Real strength is knowing that no matter how today went, you are coming back tomorrow with a new push. This simple yet profound insight captures a truth that runs deeply through Sanātana Dharma and shines brilliantly in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gītā.

In the spiritual tradition of India, Dhairya, or ‘resilience’, is not about outward force but the willingness to stand up against all odds in life with consistent courage. Even after a fall, it is the willpower to act again with purpose.

In Saṃskṛta, Dhairya is subtly differentiated from Shaurya and Sāhas.

• Shaurya is the act of bravery in the face of conflict.
• Sāhas is the act of daring and enterprise.

Shaurya and Sāhas are situational courage, while Dhairya is the fortitude to maintain courage over a sustained period, even in the face of adversity.

When the Bhagavad Gītā opens, Arjuna, the brave warrior, does not display heroic confidence. He collapses, confessing:

“I feel my limbs quivering and my mouth is dry. My whole body is trembling and my hair is standing on end. My bow, Gāṇḍīva, is slipping from my hand and my skin is burning. I cannot stand steady; I am forgetting myself and my mind is reeling; I see only causes of misfortune.” (Bhagavad Gītā 1.28–30)

Arjuna’s vulnerability teaches an essential truth: even the bravest can break down.

Arjuna’s despair is the starting point for his spiritual growth. Śrī Kṛṣṇa does not shame Arjuna’s collapse. Instead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa motivates Arjuna, imparting priceless life wisdom; and through him, he enlightens all of us. His guidance on resilience unfolds through the four pillars of Dhairya:

• Vyavasāya: determination, the resolve to realise purpose
• Dhṛti: steadfastness, the strength to keep going
• Sahiṣṇutā: endurance, the patience to bear difficulties with dignity
• Sthitaprajñatā: equanimity, the wisdom beyond emotional turbulence

Vyavasāya: Purposeful Determination

The term Vyavasāya refers to determination with a clear intent. It is the resolute action of Buddhi (the intellect) after sensory perception and mental processing have occurred.

In the Bhagavad Gītā, we are introduced to the term Vyavasāyātmikā Buddhi, or the resolute intellect that directs endeavour.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa discusses the focussed nature of those with a resolute intellect, in contrast to the fragmented and endless pursuits of those without such determination:

“Resolute is the intellect of those who are on this path, and their aim is single-pointed, O descendent of the Kurus (Arjuna). But the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many branched.”(Bhagavad Gītā 2.41)

He also highlights the importance of having a single-minded, unwavering resolve, rather than being preoccupied by the many worldly distractions:

“Whose minds are deeply attached to sense enjoyment and material opulence and whose intellects are bewildered by such things, such people are unable to cultivate the resolute intellect necessary for self-fulfilment”.(Bhagavad Gītā 2.44)

Cultivating purposeful determination entails the following:

1. Clarifying What Truly Matters

Purposeful determination begins by clarifying what truly matters — your values, your aspirations, and the experiences you hope to create. This self-reflection offers direction and prevents you from pursuing goals that lack meaning.

2. Aligning Action With Intention

With your priorities defined, you can align daily actions with deeper intentions. Purpose becomes real through consistent choices — both large and small — that reflect what you care about, creating a sense of coherence between who you are and what you do.

3. Building Focus With Discipline

Modern life pulls our attention in many directions, and without deliberate effort, we can easily drift from our goals.

Disciplined focus allows you to stay committed amid distractions. It means noticing the distracting thoughts, emotions, and expectations as they appear and then gently letting them go. You return your attention to the present moment without allowing these transient reflections to steer your actions.

By practicing focus and setting boundaries, you transform intention into sustained action.

Thus, Vyavasāya is the conscious commitment to effort anchored in meaningful goals. Over time, this purposeful determination shapes not only what you accomplish, but also who you become.

Dhṛti: Consistent Steadfastness

The term Dhṛti refers to the unwavering steadfastness of the spirit. It is the strength to keep moving even when one’s heart is heavy or one’s will is exhausted.

