सम: शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयो: | शीतोष्णसुखदु:खेषु सम: सङ्गविवर्जित: || 18 || तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् | अनिकेत: स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नर: || 19 || |
|---|
in heat and cold, pleasure and pain, and who is free from attachment,
who remains unaffected by praise or blame, who is silent, content with anything,
steady-minded, and full of devotion, that person is dear to me.”
Lord Krishna describes the qualities of a beloved devotee who is dear to Him. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining equanimity amidst various dualities and challenges in life.
The term “samaḥ” signifies being equal-minded or impartial. The devotee remains balanced and unaffected by external circumstances, treating friend and foe, honor and dishonor, with equanimity.
The devotee remains unaffected by the pairs of opposites, such as heat and cold, pleasure and pain. Regardless of the external conditions, the devotee’s inner state remains steady and unaffected.
The devotee is described as “sanga-vivarjitaḥ,” free from attachment. He is not swayed by praise or blame and remain unaffected by the opinions or judgments of others.
The devotee practices silence (mauni) and is content (santuṣhṭa) with whatever comes their way. They are not attached to any particular place or possessions (aniketaḥ).
Additionally, the devotee possesses a steady and focused mind (sthiramatiḥ) and is full of devotion (bhaktimān).
This verse emphasizes the importance of cultivating qualities such as equanimity, contentment, non-attachment, and devotion. By embodying these qualities, one becomes dear to the Lord and attains spiritual growth and inner peace.