अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्ितमान्मे प्रियो नरः ॥
Equal in praise and blame, silent, content with whatever comes, homeless, steady-minded—the devoted person is dear to me.
A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Praise and blame lose power over the one who stands steady.”
Equal in praise and blame, silent, content with whatever comes, homeless, steady-minded—the devoted person is dear to me.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallyequal · blame · praise · silent · content · by whatever means · without a home · steady-minded · devoted · to me · dear · person
A devoted person stays steady through praise and blame, remains quiet, accepts whatever comes, feels no possessiveness about home, and keeps a firm mind.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Bhakti Yoga" (The Yoga of Devotion).
Verse 19 sits in Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita — Bhakti Yoga, "The Yoga of Devotion". The chapter has 20 verses in total.
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.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts attention from managing approval to holding inner steadiness in every response.
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.
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.
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.
“Real devotion looks calm, unshaken, and unneedy.”
Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses)