Bhagavad Gita 12.13-14 Meaning in English: Qualities of a Dear Devotee

What kind of person is dear to God? Many people expect an answer full of rituals or titles. Krishna's answer in Chapter 12 is surprisingly down to earth: he describes a person with a kind heart and a steady mind. Verses 13 and 14 begin this beautiful list.

Here are the two verses, with a simple English meaning and ideas for daily life.

The verses (Bhagavad Gita 12.13-14)

Word-by-word meaning

• adveṣṭā: one who hates none
• sarva-bhūtānām: toward all beings
• maitraḥ: friendly
• karuṇaḥ: compassionate
• nirmamaḥ: without the feeling of "mine", not possessive
• nirahaṅkāraḥ: without ego
• sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ: equal in pain and pleasure
• kṣamī: forgiving, patient
• santuṣṭaḥ: content
• satatam: always
• yogī: one who is steady in discipline
• yata-ātmā: self-controlled
• dṛḍha-niścayaḥ: firm in resolve
• mayi arpita-manaḥ-buddhiḥ: one who has offered mind and intellect to Me
• mad-bhaktaḥ: My devotee
• me priyaḥ: dear to Me

Where do these verses come from?

Chapter 12 begins with Arjuna's question: who is better, those who worship God with form and devotion, or those who meditate on the formless? Krishna explains that both paths reach him, but that the path of devotion is easier for most people. Then, from verse 13 to 19, he describes the qualities of the devotee he loves. The verses give us a picture not of an outer show, but of an inner character.

What the verses really say

• No hatred. The first quality is the absence of dislike toward any being. It does not say we must agree with everyone, but that we do not keep hatred inside.
• Friendliness and compassion. Maitra and karuṇa go together: to be a friend to those who are happy, and to feel for those who suffer.
• Less "mine" and less ego. Holding things and status too tightly causes much sorrow. A devotee holds lightly.
• Balance. Equal in pain and pleasure does not mean feeling nothing. It means not being thrown around completely by either.
• Forgiveness. Kṣamī is the ability to let go of an offence without bitterness.
• Contentment and firmness. A satisfied heart and a settled resolve give the person a steady centre.
• Offered mind and intellect. All of these qualities are rooted in devotion, in the habit of offering one's thoughts and decisions to God.

Three common misunderstandings

1. "No hatred means I must tolerate anything." Not so. You can be firm, set boundaries and say no to wrong. The verse is about the heart not being filled with hatred.
2. "Balance means I should never cry or celebrate." Feelings are natural. The verse speaks of not being ruled by them.
3. "These qualities are only for saints." Krishna describes a direction to walk in, and everyone can take small steps toward it. Each day we can practise a little more patience and a little less pride.

How to apply it in daily life

• When angry at someone: pause and ask, "Can I hold my view without hating this person?"
• Be a friend first. Greet, help and listen, especially to someone who is having a hard time.
• Practise forgiveness in small things. Let one small thing go today: a careless word, a late reply.
• Hold your belongings lightly. Enjoy what you have, but remember it was given to you for a time.
• At night: think of one moment you stayed calm and one you did not. Be kind to yourself and try again tomorrow.

Read the whole Gita in simple English

These verses are part of a long list in Chapter 12. If you want to read the full Bhagavad Gita with each Sanskrit shloka and a simple English meaning, the Satvik Setu English bundle has it: 14 books plus 2 bonus items, written in plain English, with Sanskrit shlokas and English meanings, and all 700 Gita shlokas. You can read a free sample first: Gita Chapter 12 free sample (PDF).

In short

In Gita 12.13-14 Krishna describes the devotee dear to him: a person without hatred, friendly, compassionate, forgiving, content and balanced, with a mind and heart offered to God. These are qualities that all of us can practise, one small step at a time.