Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 15
Bondage and Liberation Under Māyā; Two Birds Analogy; Marks of the Saintly Devotee
यस्यात्मा हिंस्यते हिंस्रैर्येन किञ्चिद् यदृच्छया । अर्च्यते वा क्वचित्तत्र न व्यतिक्रियते बुध: ॥ १५ ॥
yasyātmā hiṁsyate hiṁsrair yena kiñcid yadṛcchayā arcyate vā kvacit tatra na vyatikriyate budhaḥ
บางคราวโดยไร้เหตุปรากฏ กายถูกคนโหดร้ายหรือสัตว์ดุร้ายทำร้าย; อีกคราว ณ ที่อื่นกลับได้รับความเคารพหรือการบูชาอย่างฉับพลัน ผู้ไม่โกรธเมื่อถูกทำร้าย และไม่ลุ่มหลงเมื่อถูกบูชา ผู้นั้นแลเป็นบัณฑิต
If one does not become angry when attacked for no apparent reason, and if one does not become enlivened when glorified or worshiped, then one has passed the test of self-realization and is considered fixed in spiritual intelligence. Uddhava asked Lord Kṛṣṇa, kair vā jñāyeta lakṣaṇaiḥ: by what symptoms can a self-realized person be recognized? Just as Lord Kṛṣṇa enlightened Arjuna, He now explains the same subject matter to Uddhava. In this verse the Lord describes symptoms by which it is very easy to recognize a saintly person, for a normal person becomes furious when criticized or attacked and overwhelmed with joy when glorified by others. There is a similar statement by Yājñavalkya to the effect that one who is actually intelligent does not become angry though pricked with thorns and does not become satisfied at heart merely by being worshiped with auspicious paraphernalia such as sandalwood.
FAQs
In Bhagavatam 11.11.15, Kṛṣṇa says a truly wise person does not become agitated when harmed by violent people; he remains steady and unchanged.
In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa trains Uddhava in the qualities of a sādhū—inner steadiness, detachment, and freedom from reactive anger or pride—so devotion can remain pure.
Practice not over-identifying with praise or blame: respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively, and keep your inner focus on dharma and devotion instead of external treatment.