MARKS OF A TRUE DEVOTEE (FROM BHAGAVADGITA)
The Gita, along with the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras, embodies the flights of spiritual thought and
philosophy of the seers of ancient India. It
contains the essence of the
practical philosophy of the Upanashads in language more easily comprehended
than that used in the latter. It is wrong to call it the scriptural text of
the Hindus only. The message of the Gita is
relevant for all times and for all
humanity. Sage Vedavyasa has embedded this treasure in
the heart of Mahabharata, the geat epic poem written by him. It has been appreciated and acclaimed by the
great thinkers and philosophers of the World and translated into the major
world languages. It is strange that this
great sermon was delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the most unusual of
settings, the battlefield of Kurukshetra
where the Pandava and Kaurava armies were facing each other and Arjuna’s
chariot, with Krishna as the charioteer, was stationed right in the middle of
the two armies.
philosophy of the seers of ancient India. It
contains the essence of the
practical philosophy of the Upanashads in language more easily comprehended
than that used in the latter. It is wrong to call it the scriptural text of
the Hindus only. The message of the Gita is
relevant for all times and for all
humanity. Sage Vedavyasa has embedded this treasure in
the heart of Mahabharata, the geat epic poem written by him. It has been appreciated and acclaimed by the
great thinkers and philosophers of the World and translated into the major
world languages. It is strange that this
great sermon was delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the most unusual of
settings, the battlefield of Kurukshetra
where the Pandava and Kaurava armies were facing each other and Arjuna’s
chariot, with Krishna as the charioteer, was stationed right in the middle of
the two armies.
In the following verses from the Gita, the Lord enumerates the
marks of a true devotee of His.
marks of a true devotee of His.
भगवानुवाच-
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च
निर्ममो निरहंकारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी [१२.१३]
संतुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः [१२.१४]
That devotee of mine, who
does not hate any creature, is friend and compassionate, is not possessive or egoistic, accepts pleasure and pain with equanimity, is
forgiving , is always contented, is united constantly with me in meditation,
has the mind under his control and has unshakable resolve, who has surrendered
his mind and intellect to me, is very dear to me.
does not hate any creature, is friend and compassionate, is not possessive or egoistic, accepts pleasure and pain with equanimity, is
forgiving , is always contented, is united constantly with me in meditation,
has the mind under his control and has unshakable resolve, who has surrendered
his mind and intellect to me, is very dear to me.
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः
[१२.१५]
[१२.१५]
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्षः उदासीनो
गतव्यथः
गतव्यथः
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः
[१२.१६]
[१२.१६]
That devotee of mine, by
whom people are not mentally disturbed, who himself is not mentally disturbed
by others, who is not swayed by joy and envy, fear and anxiety, is very dear to
me (12.15)
whom people are not mentally disturbed, who himself is not mentally disturbed
by others, who is not swayed by joy and envy, fear and anxiety, is very dear to
me (12.15)
That devotee of mine, who is without desire for even things which
come to him without effort, who is pure in body and mind, who is active and
skilful and not lazy, who is devoid of worries, who has given up all endeavours
for selfish ends, is very dear to me. (12.16)
come to him without effort, who is pure in body and mind, who is active and
skilful and not lazy, who is devoid of worries, who has given up all endeavours
for selfish ends, is very dear to me. (12.16)
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः
[१२.१७]
[१२.१७]
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे
च तथा मानापमानयोः
च तथा मानापमानयोः
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः संगविवर्जितः [१२.१८]
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी संतुष्टो येन केनचित्
अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो
नरः
[१२.१९]
नरः
[१२.१९]
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते
श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः [१२.२०]
That devotee of mine, who neither delights nor hates, who neither
grieves nor desires, who is indifferent to things auspicious or inauspicious,
is very dear to me (12.17)
grieves nor desires, who is indifferent to things auspicious or inauspicious,
is very dear to me (12.17)
That devotee of mine, who maintains equanimity between friend and
foe, honour and dishonour, heat and
cold, pleasure and pain, praise and criticism,
who is unattached and contented
with whatever comes by chance, who does
not have a permanent abode and who
is having a steadfast mind, is
very dear to me (12.18,12.19)
foe, honour and dishonour, heat and
cold, pleasure and pain, praise and criticism,
who is unattached and contented
with whatever comes by chance, who does
not have a permanent abode and who
is having a steadfast mind, is
very dear to me (12.18,12.19)
This true wisdom I have taught will lead you to immortality. The
faithful practice it with devotion , taking me for the highest aim. To me they
surrender heart and mind. They are exceedingly dear to me. (12.20)
faithful practice it with devotion , taking me for the highest aim. To me they
surrender heart and mind. They are exceedingly dear to me. (12.20)
