Bhakti Yoga · Verse 17

Bhagavad Gita 12.17

Devotion becomes steady when liking and disliking no longer rule the heart.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति ।
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्ितमान्यः स मे प्रियः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो न कभी हर्षित होता है, न द्वेष करता है, न शोक करता है, न कामना करता है और जो शुभअशुभ कर्मोंमें रागद्वेषका त्यागी है, वह भक्तिमान् मनुष्य मुझे प्रिय है ॥
English
One who neither rejoices, hates, grieves, nor craves, and who has given up attachment to both good and bad actions, is dear to me.

What this verse means

A devoted person stays free from excitement, hatred, sorrow, and craving. They do not cling to outcomes or label actions as personally theirs.

Context & commentary

Krishna is still speaking on the battlefield to Arjuna, who is frozen by grief and conflict. After describing the qualities of a beloved devotee, he adds another: the person who no longer swings between liking and disliking, and who has dropped attachment to both good and bad action.

Why this verse still matters

You read a message that praises your work and another that criticizes it. If your mood rises and crashes with each one, you are still captive. This verse points to steadiness that does not depend on applause.

The takeaway

There is relief in not having to chase or resist every feeling.

Word-by-word translation

यः (who) / न (not) / हृष्यति (rejoices) / न (not) / द्वेष्टि (hates) / न (not) / शोचति (grieves) / न (not) / काङ्क्षति (craves) / शुभाशुभपरित्यागी (one who has abandoned good-and-bad attachment) / भक्तिमान् (devoted) / यः (one who) / सः (that one) / मे (to me) / प्रियः (dear)

Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses), vairagya (51 verses), equanimity (23 verses)

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