santuṣhṭaḥ satataṁ yogī yatātmā dṛiḍha-niśhchayaḥ
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
santuṣhṭaḥ — contented;
satatam — steadily;
yogī — united in devotion;
yata-ātmā — self-controlled;
dṛiḍha-niśhchayaḥ — firm in conviction;
mayi — to me;
arpita — dedicated;
manaḥ — mind;
buddhiḥ — intellect;
yaḥ — who;
mat-bhaktaḥ — my devotees;
saḥ — they;
me — to me;
priyaḥ — very dear
In this verse, Krishna is describing the qualities that make a true devotee special and cherished by him. Let's break this down into simpler parts.
1. **Contentment:** A true devotee is someone who feels satisfied and happy with what they have. They are not constantly searching for more things or getting upset because they don’t have certain material possessions. For example, if someone has a simple life but is happy with their family and health, they embody this quality.
2. **Steady in Meditation:** This means the devotee regularly spends time in meditation or prayer and does not get easily distracted. They create a routine where they connect with Krishna, and this helps them maintain focus and peace in their lives.
3. **Self-Controlled:** This refers to the ability to control one’s desires and impulses. Instead of giving in to temptations (like unhealthy food or bad habits), a self-controlled person makes choices that align with their values and spiritual practices. It’s like training yourself to choose what is good for you, rather than what feels good in the moment.
4. **Firm Conviction:** A devotee believes strongly in Krishna and the teachings they have learned from their spiritual guide. This belief keeps them steady in tough times, preventing doubts from shaking their faith. It’s similar to how a student trusts their teacher’s guidance while preparing for an exam.
5. **Mind and Intellect Dedicated to Krishna:** This means that everything they think about and how they make decisions revolves around their devotion to Krishna. They use their mind to think of ways to serve him and their intellect to understand life from a spiritual perspective. This focus helps them stay aligned with their spiritual goals.
6. **Undisturbed:** A devotee remains calm and peaceful regardless of life’s ups and downs. When bad things happen, instead of panicking, they keep their focus on Krishna and trust that everything will work out. Imagine someone who loses a job but remains hopeful and continues to pray, believing that this challenge is simply a stepping stone to something better.
Krishna emphasizes that these qualities are not easy to develop, but they make a person very dear to him. It requires effort and commitment to practice self-control, stay focused, and cultivate a deep connection to Krishna. When someone sincerely works towards this level of devotion, Krishna feels joy in their existence and activities.
In short, a true devotee is someone who is happy with their life, focuses on spiritual growth, keeps their emotions in check, and is committed to their beliefs and love for Krishna. Such a person holds a special place in Krishna's heart.