Why Society Glorifies Suffering—And How the Gita Exposes This Toxic Mindset
Nidhi | Mar 18, 2025, 14:52 IST
( Image credit : Pexels )
Society often equates suffering with strength, glorifying struggle as a badge of honor. This article explores how the Bhagavad Gita challenges this mindset, offering profound lessons on true strength, inner peace, and why letting go of pain is not weakness but wisdom. Discover how the Gita redefines success and balance, guiding you toward a life where peace matters more than struggle.
"श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥"
(It is better to fail in one’s own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another. Better is death in one’s own dharma; the dharma of another brings fear.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 35
Ever caught yourself saying, "If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not worth it"? Or maybe you’ve proudly shared how little you’ve slept or how much stress you’ve endured, waiting for a nod of approval. We've been taught that suffering equals strength, that if you’re not breaking under the weight of life, you’re not really trying.
Think about it—when someone says they’re swamped with work, we respond with admiration: "Wow, you’re really working hard!" But if they say they’re relaxed and in control, it somehow sounds… lazy? This obsession with struggle has become so deeply ingrained that it feels unnatural to succeed without some emotional battle scars.
But the Bhagavad Gita calls this out. It tells us that strength isn’t about how much you suffer—it’s about how lightly you carry the weight of life. So why are we so hooked on the idea that pain equals progress? And more importantly—how can we let that go?
"दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमना: सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः।
वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते॥"
(He who is not disturbed by sorrow or elated by happiness, who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is said to be a sage of steady wisdom.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 56
We’ve glamorized suffering as proof of strength. Crying alone in the bathroom after a tough day at work? That’s commitment. Pushing through a toxic relationship because "love means sacrifice"? That’s loyalty. But the Gita teaches that true strength isn’t about enduring pain—it’s about staying balanced even when life tests you.
Strength isn’t surviving the storm—it’s learning to dance in the rain without drowning in it.
"यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥"
(When one withdraws the senses from sense objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs, his wisdom becomes steady.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 58
Why do we hold on to pain like it’s some kind of trophy? We stay in dead-end jobs and draining friendships because walking away feels like failure. But the Gita teaches that real wisdom comes from knowing when to retreat—just like a tortoise pulling back into its shell.
Letting go isn’t weakness; it’s the courage to stop feeding what’s already dying. It’s the strength to walk away from something that no longer serves you—even when society tells you to “stick it out.”
"न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्।
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः॥"
(No one can remain without action even for a moment; everyone is compelled to act according to the qualities of their nature.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 5
Hustle culture tells you that if you’re not constantly working, you’re falling behind. The 5 AM club, the "rise and grind" mentality—it’s all designed to make you feel like rest is weakness. But the Gita reminds us that action is inevitable—but burnout is not.
You can work hard without sacrificing yourself in the process. You don’t need to glorify exhaustion to succeed. Success isn’t about how tired you are—it’s about how intentional you are with your energy.
"समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः।
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः॥"
(One who remains even-minded in honor and dishonor, in heat and cold, and in happiness and distress, is truly detached.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 12, Verse 18
We’ve all done it—stayed in toxic situations longer than we should have, just to prove how strong we are. There’s a twisted sense of pride in saying, "I survived that." But the Gita reminds us that true peace comes from inner balance—not from proving yourself to others.
Validation rooted in suffering is fragile. If your self-worth comes from how much you can endure, you’ll always chase more pain just to feel enough. The Gita tells us to detach from that cycle—because you are enough as you are, no suffering required.
"सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ।
अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति॥"
(O Arjuna, now hear from Me about the threefold happiness. That which is derived from long practice and leads to the cessation of suffering is in the mode of goodness.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 36
Ever feel guilty for being happy? Like if things are going too well, something bad has to happen? We’ve been conditioned to believe that happiness needs to be earned through struggle. But the Gita teaches that joy isn’t the reward for suffering—it’s the natural state that arises when you let go of attachment and act with purpose.
You don’t need to suffer to deserve happiness. You just need to stop resisting it.
Society may celebrate suffering, but the Gita teaches that peace is the true flex. You don’t have to prove your strength by enduring pain. True strength is knowing when to let go. True peace is working toward your goals without tying your identity to the outcome.
Stop glorifying burnout. Stop using suffering as a measuring stick for success. You don’t need to break to prove your worth. You are not your pain. You are the calm that comes after you release it.
