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Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 12 | Verse 18

Chapter 12, Verse 18

Devotional Service

He who is the same to foe and friend, and also in honor and dishonor, who is the same in cold and heat, in pleasure and pain, and who is free from attachment.

Verse

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः।शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः।।12.18।।


samaḥ śhatrau cha mitre cha tathā mānāpamānayoḥ
śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣhu samaḥ saṅga-vivarjitaḥ

Meaning of each word

samaḥ — alike;
śhatrau — to a foe;
cha — and;
mitre — to a friend;
cha tathā — as well as;
māna-apamānayoḥ — in honor and dishonor;
śhīta-uṣhṇa — in cold and heat;
sukha-duḥkheṣhu — in joy and sorrow;
samaḥ — equipoised;
saṅga-vivarjitaḥ — free from all unfavorable association;

Interpretation

In this verse, Krishna talks about a person who is truly devoted and has strong qualities that make them wise and peaceful. This person treats everyone the same, whether they are friends or enemies. For example, if someone is nice to them, they respond nicely, and if someone is not nice, they still treat them with respect. They don’t let how others behave change their attitude.

The verse also mentions how this person stays calm and unbothered when faced with honor or dishonor. Whether they get praised or criticized, they remain steady. Imagine someone receiving a compliment for their hard work and then also facing harsh criticism for the same effort; a true devotee wouldn’t let either affect their mood too much.

Next, Krishna highlights how this person is unaffected by external situations. Whether it’s hot or cold weather, or whether they are feeling happy or sad, they maintain their calmness. They understand that these situations—like the weather or feelings—are temporary and part of life. For instance, if it’s a chilly day, they acknowledge that it’s just the weather and don’t let it ruin their day. If they are feeling joyful, they enjoy the moment but don’t cling to that happiness as if it is everything.

Being free from attachment is an important part of this balance. When someone is attached to something, they may become overly happy when they have it and very sad when it's gone. A devoted person knows not to get overly attached to material things or temporary feelings. They understand that life has ups and downs, and they don’t let these fluctuations disturb their peace of mind. Instead, they focus on their inner self and spiritual goals.

In essence, this verse teaches us to strive for a balanced and composed mind, regardless of what happens around us or how people treat us. It reminds us of the value of patience and staying focused on what truly matters in life, which is our spiritual journey and inner peace.

Other Verses of Chapter 12
Verse 1
Arjuna inquired: Which is considered to be more perfect: those who are properly engaged in Your devotional service, or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested?
Verse 2
The Blessed Lord said: He whose mind is fixed on My personal form, always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith, is considered by Me to be most perfect.
Verse 3
Those who worship the imperishable, the indefinable, the unmanifest, the omnipresent, the unthinkable, the immovable, and the eternal.
Verse 4
Having restrained all the senses, being even-minded everywhere, and intent on the welfare of all beings, they verily come unto Me.
Verse 5
For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.
Verse 6
But to those who worship Me, renouncing all actions in Me, regarding Me as the supreme goal, meditating on Me with single-minded yoga.
Verse 7
To those whose minds are set on Me, O Arjuna, verily I soon become the savior out of the ocean of Samsara.
Verse 8
Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.
Verse 9
My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulated principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way you will develop a desire to attain to Me.
Verse 10
If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.
Verse 11
If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.
Verse 12
If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind.
Verse 13
He who hates no creature, is friendly and compassionate to all, is free from attachment and egoism, is balanced in pleasure and pain, and is forgiving.
Verse 14
Ever content, steady in meditation, self-controlled, possessing firm conviction, with the mind and intellect dedicated to Me, he, My devotee, is dear to Me.
Verse 15
He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anxiety, who is steady in happiness and distress, is very dear to Me.
Verse 16
A devotee who is not dependant on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and who does not strive for some result, is very dear to Me.
Verse 17
One who neither grasps pleasure or grief, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things, is very dear to Me.
Verse 19
He to whom censure and praise are equal, who is silent, content with anything, homeless, of a steady mind, and full of devotion; that man is dear to me.
Verse 20
He who follows this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engages himself with faith, making Me the supreme goal, is very, very dear to Me.
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