The Bhagavadgita on Who Is a True Yogi: Gentle, Peaceful, Unperturbed
Krishna Arjuna Samvadam - Image: Al
Summary: Commentary on Bhagavadgita Chapter 12, Verse 15 describing God's beloved devotees as gentle, nonviolent, peaceful people who neither create karma ripples nor are affected by worldly disturbances. Explains how exclusive devotees remain centered in divine thoughts, practice self-control (atma-samyama), live without desires/attachments, minimize world interaction, and stay free from joy, impatience, fear, distress by cultivating indifference to dualities. Contrasts with ordinary people's karma-creating interactions.
Chatper 12 Sloka 15
yasmān nodvijate loko lokān nodvijate ca yah
harsāmarsabhayodvegair mukto yah sa ca me priyah
Translation
yasmat = by whom; na = not; udvijate = disturbed; lokah = the world; lokat = by the world; na = not; udvijate = disturbed; ca = and; yah = he who is; harsa = joy; amarsa = impatience; bhaya = fear; udvegaih = distress; muktah = freed; yah = who; sah = he; ca = also; me = Mine; priyah = very dear.
Meaning
" By whom the world is not disturbed and he who is not disturbed by the world, who is free from joy, impatience, fear, and distress, he is also dear to Me.
Commentary
God expects his devotees to be peaceful, stable, and gentle. However, sometimes, you may meet devotees who are violent, wicked, destructive, mentally unstable, or hyperactive. Even if they excel in devotion like Ravana, they cannot be considered his best devotees unless they renounce their evil nature and cultivate purity. An exclusive devotee who earns God’s love and mercy is by nature gentle and nonviolent. He does not disturb others and is not disturbed by them because he remains centered in divine thoughts and indifferent to the world. He is ever-content, firmly under control, free from desires and attachments, devoid of ego, compassionate and ever-forgiving. He does not retaliate or seek vengeance even if treated unjustly or cruelly. Instead, he uses those situations as opportunities to practice self-control. Amidst people and society, he lives as if he does not exist at all, minimizing his interaction with the world without becoming a burden to others, even while depending upon them for food and occasional help. Since he gives up the world and worldly desires and lives on the fringes of society, he does not create any ripples around him or negative consequences for himself or others. Practicing self-control and restraining his mind and body (atma-samyama), he remains undisturbed amidst the dualities and disturbances of life. Thus, as the lotus in a pond, he lives a pure and peaceful life without touching the world or being touched by it.
Ordinary people cannot live in this world without disturbing others or being disturbed by them. They constantly interact with the world and leave ripples of karma all around them and in themselves. In the process, they disturb others and are disturbed by them. When you live for yourself, your family, or your selfish interests, it is inevitable that you clash with others, hurt them, and are hurt by them. Violence is the norm for most beings on earth as a survival strategy. Human beings are no exception. They have the potential to unleash destruction and violence. The multitude of wars fought on Earth reflects the violence and destruction to which humans can succumb. Even in matters of religion, violence plays a key role. The world witnessed many wars fought in the name of God and religion. Even today, religions have the potential to incite passions, conflicts, and violence and destabilize the world. Here, Lord Krishna clearly stated that he expects his devotees to remain peaceful and gentle and excel in compassion and universal friendliness towards all. God exemplifies these qualities, and those who want to cultivate nearness and oneness with him must also exemplify them. To be a part of the pure consciousness of Brahman, one has to be pure physically, mentally, emotionally, and rationally. In these verses, Lord Krishna conveyed that he does not approve of any behavior which leads to suffering within oneself or in others. Spiritually or morally, it is repugnant to engage in evil behavior.
A true devotee is free from desires, egoism, delusion, attraction, and aversion. He is indifferent to the dualities and distractions of life and has no expectations from himself or others. Therefore, he is not disturbed by what happens or does not happen, how he is treated or ill-treated, and whether the path on which he walks is decked with flowers or thorns. Since the world or external factors do not influence him, he is free from joy, impatience, fear, and distress. With his mind and body firmly under his control and his mind engaged in the contemplation of God, he lives upon the earth without being repulsed by it or attracted to it. The world ceases to disturb him or make any difference to his thinking and attitude, just as he ceases to control it or make any difference to it by his actions. To the extent possible, he tries to cultivate nearness to God while distancing himself from the world, which he considers illusory and a source of desires and delusion. Self-giving and unassuming, he neither claims self-importance nor indulges in any actions that would disturb others or their lives. He may help others find peace or teach them the knowledge of liberation but does so without expecting any favors or appreciation in return. His motivation to engage in selfless actions or help others arises from within himself due to his divine nature or these divine qualities, not due to any external or worldly causes.