yasmān nodvijate loko lokān nodvijate cha yaḥ
harṣhāmarṣha-bhayodvegair mukto yaḥ sa cha me priyaḥ
yasmāt — by whom;
na — not;
udvijate — are agitated;
lokaḥ — people;
lokāt — from people;
na — not;
udvijate — are disturbed;
cha — and;
yaḥ — who;
harṣha — pleasure;
amarṣha — pain;
bhaya — fear;
udvegaiḥ — anxiety;
muktaḥ — freed;
yaḥ — who;
saḥ — they;
cha — and;
me — to me;
priyaḥ — very dear
This verse talks about what makes a true devotee special and beloved in the eyes of the Lord. It starts by saying that a devotee does not cause trouble or difficulty to anyone else. This means that they are kind and considerate, trying not to upset others or make their lives harder.
For example, imagine a person who always helps others, whether it’s a friend who needs support or a stranger having a tough day. This person would not want to be the reason anyone feels anxious, scared, or sad.
On the flip side, even if someone tries to upset or annoy the devotee, they remain calm and does not let it affect them. This shows a profound strength; it’s like being in a storm but not getting blown away. A devotee has learned to stay steady and peaceful, regardless of what’s happening around them. This calmness comes from their deep faith and connection with God, which gives them a sense of security and inner peace.
The verse also highlights how a devotee reacts differently compared to an ordinary person. Typically, someone heavily attached to the material world feels good when things go their way and enjoy nice things, but they can quickly become sad or envious when they see others having what they want. They may also live in fear of losing something or feel down when faced with failure.
In contrast, the devotee rises above these feelings. Whether they face good times (like achievements or happiness) or bad times (like failures or sadness), they remain steady and focused on their devotion. This stability is not just a reaction to situations but a deep-rooted nature that makes them resilient against emotional ups and downs.
Ultimately, this quality of being non-disturbing to others and remaining unshaken by personal troubles makes this devotee very dear to God. It shows a standard of love and compassion that is rare and precious. By embodying these traits, a devotee becomes a kind-hearted person, genuinely caring for the well-being of others while maintaining peace within themselves.