Chapter 12 Verse 17
Bhakti Yog
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति।शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्ितमान्यः स मे प्रियः।।12.17।।
yo na hṛiṣhyati na dveṣhṭi na śhochati na kāṅkṣhati śhubhāśhubha-parityāgī bhaktimān yaḥ sa me priyaḥ
Word Meanings
| yaḥ | who |
| na | neither |
| hṛiṣhyati | rejoice |
| na | nor |
| dveṣhṭi | despair |
| na | neither |
| śhochati | lament |
| na | nor |
| kāṅkṣhati | hanker for gain |
| śhubha-aśhubha-parityāgī | who renounce both good and evil deeds |
| bhakti-mān | full of devotion |
| yaḥ | who |
| saḥ | that person |
| me | to me |
| priyaḥ | very dear |
Translation
He who neither rejoices nor hates, nor grieves nor desires, renouncing both good and evil, and who is full of devotion, is dear to Me.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse praises a person who stays steady of mind in all situations. They do not get carried away by joy or dragged down by hatred, grief, or craving. Such calmness comes from letting go of attachment to results and judgments of what is good or bad.
Renouncing "good and evil" here means not clinging to praise or avoiding blame, not that one stops doing right. It means acting from a place of inner balance and devotion, so action is not driven by personal gain or fear.
Being "full of devotion" is the heart of this state. True devotion steadies the mind and keeps one connected to a larger purpose, making equanimity natural rather than forced.
Life Application
- Pause before reacting: take a few breaths when you feel strong liking or disliking, and choose a calm response instead of an impulse.
- Do your duty without over-attachment to outcomes: focus on honest effort and let results unfold.
- Build steady devotion: a short daily practice (prayer, meditation, mindful service) helps maintain inner balance through life’s highs and lows.
Reflection Question
When did a recent success or failure move you strongly, and how would you respond if you stayed quietly devoted instead?