adveṣhṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva cha
nirmamo nirahankāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣhamī
adveṣhṭā — free from malice;
sarva-bhūtānām — toward all living beings;
maitraḥ — friendly;
karuṇaḥ — compassionate;
eva — indeed;
cha — and;
nirmamaḥ — free from attachment to possession;
nirahankāraḥ — free from egoism;
sama — equipoised;
duḥkha — distress;
sukhaḥ — happiness;
kṣhamī — forgiving;
In this verse, Krishna is explaining the special qualities of a true devotee, or someone who sincerely worships God. Let's break it down to understand it better.
1. **No Hatred**: A genuine devotee does not hate anyone. This means they do not hold grudges against people. Even when someone is unkind to them, they choose not to respond with hate. Instead of seeing enemies or people they dislike, they try to see everyone as human beings with their own struggles.
2. **Friendly and Compassionate**: They have a friendly nature and show compassion, which means they care about the well-being of others. For example, if someone is suffering, rather than being indifferent, they reach out to help. This caring attitude extends to all living beings, not just humans. It includes animals, plants, and all creatures.
3. **Free from Attachment**: This means they do not cling too tightly to material possessions or outcomes. They understand that material things are temporary and do not define them. For instance, if they lose a job or a possession, they accept it without falling apart, knowing that their true self is beyond these materials.
4. **No Egoism**: They don’t think too highly of themselves. A devotee doesn’t have the mindset that they are better than others. They are humble and see everyone as equally valuable. This helps them stay grounded and respectful towards others.
5. **Balanced in Pleasure and Pain**: A true devotee remains calm whether they are experiencing happiness or sadness. Imagine if you received good news (like passing an exam) or bad news (like losing a friend). A devotee would acknowledge their feelings without getting overly excited or depressed. They see both good and bad days as part of life and understand that both should be accepted.
6. **Forgiving**: If someone wrongs them, a devotee is quick to forgive. They realize that holding onto anger only hurts themselves. They believe everyone makes mistakes, including themselves, so they choose to let go and move forward.
7. **Endurance of Suffering**: The verse hints that true devotees understand suffering differently. They see their challenges and difficulties as opportunities to learn and grow. They believe that their current struggles are minor compared to what they might truly deserve due to past actions. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they thank the divine for reducing their suffering.
In essence, Krishna is teaching that being a devotee is not just about rituals or prayers but about having a deep and genuine attitude of love, care, patience, and understanding towards everyone and everything. When someone embodies these qualities, they truly connect with the divine and live a peaceful and fulfilling life, regardless of external circumstances.