Gita 12.16
अनपेक्ष: शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथ: |
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्त: स मे प्रिय: || 16||
anapekṣhaḥ śhuchir dakṣha udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ
sarvārambha-parityāgī yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
In this verse, Shree Krishna describes the qualities of devotees who are very dear to Him. They are characterized by several key virtues.
Indifference to Worldly Gains: For a very poor person, losing or gaining $100 can be a matter of great importance, affecting their daily life and well-being. In contrast, a multi-billionaire views such a small amount as trivial and hardly gives it any thought. Devotees, on the other hand, possess the greatest treasure—divine love for God—which they regard as the highest and most valuable possession. They prioritize loving service to God above all else, which makes them indifferent to worldly gains and losses.
Purity (External and Internal): Since their minds are continually focused on all-pure God, devotees naturally become internally purified from flaws such as lust, anger, greed, envy, and ego. This internal cleansing leads them to value purity in their external surroundings as well. In line with the old adage, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” they strive to keep both their bodies and their environment clean and pure.
Skillfulness: Devotees approach all tasks as opportunities to serve God, performing their duties with care, attention, and excellence. This attitude not only serves their spiritual purpose but also makes them skillful in their actions, demonstrating competence and dedication.
Freedom from Cares: Devotees possess unwavering faith that God protects and sustains them in accordance with their surrender. This faith grants them a sense of peace and freedom from anxieties, as they trust in divine support rather than their own efforts alone.
Untroubled Nature : By surrendering to God's will and doing their best in every endeavor, devotees accept the outcomes with equanimity. Thus, whatever the outcome, they remain untroubled, subjugating their will to the divine will.
Absence of Selfishness: Their attitude of service to God and others helps them rise above petty selfishness. Their actions are motivated by love and devotion.
Gita 12.17
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ् क्षति |
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्य: स मे प्रिय: || 17||
yo na hṛiṣhyati na dveṣhṭi na śhochati na kāṅkṣhati
śhubhāśhubha-parityāgī bhaktimān yaḥ sa me priyaḥ
They do not delight in worldly pleasures nor become overwhelmed by worldly sorrows.
For example, when we are in darkness and someone offers us a lamp, we naturally feel joy. Conversely, if someone extinguishes that lamp, we may feel annoyed. However, if we are standing under the bright midday sun, whether someone shows us a lamp or blows it out makes little difference to us.
Similarly, devotees of God, fulfilled by the bliss of divine love for God, rise above both pleasure and despair, remaining unaffected by worldly ups and downs.
Devotees neither mourn over any loss nor desire any gain.
They do not seek out pleasurable worldly situations nor do they become distressed in unpleasant circumstances. As stated in the Nārad Bhakti Darśhan:
“yatprāpya na kiñchidvāñchhati, na śhochati, na dveṣhṭi, na ramate, notsāhi bhavati” (Sūtra 5),
“Upon attaining divine love for God, they neither yearn for pleasurable things nor grieve when they are lost. They harbour no hatred toward those who cause them harm. They have no attachment to worldly enjoyments. They are not anxious for their material status to improve.”
Since devotees find their true bliss in loving God, the pleasures of material objects appear insignificant and fleeting in comparison.
Devotees renounce both good and evil actions.
They clearly abstain from evil actions (vikarm), as these go against their nature and displease God. The "good actions" referred to by Shree Krishna are the prescribed ritualistic duties (karm) outlined in the scriptures. However, all actions performed by devotees become akarm (inaction) because they are carried out without selfish motives and are dedicated entirely to God.
Filled with devotion.
Bhaktimān means “one who is immersed in devotion.” The nature of divine love is such that it continues to grow endlessly over time. Bhakti poets have expressed this beautifully:
"prem meñ pūrṇimā nahīñ," meaning “Unlike the moon, which waxes to a limit and then wanes, divine love keeps expanding without end.”
As a result, the heart of a devotee is like an ocean of love for God. Shree Krishna states that such devoted souls are very dear to Him.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita [English]- 21.6.2025
