vrajeta kimArjun said : O Keshav, what is the disposition of one who is situated in divine consciousness? How does an enlightened person talk? How does he sit? How does he walk?
Krishna
दु:खेष्वनुद्विग्नमना: सुखेषु विगतस्पृह: |
वीतरागभयक्रोध: स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते || 56||duḥkheṣhv-anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣhu vigata-spṛihaḥ
vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ sthita-dhīr munir uchyateOne whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery, who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
य: सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम् |
नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता || 57||yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehas tat tat prāpya śhubhāśhubham
nābhinandati na dveṣhṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitāOne who remains unattached under all conditions, and is neither delighted by good fortune nor dejected by tribulation, he is a sage with perfect knowledge.
Source: www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/
Overall, I’d say that Sthitapragna is the coolest word out there. It is an inspiring word and an aspirational state of mind. Literally, nobody on the planet can hurt you if you can enter into this state of mind.