An example of steadfastness is the spirit of the entrepreneur who has suffered a setback; they accept the loss, reassesses their vision, and begin rebuilding step by step, guided by what they have learned.

A verse from the Bhagavad Gītā highlights Sāttvika Dhṛti (spiritual steadfastness) as a crucial quality for maintaining mental and sensory control:

“The steadfastness that sustains the activities of the mind, the life-airs, the senses, and all activities is developed through Yog; O Parth, it is said to be Sāttvika Dhṛti (spiritual steadfastness).” (Bhagavad Gītā 18.33)

Śrī Kṛṣṇa also emphasises disciplined practice and detachment:

“The mind is restless and difficult to control, but it can be trained through practice and detachment.” (Bhagavad Gītā 6.35)

Cultivating consistent steadfastness entails the following:

1. Steady Practice

Steady practice starts with a simple, repeatable discipline like meditation, exercise, or journaling; it values consistency over intensity.

A set routine, a chosen time, and fewer obstacles help the habit take root. Showing up even on low-motivation days and accepting imperfect sessions builds lasting stability, as it is persistence, not perfection, that gradually trains the mind.

2. Detachment

Detachment is the art of engaging fully without clinging to outcomes.

“You have the right to action but never to its fruits. Let not results be your motive, and do not succumb to inaction.” (Bhagavad Gītā 2.47)

This verse guides us to understanding detachment as the consistent obligation to action while releasing the need for immediate results, understanding that growth happens subtly and over time.

Do even the smallest task giving your best effort and without seeking recognition or reward. Consider your endeavours as offerings to a higher purpose, allowing your actions to be guided by Satya (truth) and Dharma (righteousness). When you are able to consistently detach yourself from the rewards of actions, you develop the fortitude to tide adversity with more ease.

Thus, Dhṛti is the strength to persevere and continue showing up, even when motivation weakens. This consistent steadfastness in action is what ultimately leads to long-term success.

Sahiṣṇutā: Sustained Endurance

The term Sahiṣṇutā refers to the emotional stamina to bear through crisis, uncertainty, and discomfort with patience.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa encourages Arjuna to develop this endurance to face life’s dualities — joy and sorrow, gain and loss, acceptance and rejection.

“O Arjuna, the contact between the senses and sense objects produces heat and cold, pleasure and pain. They come and go; therefore, endure them bravely.” (Bhagavad Gītā 2.14)

Cultivating sustained endurance entails the following:

1. Working Towards Emotional Maturity

Begin working on your emotional growth:

• Trust that difficulties are temporary and can be navigated with patience and clarity.
• Be patient towards you own process — allowing growth, healing, and learning to unfold without harsh self-criticism.
• Stay grounded, resist impulsive reactions, and take time to think through issues.

 These are the first steps to facing challenges with steadiness.

2. Showing Compassion To Others

Endurance also includes controlling your impatience with others:

• Practice responding compassionately to people under pressure.
• Offer support rather than judgment.
• Recognise that everyone carries unseen burdens.

When you understand your own struggles, you naturally extend empathy to others.

3. Surrender To A Higher Power

One of the greatest sources of such endurance is surrendering to the Divine.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa declares:

“Take refuge in Me alone; I shall free you from all sorrow.” (Bhagavad Gītā 18.66)

Surrendering to the Divine is about consciously yielding your will, desires, and ego to a higher power for guidance and control. It is not giving up; it is placing your trust in the Divine. That trust gently dissolves fear, and fearlessness enhances endurance.

Thus, Sahiṣṇutā is withstanding the shifts in life situations with steady dignity rather than swinging with every high and low. This sustained endurance blossoms into lasting emotional tenacity.

Sthitaprajñatā : Unshaken Equanimity

Sthitaprajñatā is the inner state of equanimity. The Sthitaprajña is a person whose wisdom remains steady through the turmoil of life.