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥"
(It is better to fail in one’s own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another. Better is death in one’s own dharma; the dharma of another brings fear.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 35
Ever caught yourself saying, "If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not worth it"? Or maybe you’ve proudly shared how little you’ve slept or how much stress you’ve endured, waiting for a nod of approval. We've been taught that suffering equals strength, that if you’re not breaking under the weight of life, you’re not really trying.
Think about it—when someone says they’re swamped with work, we respond with admiration: "Wow, you’re really working hard!" But if they say they’re relaxed and in control, it somehow sounds… lazy? This obsession with struggle has become so deeply ingrained that it feels unnatural to succeed without some emotional battle scars.
But the Bhagavad Gita calls this out. It tells us that strength isn’t about how much you suffer—it’s about how lightly you carry the weight of life. So why are we so hooked on the idea that pain equals progress? And more importantly—how can we let that go?
1. Strength Isn’t About How Much You Suffer—It’s About How Calm You Stay
Prayers
( Image credit : Pexels )
वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते॥"
(He who is not disturbed by sorrow or elated by happiness, who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is said to be a sage of steady wisdom.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 56
We’ve glamorized suffering as proof of strength. Crying alone in the bathroom after a tough day at work? That’s commitment. Pushing through a toxic relationship because "love means sacrifice"? That’s loyalty. But the Gita teaches that true strength isn’t about enduring pain—it’s about staying balanced even when life tests you.
Strength isn’t surviving the storm—it’s learning to dance in the rain without drowning in it.
2. Letting Go of Pain Isn’t Weakness—It’s Wisdom
Suffering
( Image credit : Pexels )
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥"
(When one withdraws the senses from sense objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs, his wisdom becomes steady.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 58
Why do we hold on to pain like it’s some kind of trophy? We stay in dead-end jobs and draining friendships because walking away feels like failure. But the Gita teaches that real wisdom comes from knowing when to retreat—just like a tortoise pulling back into its shell.
Letting go isn’t weakness; it’s the courage to stop feeding what’s already dying. It’s the strength to walk away from something that no longer serves you—even when society tells you to “stick it out.”
3. Hustle Culture Thrives on Your Burnout—Stop Feeding It
Hustle Culture
( Image credit : Pexels )
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः॥"
(No one can remain without action even for a moment; everyone is compelled to act according to the qualities of their nature.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 5
Hustle culture tells you that if you’re not constantly working, you’re falling behind. The 5 AM club, the "rise and grind" mentality—it’s all designed to make you feel like rest is weakness. But the Gita reminds us that action is inevitable—but burnout is not.
You can work hard without sacrificing yourself in the process. You don’t need to glorify exhaustion to succeed. Success isn’t about how tired you are—it’s about how intentional you are with your energy.
4. Seeking Validation Through Suffering? You’re Not Alone.
Validation
( Image credit : Pexels )
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः॥"
(One who remains even-minded in honor and dishonor, in heat and cold, and in happiness and distress, is truly detached.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 12, Verse 18
We’ve all done it—stayed in toxic situations longer than we should have, just to prove how strong we are. There’s a twisted sense of pride in saying, "I survived that." But the Gita reminds us that true peace comes from inner balance—not from proving yourself to others.
Validation rooted in suffering is fragile. If your self-worth comes from how much you can endure, you’ll always chase more pain just to feel enough. The Gita tells us to detach from that cycle—because you are enough as you are, no suffering required.
5. Joy Without Suffering Isn’t Cheating—It’s Freedom
Fun
( Image credit : Pexels )
अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति॥"
(O Arjuna, now hear from Me about the threefold happiness. That which is derived from long practice and leads to the cessation of suffering is in the mode of goodness.)
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 36
Ever feel guilty for being happy? Like if things are going too well, something bad has to happen? We’ve been conditioned to believe that happiness needs to be earned through struggle. But the Gita teaches that joy isn’t the reward for suffering—it’s the natural state that arises when you let go of attachment and act with purpose.
You don’t need to suffer to deserve happiness. You just need to stop resisting it.
The Gita’s Wake-Up Call: You Are Not Your Pain
Stop glorifying burnout. Stop using suffering as a measuring stick for success. You don’t need to break to prove your worth. You are not your pain. You are the calm that comes after you release it.