Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 13
Bhakti as the Supreme Process; Detachment and the Rudiments of Meditation
अकिञ्चनस्य दान्तस्य शान्तस्य समचेतस: । मया सन्तुष्टमनस: सर्वा: सुखमया दिश: ॥ १३ ॥
akiñcanasya dāntasya śāntasya sama-cetasaḥ mayā santuṣṭa-manasaḥ sarvāḥ sukha-mayā diśaḥ
Celui qui ne désire rien en ce monde, qui maîtrise ses sens et demeure paisible, dont la conscience est égale en toute condition et dont l’esprit est pleinement satisfait en Moi, trouve le bonheur en tout lieu.
A devotee who is always meditating upon Lord Kṛṣṇa experiences transcendental sound, touch, form, flavor and aroma in the pastimes of the Lord. These sublime perceptions are certainly due to the causeless mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa upon one whose mind and senses are completely satisfied in Him. Such a person finds only happiness wherever he goes. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura gives the example that when a very wealthy man travels all over the world, at every place he stays he always enjoys the same luxurious standard of comfort. Similarly, one who has developed Kṛṣṇa consciousness is never separated from happiness, because Lord Kṛṣṇa is all-pervading. The word kiñcana indicates the so-called enjoyable things of this world. One who is akiñcana has correctly understood that material sense gratification is simply the glare of illusion, and therefore such a person is dāntasya, or self-controlled, śāntasya, or peaceful, and mayā santuṣṭa-manasaḥ, or completely satisfied with his transcendental experience of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says an akinchana devotee is self-controlled (dānta), peaceful (śānta), and even-minded (samacetasaḥ); being satisfied in Krishna, such a person experiences happiness in all circumstances—“all directions” feel auspicious.
In the Uddhava Gita, Krishna instructs Uddhava on renunciation and devotion as the Lord prepares to depart from the world; He emphasizes that true security and joy come from inner contentment in Him, not from external arrangements.
Practice restraint and simplicity, cultivate an even mind in success and failure, and anchor satisfaction in devotional remembrance—then external changes (place, people, circumstances) lose their power to disturb your peace.