Here we differentiate between Sahiṣṇutā and Sthitaprajñatā. While Sahiṣṇutā is the fortitude to endure the dualities of emotion, Sthitaprajñatā is the inner state beyond endurance, where one is so deeply anchored in one’s deeper identity that one is free from the ravages of emotion.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa expands our perspective, reminding us of the eternal nature of Ātman, the spiritual True Self:

“The Self is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain.” (Bhagavad Gītā 2.20)

“All activities are carried out by the three modes of material nature. But in ignorance, the soul, deluded by false identification with the body, thinks of itself as the doer.” (Bhagavad Gītā 3.27)

Our True Self is eternal and free. It was never born and it never dies. The body, mind, and senses are perishable, bound by the workings of Prakṛti (material nature). A recognition of what is eternal and what is transient is the wisdom that frees one from attachment to emotions.

Attaining inner balance is the zenith of the Gītā’s teachings on resilience:

“Be equipoised in success and failure; this equanimity is called yoga.” (Bhagavad Gītā 2.48)

“One who is equipoised in happiness and distress is eligible for liberation.” (Bhagavad Gītā 2.15)

Śrī Kṛṣṇa describes Sthitaprajña — a person of steady wisdom — as follows:

“One whose mind remains unshaken by adversity, who does not seek excessive pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger is called a sage of steady wisdom.” (Bhagavad Gītā 2.56)

Cultivating unshaken equanimity entails the following:

1. Ascending The Resilience Ladder

Vyavasāya, Dhṛti, and Sahiṣṇutā are the aspects of resilience in action. These three steps must be climbed up to the point where equanimity can be seen as an achievable goal.

Consistently practice:

• Making decisions from clarity
• Staying calm in conflict
• Remaining centred in praise or criticism
• Responding, not reacting

2. Gaining Spiritual Knowledge

Sthitaprajñatā is resilience not as action, but inner steadiness, requiring a deep knowledge of the True self. From the perspective of Sanātana Dharma, receiving Jñāna (spiritual knowledge) is not merely an intellectual act but a sacred transmission that awakens the seeker to the eternal truths underlying existence.

This knowledge, whether received through spiritual texts, the guidance of a Guru, or an intuitive calling of the Ātman, must be realised through steady Sādhanā (spiritual practice) — like meditation, selfless action, Mantra-Japa (chanting), and inner contemplation. These practices purify the mind and align it with Dharma, allowing the received wisdom to mature into direct experience. As this maturation deepens, the seeker approaches the the state of steady wisdom described in the Bhagavad Gītā.

Thus, Sthitaprajñatā is the state in which one’s identity is established in the True Self, remaining unmoved by desire, doubt, or circumstance. This unshaken equanimity is the embodiment of true knowledge fulfilling the Sanātana Dharma ideal.

Conclusion

The wisdom of the Bhagavad Gītā is more than metaphysics; it is psychological medicine. Of these teachings, the concept of resilience is multi-faceted. Vyavasāya, Dhṛti, Sahiṣṇutā, and Sthitaprajñatā are the four pillars of the Gītā’s vision of Dhairya — the grounded, patient, unwavering courage we are called on to embody.

It can be summarised as follows:

• Determination: Dhairya signifies clarity of vision and resolve. All actions are led by purposeful decisions and disciplined action.
• Steadfastness: Dhairya implies fortitude and consistency. This entails persisting in effort towards goals despite life’s ‘ups and downs’.
• Endurance: Dhairya translates to sustained patience in difficult situations.This calls for emotional intelligence and self-regulation — the capacity to manage disruptive impulses and emotions.
• Equanimity: The pinnacle of Dhairya is the inner state of balance. When one realises that one’s True Self is eternal and everything seen and felt is passing, life’s storms lose their force.

This is the holistic model of resilience Arjuna discovers and which we are invited to cultivate.

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© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.

Sujata Khanna’s book, ‘The Eternal Law’, explores Sanātana Philosophy in its elemental form. Available on Amazon worldwide: India, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherland, Poland, Sweden, Japan

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