The True Devotee
13. advesta sarvabhutanam
maitrah karuna eva ca
nirnnamo nirahamkdrah
samaduhkhasukhah ksami
(13) He who has no ill will to any being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from egoism and self-sense, even-minded in pain and pleasure and patient.
14. samtustah satatam yogi
yatatma drdhaniscayah
mayy arpltamanobuddhir
yo madbhaktah sa me priyah
(14) The Yogi who is ever content, self-controlled, unshakable in determination, with mind and understanding given up to Me he, My devotee, is dear to Me. In these verses the Gita mentions the qualities of a true devotee, freedom of spirit, friendliness to all, patience and tranquillity.
15. yasman no 'dvijate loko
lokan no 'dvijate ca yah
harsamarsabhayodvegair
mukto yah sa ca me priyah
(15) He from whom the world does not shrink and who does not shrink from the world and who is free from joy and anger, fear and agitation, he too is dear to Me. He is not a source of grief to any ; no one can make him feel grief.
16. anapeksah sucir daksa
udasino gatavyathah
sarvarambhaparityags
yo madbhaktah sa me priyah
(i6) He who has no expectation, is pure, skillful in action, unconcerned, and untroubled, who has given up all initiative (in action), he, My devotee, is dear to Me. He renounces the fruits of all his actions. His acts are skilled, daksa, pure and passionless He does not lose himself in reverie or dream but knows his way in the world.
17. yo na hrsyati na dvesti
na socati na sanksati
subha. ubhaparityagi
bhaktiman yah sa me priyah
(17) He who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor desires, and who has renounced good and evil, he who is thus devoted is dear to Me.
18. samah .satrau ca mitre ea
tatha manapamanayoh
sitosnasukhaduhkhesu
amah sangavivarjitah
(18) He who (behaves) alike to foe and friend, also to good and evil repute and who is alike in cold and heat, pleasure and pain and who is free from attachment samah satrau ca mitre ca. Cp. Jesus. "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust "[1]
19. Lulyanindastutir mauni
samtusto yena kenacit
amketah sthiramatir
bhaktiman me priyo narah
(19) He who holds equal blame and praise, who is silent (restrained in speech), content with anything (that comes), who has no fixed abode and is firm in mind, that man who is devoted is dear to Me aniketah: no fixed abode, homeless. Though he fulfils all social duties, he is not tied to any family or home As these souls exist, not for this family or that social group but live for mankind as a whole, they do not have a settled home. They are free to move wherever their inspiration takes them. They are not chained to one place or confined to one community They are not tied to the past or obliged to defend an unchangeable authority The welfare of humanity as a whole is their constant concern. These samnyasins may appear in any social group. Cp. M.B.: "He who is clothed with anything, who is fed on any food, who lies down anywhere him the gods call a Brahmin. "[2]
