The Yoga of Devotion

Krishna continues describing the qualities of devotees, emphasizing perfect equanimity. 'Yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi na śocati na kāṅkṣati'—who (yaḥ) neither rejoices (na hṛṣyati) nor hates (na dveṣṭi), neither grieves (na śocati) nor desires (na kāṅkṣati). 'Śubhāśubha-parityāgī'—renouncing good and bad (śubha-aśubha-parityāgī). 'Bhaktimān yaḥ sa me priyaḥ'—who (yaḥ) is devoted (bhaktimān), he (saḥ) is dear (priyaḥ) to Me (me). This verse describes perfect emotional balance: the devotee doesn't react to favorable or unfavorable circumstances. This isn't about suppressing emotions—it's about transcending them through devotion. When you're devoted, you naturally become steady, neither rejoicing in success nor hating failure, neither grieving loss nor desiring gain. The result is clear: such a devotee is dear to Krishna.