Chapter 12, Verse 19
Bhakti Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
tulya—alike; nindā-stutiḥ—reproach and praise; maunī—silent contemplation; santuṣhṭaḥ—contented; yena kenachit—with anything; aniketaḥ—without attachment to the place of residence; sthira—firmly fixed; matiḥ—intellect; bhakti-mān—full of devotion; me—to me; priyaḥ—very dear; naraḥ—a person
English translation
He to whom censure and praise are equal, who is silent, content with anything, homeless, of a steady mind, and full of devotion; that man is dear to me.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 12.19
Commentary
He is neither elated by praise nor pained by censure. He keeps a balanced state of mind. He has controlled the organ of speech and so he is silent. His mind also is serene and silent as he has controlled the thoughts also. He is quite content with the bare means of bodily sustenance. It is said in the Mahabharata (Santi Parva; Moksha Dharma) Who is dressed in anything; who eats any kind of food; who lies down anywhere; him the gods call a Brahmana or a liberated sage or Jivanmukta. He does not dwell in one place. He has no fixed abode. He is homeless. He regards the world as his dwelling place. His mind is ever fixed on Brahman. (Cf. VII.17IX.29XII.17)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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