Dear to Me, as I am to them

teṣāṃ jñānī nityayukta ekabhaktirviśiṣyatepriyo hi jñānino’atyarthamahaṃ sa ca mama priyaḥ

Of these, the wise one, ever steady, devoted to the One, stands out. I am dear to them, and they to Me.

What it means

Krishna says the wise one stands out. Always steady, with eka-bhakti, devotion to the One alone. And then something tender. I am deeply dear to the wise, and they are dear to me. It isn't a ranking of worth. It's describing a love that has become complete and mutual.

The story

Arjuna and Krishna have been friends for a lifetime. Here Krishna names what friendship with God can become. Not just help in hard times, but love for its own sake, flowing both ways.

In your life

Picture an old couple who no longer need anything from each other, simply delighted to be together. That's this verse. Tell someone you love them today, for no reason at all.