Sacred verse

Bhagavad Gita 12.19BG 12.19 · Chapter 12, Verse 19

Bhakti Yoga · Verse 19

A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps

Praise and blame lose power over the one who stands steady.

The verse
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येनकेनचित्
अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्ितमान्मे प्रियो नरः

Equal in praise and blame, silent, content with whatever comes, homeless, steady-minded—the devoted person is dear to me.

Krishna
Bhagavad Gita · 12.19
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो शत्रु और मित्रमें तथा मानअपमानमें सम है और शीतउष्ण अनुकूलताप्रतिकूलता तथा सुखदुःखमें सम है एवं आसक्तिसे रहित है, और जो निन्दास्तुतिको समान समझनेवाला, मननशील, जिसकिसी प्रकारसे भी शरीरका निर्वाह होनेमें संतुष्ट, रहनेके स्थान तथा शरीरमें ममताआसक्तिसे रहित और स्थिर बुद्धिवाला है, वह भक्तिमान् मनुष्य मुझे प्रिय है ॥
Word by word

The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.

तुल्यequalनिन्दाblameस्तुतिpraiseमौनीsilentसन्तुष्टःcontentयेनकेनचित्by whatever meansअनिकेतःwithout a homeस्थिरमतिःsteady-mindedभक्तिमान्devotedमेto meप्रियःdearनरःperson

Read literallyequal · blame · praise · silent · content · by whatever means · without a home · steady-minded · devoted · to me · dear · person

Understanding the verse

It shifts attention from managing approval to holding inner steadiness in every response.

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In plain words

What this verse means

A devoted person stays steady through praise and blame, remains quiet, accepts whatever comes, feels no possessiveness about home, and keeps a firm mind.

On the battlefield

Context & commentary

On the battlefield at Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still trapped in fear and grief. Krishna describes the devotee who has become inwardly steady: unmoved by praise or blame, free from clinging, and content with whatever life provides.

In your life

Why this verse still matters

You post something vulnerable, then watch the comments. Praise inflates, criticism stings, and your day tilts. This verse asks for a steadier center than public reaction.

The takeaway

Real devotion looks calm, unshaken, and unneedy.

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Arjuna asking Krishna about the path of devotion — Bhakti Yoga
Chapter 12 · The Yoga of Devotion
Bhakti Yoga
20 verses
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Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses)

Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 12.19 mean?

A devoted person stays steady through praise and blame, remains quiet, accepts whatever comes, feels no possessiveness about home, and keeps a firm mind.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 12.19?

Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Bhakti Yoga" (The Yoga of Devotion).

Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 12.19?

Verse 19 sits in Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita — Bhakti Yoga, "The Yoga of Devotion". The chapter has 20 verses in total.

Why does Bhagavad Gita 12.19 matter today?

You post something vulnerable, then watch the comments. Praise inflates, criticism stings, and your day tilts. This verse asks for a steadier center than public reaction.

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