अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी।।12.13।।
adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamī
Translation
He who bears no ill‑will toward any being, who is a friend to all, who is compassionate, who is free of selfishness and pride, who remains even‑minded in pain and pleasure, and who is forgiving.
Word Meanings
अद्वेष्टा — one who harbors no hatred; सर्वभूतानां — of all beings; मैत्रः — friendly, benevolent; करुण — compassionate; एव — indeed, only; च — and; निर्ममो — free from egoism; निरहङ्कारः — without pride; समदु:खसुखः — even‑minded in pain and pleasure; क्षमी — patient, forgiving
Understanding the Verse
Verse 12.13 enumerates the pinnacle of spiritual qualities that a devotee of the Supreme should cultivate. The first attribute, "adveṣṭā" – one who harbors no hatred – signifies a mind purified of malice. In the material world, hatred creates separation and bondage, but the yogi, through discrimination (viveka) and compassion, sees the underlying oneness of all existence, thereby dissolving the seed of enmity.
The next quality, "sarvabhūtānāṁ maitraḥ," extends this universal love into active friendship. "Maitrī" is not merely a feeling but an outward conduct of goodwill toward every creature, recognizing the divine spark embedded within. This friendliness is the practical expression of the earlier non‑hatred, manifesting as supportive actions that uplift rather than diminish others.
"Karuṇa" – compassion – deepens the emotional resonance of the previous traits. While friendship may be limited to conscious intention, compassion arises spontaneously when one witnesses suffering. The yogi's heart responds with a desire to alleviate pain, reflecting the divine attribute of mercy. Together, non‑hatred, friendliness, and compassion form the triad of a heart aligned with divine love.
"Nirmamo" and "nirahaṅkāraḥ" describe the purity of the ego. "Nirma" – the sense of "mine" – is the root of attachment and possessiveness; its eradication frees the practitioner from selfish motives. "Ahankāra" – the false identification with the ego‑self – fuels pride and separateness. By relinquishing both, the individual stands beyond personal gain and status, embodying humility and openness, which are essential for true devotion.
The phrase "samaduḥkhasukhaḥ" highlights equanimity. Life presents inevitable dualities of pleasure and pain. A wise soul, anchored in self‑realization, perceives these experiences as transient waves upon the ocean of consciousness and remains undisturbed. This steadiness cultivates inner peace, enabling consistent service to the Divine without the sway of external circumstances.
Finally, "kṣamī" – the forgiving one – denotes the capacity to bear offenses without resentment. Forgiveness is both a release for the forgiver and a catalyst for spiritual growth. It eliminates the accumulation of karmic burdens and reflects the infinite tolerance of the Supreme.
Collectively, these qualities delineate a comprehensive ethical blueprint. They guide aspirants toward a state of pure devotion (bhakti) where actions arise spontaneously from a heart free of negativity, ego, and duality. By embodying non‑hatred, universal friendship, compassion, ego‑lessness, equanimity, and forgiveness, the devotee transcends material limitations and moves steadily toward union with the Divine.
