Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Character & ethicsChapter 12 · Devotional Service

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.14

The qualities of a devotee dear to Krishna

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.

A Devotee Dear to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1A satisfied, self-controlled devotee who serves with determination, fixing mind and intelligence on Kṛṣṇa, is very dear to Him.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee sees the Lord’s mercy even in difficulties and remains calm, patient, and kind to everyone.
  3. 3Follow the principles of devotional service, control your senses, and remain steady in the spiritual master’s instructions.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 12, Devotional Service: the qualities of a devotee dear to krishna.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Cultivate divine qualities in character.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Divine character

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

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 12.14 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?

Practice

Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.

4

The story behind it

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

All stories for chapter 12 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 12.14 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.