In Bhagavad Gita 12.17, Krishna says that one who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor craves, and has renounced both good and evil, full of devotion, is dear to him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि
न शोचति न काङ्क्षति
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी
भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः ॥ १२-१७ ॥
yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi
na śocati na kāṅkṣati
śubhāśubhaparityāgī
bhaktimānyaḥ sa me priyaḥ
English transliteration yo na hrishyati na dveshti
na shochati na kaankshati
shubhaashubhaparityaagee
bhaktimaanyah sa me priyah ॥ 12.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor desires, who has renounced both good and evil, and is full of devotion, is dear to Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यः yaḥ | who |
| न na | not |
| हृष्यति hṛṣyati | rejoices |
| न na | not |
| द्वेष्टि dveṣṭi | hates |
| न na | not |
| शोचति śocati | grieves |
| न na | not |
| काङ्क्षति kāṅkṣati | desires |
| शुभाशुभपरित्यागी śubhāśubhaparityāgī | who has renounced good and evil śubha (good) + aśubha (evil) + parityāgī (renouncing) |
| भक्तिमान् bhaktimān | full of devotion |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| सः saḥ | he |
| मे me | to Me |
| प्रियः priyaḥ | dear |
Word-wise Chanting
- yo na hṛṣ–ya–ti na dveṣ–ṭi 8 syllables yo na hrish-ya-ti na dvesh-ti
- na śo–ca–ti na kāṅ–kṣa–ti | 8 syllables na sho-cha-ti na kaan-ksha-ti
- śu–bhā–śu–bha–pa–rit–yā–gī 8 syllables shu-bhaa-shu-bha-pa-rit-yaa-gee
- bhak–ti–mān–yaḥ sa me pri–yaḥ || 12-17 8 syllables bhak-ti-maan-yah sa me pri-yah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 12 Verse 17
Context
The description of the dear devotee continues (12.13–12.20).
Meaning
The devotee is not swept by excitement or hatred, grief or craving. They have renounced the pairs śubha and aśubha, the pleasant and unpleasant, or the binding merits and demerits of action. Their heart is full of devotion, not of reactions.
This does not mean the devotee feels nothing. It means they are not driven by the swings of like and dislike. Devotion fills the space that reactions used to occupy.
In Practice
Notice a strong reaction today, and gently replace it with a moment of remembrance of the Divine.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.