Chapter 6 Verse 9
Dhyān Yog
सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु। साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते।।6.9।।
suhṛin-mitrāryudāsīna-madhyastha-dveṣhya-bandhuṣhu sādhuṣhvapi cha pāpeṣhu sama-buddhir viśhiṣhyate
Word Meanings
| su-hṛit | toward the well-wishers |
| mitra | friends |
| ari | enemies |
| udāsīna | neutral persons |
| madhya-stha | mediators |
| dveṣhya | the envious |
| bandhuṣhu | relatives |
| sādhuṣhu | pious |
| api | as well as |
| cha | and |
| pāpeṣhu | the sinners |
| sama-buddhiḥ | of impartial intellect |
| viśhiṣhyate | is distinguished |
Translation
He who is of the same mind towards the good-hearted, friends, enemies, the indifferent, the neutral, the hateful, the relatives, the righteous, and the unrighteous, excels.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse praises a mind that stays steady and equal toward all kinds of people — friends or enemies, those who care or those who are indifferent, the good and the bad. "Same mind" means not being ruled by liking, disliking, praise, or blame.
Spiritually, such impartiality comes from understanding the shared nature beneath surface differences. It is not cold indifference, but a balanced view that sees actions and personalities without getting lost in them.
A person who lives with this balanced mind is free from constant emotional turmoil. They can act with clarity, compassion, and duty, rather than being pushed around by attachment or anger.
Life Application
- When you feel a strong like or dislike, pause and breathe before reacting; choose a calm, fair response.
- Treat people by principles (honesty, respect, fairness) rather than by labels or past judgments.
- Build small daily habits (brief reflection, mindful breathing) to steady your reactions and strengthen even-mindedness.
Reflection Question
Who today can I treat with the same calm and fairness I offer my closest friend?