Interpretation

The gunatita's equanimity is total and concrete, not merely philosophical. Equal in pleasure and pain — not suppressing either, but not being destabilized by either. Svastha — dwelling in the Self — this compound literally means 'established in one's own Self.' A clod of earth, a stone, and gold are all the same to such a person — not because they cannot distinguish them, but because attachment to material distinctions has dissolved. Praise and blame, pleasant and unpleasant people — all meet the same stable, loving awareness.