Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 | Part 13 - The Beloved Devotees - Remain Equanimous amidst Life's Dualities
In our ongoing exploration of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, we now arrive at Verse 18, where Shri Krishna continues describing the endearing qualities of His beloved devotees.
In Part 12, we meditated upon the emotional balance, karma renunciation, and unwavering devotion of the true devotee. Now, in Verse 12.18, Shri Krishna reveals even subtler spiritual traits — equanimity amidst dualities, and freedom from negative association.
Swami Mukundananda Ji offers us profound insights and real-life analogies that help translate this verse into a living, breathing spiritual practice. Let us immerse ourselves in this sacred verse, which invites us to grow in tolerance, maturity, and spiritual wisdom.
Bhagavad Gita 12.18
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः |
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ||
Translation:
“Those who are alike to friend and foe, equipoised in honour and dishonour, cold and heat, joy and sorrow, and are free from all unfavourable association, are very dear to Me.”
🌿 1. Alike to Friend and Foe
“Those who are alike to friend and foe.”
People in the world will always hold varying sentiments about you. According to one estimate:
- 25% of people like you.
- 25% can be convinced to like you.
- 25% tend to dislike you.
- 25% will never like you.
🦗 The Frog Story:
A man thought a million frogs were croaking near his house. But the next day, he brought only two frogs to a restaurant — they were just making a lot of noise!
Likewise, we often let noisy opinions disturb our peace unnecessarily.
👉 Reflection:
People have the right to speak.
You have the right not to be upset.
Your spiritual strength lies in your non-reactivity.
Such a person, Shri Krishna says, is very dear to Him.
🌿 2. Equipoised in Honor and Dishonor
“Equipoised in honour and dishonour.”
Shri Krishna doesn’t promise only praise for His devotees. Instead, He values those who can maintain equanimity in both honor and insult.
🚕 The Garbage Truck Law:
David Pole once asked a calm taxi driver how he handled road rage so peacefully. The driver replied:
“Some people are like garbage trucks. They carry garbage inside and spill it wherever they go. If I get upset, I’m collecting their garbage too.”
🌍 The Berlin Wall Story:
East Germans once threw garbage-filled drums over the Berlin Wall. Instead of retaliating, West Germans cleaned the drums, filled them with fruits and vegetables, and returned them labeled:
"Each gives to the other what they have."
📌 Lesson:
Don’t collect others’ negativity — return it with kindness.
Shri Krishna says, a devotee who refuses to be hurt is very dear to Him.
🌿 3. Alike in Cold and Heat, Joy and Sorrow
“Alike in cold and heat, joy and sorrow.”
If your peace depends on perfect conditions, it’s fragile.
🌍 Sansāra means: that which keeps moving.
Jagat means: that which keeps going.
This world is always changing.
🎖 A Soldier’s Situation:
A young army man in Kashmir once asked Swamiji,
“How can I practice bhakti amid gunfire?”
Swamiji replied,
“You’re like Arjun in a modern battlefield.
If Arjun could remember God during war, so can you — through tolerance and devotion.”
🌳 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said:
“A spiritual seeker should be more tolerant than a tree.”
🎨 Painting of Peace:
A king chose a painting of a bird calmly feeding her chicks behind a waterfall during a storm, saying:
“True peace is calm amidst chaos, not the absence of it.”
If you can remain peaceful in turbulence, Shri Krishna says, you are very dear to Him.
🌿 4. Free from Unfavourable Association
“And are free from all unfavourable association.”
🌀 Association shapes consciousness:
- Satsang uplifts.
- Kusang pulls the mind into negativity.
Attending Gita discourses is Satsang.
Mindlessly scrolling through negative news or indulging in gossip is Kusang.
📰 Practical Insight:
You can be informed without being absorbed — 2 minutes of news is enough.
📌 Lesson:
Avoiding Kusang preserves your spiritual energy and inner connection with God.
Such a devotee, Shri Krishna says, is very dear to Him.
🌸 Conclusion: The Silent Strength of the Devotee
Shri Krishna reveals that external balance reflects internal depth.
✅ Equanimity in relationships
✅ Calmness in praise and insult
✅ Stability in joy and sorrow
✅ Conscious protection of inner energy
These qualities are not mere behaviors — they are fruits of spiritual transformation.
They arise from deep devotion, awareness, and detachment.
Such devotees, who remain steadfast amidst dualities, are deeply beloved to Shri Krishna.
✅ FAQs
Q: What is the main teaching of Bhagavad Gita 12.18?
Bhagavad Gita 12.18 teaches emotional and situational equanimity. A true devotee remains steady in both favorable and unfavorable conditions.
Q: What does “alike to friend and foe” mean in Gita 12.18?
It means treating both friend and enemy with equal calmness — without getting emotionally affected by external relationships.
Q: What does “free from unfavorable association” mean?
It refers to avoiding negative environments or influences (Kusang) that pull the mind away from God and spiritual goals.
Q: How can one remain calm in honor and dishonor?
By realizing that praise and criticism are both temporary and do not define your true spiritual self. Practice inner detachment and cultivate a deep connection with the divine.
Q: Why does Krishna value tolerance so highly?
Because true spirituality is measured by how you respond to adversity. Remaining peaceful in the face of challenges reflects spiritual strength and deep devotion.
🕗 In the final blog of this series (Part 14 – releasing tomorrow at 8:00 AM CST)
We will dive into the final verse of Chapter 12, where Shri Krishna concludes the divine traits of His most beloved devotees — with a message that encapsulates the heart of Bhakti Yoga.