Chapter 9 Verse 29
Rāja Vidyā Yog
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः। ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम्।।9.29।।
samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣhu na me dveṣhyo ’sti na priyaḥ ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā mayi te teṣhu chāpyaham
Word Meanings
| samaḥ | equally disposed |
| aham | I |
| sarva-bhūteṣhu | to all living beings |
| na | no one |
| me | to me |
| dveṣhyaḥ | inimical |
| asti | is |
| na | not |
| priyaḥ | dear |
| ye | who |
| bhajanti | worship with love |
| tu | but |
| mām | me |
| bhaktyā | with devotion |
| mayi | reside in me |
| te | such persons |
| teṣhu | in them |
| cha | and |
| api | also |
| aham | I |
Translation
I am the same to all beings; there is none hateful or dear to Me; but those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am also in them.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The verse says the Divine is equally present in every living being and holds no hatred or favoritism. God’s attitude is impartial: no one is inherently dearer or more hated.
At the same time, those who worship with sincere devotion develop an inner union with the Divine. Devotion does not make God biased; it opens a personal relationship where the devotee and the Divine dwell in each other.
This teaches both transcendence (God beyond preferences) and immanence (God within devotees), pointing to a spiritual reality that is both universal and personally accessible.
Life Application
- Notice the divine presence in people you meet; this helps reduce anger, favoritism, and judgment in daily life.
- Practice a simple devotional habit (short prayer, remembrance, or service) to feel connected and guided rather than distant from the Divine.
- Let devotion move you to loving action: serve others without seeking reward, seeing service as connection with the Divine within them.
Reflection Question
How would your treatment of others change if you truly felt the Divine was equally present in every person?