Bhagavad Gita 12.17 · Krishna
Beyond good and bad outcomes
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति।
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः॥
yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi na śocati na kāṅkṣatiśubhāśubhaparityāgī bhaktimānyaḥ sa me priyaḥ
One who neither exults nor hates, neither grieves nor craves, letting go of good and bad outcomes, full of love, is dear to Me.
Words
- bhakti
What it means
Krishna describes a heart at rest. Not swinging into exultation or hatred. Not sinking into grief or craving. Releasing attachment to good and bad outcomes alike. And bhaktiman, full of love. It isn't coldness. It's love that doesn't depend on circumstances.
The story
Arjuna's heart has swung wildly all day. Krishna describes the opposite, not a frozen heart, but one full of love and settled underneath.
In your life
Imagine a grandparent who loves their grandchildren the same on good days and bad, through successes and mistakes. Love someone today without needing them to be any different.
Love that needs no outcome is deepest.