Home/ English/ English Translation/ Chapter 12/ Verse 17

Bhagavad Gita 12.17

Bhakti Yoga · English Translation

Bhagavad Gita 12.17 — "He who neither rejoices, nor hates, nor grieves, nor desires, renouncing good and evil, and who is f"
Bhagavad Gita 12.17 — Bhakti Yoga
He who neither rejoices, nor hates, nor grieves, nor desires, renouncing good and evil, and who is full of devotion, is dear to Me.
Sanskrit

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति | शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः ||१२-१७||

Transliteration

yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi na śocati na kāṅkṣati . śubhāśubhaparityāgī bhaktimānyaḥ sa me priyaḥ ||12-17||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that the person he holds most dear is one who remains balanced through all of life's fluctuations. This ideal devotee does not get overly excited by good times nor depressed by bad ones; they simply accept every situation without attachment to specific outcomes like 'good' or 'evil'. By renouncing these dualities and maintaining steady devotion, such a person achieves the state Krishna describes as being dear to Him.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse synthesizes the principles of Karma Yoga (action without attachment) and Bhakti Yoga (devotion), emphasizing that true devotion requires a mind free from the dualities of pleasure and pain. It develops the concept of 'Uparati' or mental renunciation, where one transcends the binary nature of good and evil to realize the equanimity required for spiritual union with the Divine.

Word by Word
यः who, न not, हृष्यति rejoices, न not, द्वेष्टि hates, न not, शोचति grieves, न not, काङ्क्षति desires, शुभाशुभपरित्यागी renouncing good and evil, भक्तिमान् full of devotion, यः who, सः he, मे to Me, प्रियः dear
Classical Commentary
What is described in verse 13 is dealt with at length in this. He does not rejoice when he attains the desirable objects. He does not hate when he gets the undesirable objects. He does not grieve when he parts with his beloved objects. He does not desire the unattained. Subhasubhaparityagi Here is a further description of Sarvarambhaparityagi of verse 16. He who has renounced good and evil actions which produce pleasure and pain is a devotee of the Lord. Such a devotee or knower of Brahman, who is My own Self, is dear to Me. (Cf. VII.17IX.29)

Where This Happens

This teaching occurs during Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, specifically within Chapter 12 which focuses on Bhakti Yoga. After describing various forms of devotion and meditation in previous verses, Krishna is now summarizing the qualities that define a true devotee who has mastered their emotions. At this moment, Arjuna is seeking to understand how one can effectively practice devotion while remaining engaged in the world's duties amidst such intense emotional turmoil.

Living It Out Today

Consider a professional facing an unexpected project failure at work; instead of spiraling into self-loathing or blaming others (hating), they calmly analyze what went wrong without losing their sense of worth. Simultaneously, when that same person receives a sudden promotion or bonus the next day, they accept it with gratitude but do not become arrogant or overly attached to this new status. By maintaining this emotional equilibrium between success and failure, they reduce stress and make clearer decisions based on duty rather than fleeting feelings.

Explained for Children

Imagine you are playing your favorite game with friends. Sometimes you win, but sometimes you lose; maybe someone gets hurt, or everything goes smoothly. This verse teaches us about a special kind of friend who doesn't get crazy happy when they win, and doesn't cry or get angry when things go wrong. They just keep playing fairly because they love the game itself, not just winning it, making them everyone's favorite player.

Daily Reflection

Today, imagine holding your heart steady like an ancient mountain while life's weather shifts around you in storms and sunshine. When you catch yourself craving outcomes or resenting obstacles, gently remind yourself that true peace comes from releasing the grip on both good and bad results. This balance is not about being cold or indifferent, but rather a deep freedom where your devotion remains steady regardless of external circumstances.

A Practice for Today

Close your eyes and notice where you are currently rejoicing or grieving over the events of this day; observe these reactions without judgment, simply as passing clouds. Silently breathe into a state of inner stillness that remains undisturbed by whether things go well or poorly.

Key Teachings

  1. Equanimity in Suffering and Joy
    The verse teaches that the devotee does not swing between elation and despair based on changing fortunes. By refusing to hate or grieve, one maintains a calm mind that serves as a stable vessel for spiritual practice.
  2. Renunciation of Dualities
    True devotion requires letting go of the obsession with 'good' and 'bad' outcomes. The seeker accepts all experiences as part of the divine play without attachment to specific results.
  3. The Heart's Devotional Anchor
    Even while practicing detachment, the devotee remains fully engaged in love for the Divine. This unique balance makes them dear to God because their focus is fixed on Him rather than fluctuating worldly conditions.

Themes

Emotional EquanimityDevotion (Bhakti)Detachment from ResultsTranscending DualityInner PeaceSpiritual Devotee Qualities

Related Verses

2.473.304.186.518.66

Read This Next

  1. 2.47 — This verse establishes the fundamental principle of performing duty without attachment to results, which is necessary for renouncing good and evil.
  2. 3.30 — Here Krishna asks Arjuna to surrender all actions to Him, illustrating how devotion transforms one's relationship with outcomes.
  3. 12.15 — This preceding verse describes the devotee who does not agitate others and is free from agitation, setting the context for 12.17.

Recommended Reading

Classic Commentary Bhagavad Gita with commentary by Swami Sivananda → Modern Translation Eknath Easwaran Bhagavad Gita translation → Thematic Study Bhakti Yoga devotion and detachment books →

GitaQ earns from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate.

Share This Verse

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'renouncing good and evil' mean ignoring morality?
No, it does not mean becoming indifferent to right or wrong actions. Instead, it means detaching from the personal desire for a specific outcome (like reward or punishment) based on whether an event feels pleasant or painful. A devotee still performs righteous duties but without being emotionally swayed by the results.
How can someone practice this equanimity in daily life?
One can start by observing their emotional reactions to small successes and failures, acknowledging them without letting them dictate self-worth. By focusing on the action itself rather than the result—whether it feels 'good' or 'bad' one will receive—one gradually develops a steady mind that remains centered regardless of external circumstances.
Is this verse only for monks and ascetics?
Absolutely not; Krishna addresses Arjuna, who was a warrior and householder living in the world. The teaching is designed for anyone engaged in duty, showing that true devotion involves maintaining inner balance while actively participating in life's challenges rather than retreating from them.
Why does Krishna say such a person becomes 'dear to Me'?
Krishna declares this because the mind of someone who is free from emotional turbulence and personal desire reflects his own divine nature. When an individual's consciousness aligns with balance, compassion, and selfless devotion, they naturally resonate with the Divine presence Krishna represents.
In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 12.17 →