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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
12.1612.18

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.17

The qualities of a devotee dear to Krishna

Jīva · The soul

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्‍क्षति ।

श‍ुभाश‍ुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्य: स मे प्रिय: ॥ १७ ॥

yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi

na śocati na kāṅkṣati

śubhāśubha-parityāgī

bhaktimān yaḥ sa me priyaḥ

Translation

One who neither rejoices nor grieves, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things – such a devotee 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

Very Dear to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    A devotee who neither rejoices nor grieves, neither laments nor desires, and gives up both auspicious and inauspicious things is very dear to Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee stays steady through material gain and loss and accepts risks to satisfy the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    Keep serving Kṛṣṇa even when you lose something dear or do not get what you want.

Key points from the purport

Unaffected by material emotions

16

Neither rejoices nor grieves over material gain or loss

17

Neither laments nor desires — Not anxious to get a son or a disciple / Not laments by not getting them

18

Transcendental in face of all kinds of auspicious, inauspicious and sinful acts

Prepare to accept all kinds of risks for Lord’s satisfaction

Nothing is an impediment in the discharge of devotional service

Bhaktiman (devotee) – The essential quality from which all other qualities appear

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. yaḥone who
  2. nanever
  3. hṛṣyatitakes pleasure
  4. nanever
  5. dveṣṭigrieves
  6. nanever
  7. śocatilaments
  8. nanever
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: daivī-sampat, dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 12.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?

Practice

Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 12.13Qualities of a devotee dear to KrishnaBG 12.14The qualities of a devotee dear to KrishnaBG 16.21Lust, anger and greed lead toward degradation.
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
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