Shloka 15
Daivī–Āsurī Sampad-Vibhāga (दैवी–आसुरी संपद्विभागः) | Division of Constructive and Destructive Dispositions
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः । हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो" य: स च मे प्रिय:,जिससे कोई भी जीव उद्वेगको प्राप्त नहीं होताः और जो स्वयं भी किसी जीवसे उद्वेगको प्राप्त नहीं होता5 तथा जो हर्ष, अमर्ष, भय और उद्वेगादिसे रहित है,* वह भक्त मुझको प्रिय है
yasmān nodvijate loko lokān nodvijate ca yaḥ | harṣāmarṣa-bhayodvegair mukto yaḥ sa ca me priyaḥ ||
He is dear to me who causes no disturbance to the world and is not disturbed by the world—who is free from exultation, resentment, fear, and agitation. In the midst of conflict, such a person remains steady, harmless, and inwardly composed, embodying devotion through equanimity and non-harm.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The devotee most प्रिय (dear) to Kṛṣṇa is one who neither disturbs others nor is disturbed by them, remaining free from emotional surges like elation, resentment, fear, and agitation—an ethical ideal of harmlessness and steady-minded devotion.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s dialogue of instruction (aligned with the Gītā’s teaching), Kṛṣṇa describes the marks of a true devotee amid the pressures of war: inner steadiness and non-provocation, even while living among conflict and strong passions.