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Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Character & ethicsChapter 12 · Devotional Service
12.1212.14

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.13

Qualities of a devotee dear to Krishna

Jīva · The soul

अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्र: करुण एव च ।

निर्ममो निरहङ्कार: समदु:खसुख: क्षमी ॥ १३ ॥

सन्तुष्ट: सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चय: ।

मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भ‍क्त: स मे प्रिय: ॥ १४ ॥

adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ

maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca

nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ

sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī

santuṣṭaḥ satataṁ yogī

yatātmā dṛḍha-niścayaḥ

mayy arpita-mano-buddhir

yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ

Translation

One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

A Devotee Dear to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    A devotee who is kind to all, free from envy and false ego, and steady in devotional service is very dear to Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee sees the Lord’s mercy even in hardship and remains calm, patient, and kind.

  3. 3

    Practice kindness toward everyone, even those who oppose you, and remain steady in devotional service.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 12.13–14

Takes all sufferings as Krishna’s kindness to avoid reaction

1

Tolerant — Never disturbed by any circumstances

2

Non-envious — Kind to everyone even to his enemy

Not become his enemies’ enemy – considers all reactions as result of one's past misdeeds (Ref. SB 10.14.8 “Tat te anukampa…”)

Takes distress as the Lord’s mercy: “I deserve much more”

3

‘Nirmama’ (Free from Proprietorship) — Devotee does not attach much importance to the pains and troubles of the body

Free from false-ego: Knows that “I am not the body”

Equipoised in happiness and distress

4

Satisfied — Whatever comes by Lord’s grace; does not over-endeavor to achieve something

5

Self-controlled/Completely perfect mystic — Because completely fixed in instructions of spiritual master

6

Determined because of Sense control — Therefore fully determined and cannot be swayed by false arguments

7

Mind and intelligence fixed entirely on the Supreme Lord — Because Fully conscious that Krishna is the eternal Lord

How it feels

Compassionate steadiness

Further reading

Qualities That Endear One To Krishna

Possessing divine qualities makes one dear to Krishna

One who faithfully follows the path of devotional service, making Krishna the supreme goal is very dear to Him

Chapter 12, section III: Qualities That Endear One To Krishna
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. adveṣṭānonenvious
  2. sarva-bhūtānāmtoward all living entities
  3. maitraḥfriendly
  4. karuṇaḥkindly
  5. evacertainly
  6. caalso
  7. nirmamaḥwith no sense of proprietorship
  8. nirahaṅkāraḥwithout false ego
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Divine character

    Kindness, humility, tolerance and determination characterize a dear devotee. ·

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make kindness and humility visible in a disagreement?

Practice

Choose a concrete act of kindness without expecting recognition.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 12 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 12.13-14The dear devotee is compassionate, humble, and free from envy.BG 16.1-3Divine qualities and Krishna’s reassuranceBG 16.5Arjuna is reassured
Live this todayFix Your Mind on KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 12.8, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction