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:,जो निन्दा-स्तुतिको समान समझनेवाला,” मननशील* और जिस किसी प्रकारसे भी शरीरका निर्वाह होनेमें सदा ही संतुष्ट हैः तथा रहनेके स्थानमें ममता और आसक्तिसे रहित है, वह स्थिरबुद्धिः भक्तिमान्‌ पुरुष मुझको प्रिय हैः

Transliteration

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

Translation

Arjuna said: “That person is dear to me who regards blame and praise as equal, who is inwardly silent and reflective, who remains content with whatever comes for the mere maintenance of the body, who is without attachment to any fixed abode, whose understanding is steady, and who is devoted.”

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.