Shloka 19

Daivī–Āsurī Sampad-Vibhāga (दैवी–आसुरी संपद्विभागः) | Division of Constructive and Destructive Dispositions

Devanagari script

तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मीनी संतुष्टो येन केनचित्‌ । अनिकेतः* स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्‌ मे प्रियो नर:

Transliteration

tulya-nindā-stutir maunī santuṣṭo yena kenacit | aniketaḥ sthira-matir bhaktimān me priyo naraḥ ||

Translation

Wem Tadel und Lob gleich sind; wer innerlich still und nachsinnend ist; wer zufrieden bleibt mit dem, was zur bloßen Erhaltung des Leibes kommt; wer an keinen Wohnort haftet; wessen Einsicht fest ist und der voller Hingabe ist—dieser Mensch ist Mir lieb.

Word by Word

• {'tulya': 'equal, the same', 'nindā': 'censure, blame', 'stuti': 'praise, eulogy', 'tulya-nindā-stutiḥ': 'one to whom blame and praise are alike', 'maunī': 'silent

• contemplative', 'santuṣṭaḥ': 'content, satisfied', 'yena kenacit': 'by whatever (means), with anything whatsoever that comes', 'aniketaḥ': 'without a fixed dwelling

• not clinging to a home', 'sthira-matiḥ': 'steady-minded

• firm in understanding', 'bhaktimān': 'possessed of devotion', 'me': 'to me, my', 'priyaḥ': 'dear, beloved', 'naraḥ': 'man, person'}

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• Krishna

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse praises a devotee’s ethical steadiness: remaining even-minded amid praise and blame, living with simple contentment, not clinging to possessions or residence, and maintaining firm understanding rooted in devotion.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Bhīṣma Parva’s dialogue setting, Arjuna speaks while discussing spiritual and moral qualities; here he articulates the traits of a person who is especially dear—one marked by equanimity, detachment, and devotion.