Loading...
Current layer: Translation
Chapter 6 • Verse 9
The Yoga of Meditation
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna describes the ultimate quality of a true yogi: equal vision (sama-buddhi) toward all beings. 'Suhṛn-mitrāry-udāsīna-madhyastha-dveṣya-bandhuṣu'—toward friends (suhṛt), allies (mitra), enemies (ari), the indifferent (udāsīna), neutral mediators (madhyastha), the hateful (dveṣya), and relatives (bandhuṣu)—'sādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu'—also toward the righteous (sādhuṣu) and the sinful (pāpeṣu)—'sama-buddhir viśiṣyate'—one who has equal vision (sama-buddhi) excels (viśiṣyate). This means: the yogi doesn't see people differently based on their relationship to them or their moral qualities. A friend and an enemy are the same. A relative and a stranger are the same. A righteous person and a sinful person are the same. This doesn't mean they don't recognize differences—they do—but they maintain equal vision, equal love, equal compassion toward all. They see the same Self in everyone. This is the culmination of yoga—transcending all distinctions and seeing unity in diversity. This completes the description of the true yogi's qualities that began in verse 6.1.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
The yogi who excels has equal vision toward all beings—friends and enemies, relatives and strangers, righteous and sinful. This doesn't mean they don't recognize differences—they do—but they maintain equal love, equal compassion, equal respect toward all. They see the same Self in everyone. A friend and an enemy are the same—both are human beings, both deserve compassion, both have the same divine nature. A relative and a stranger are the same—both are souls, both are worthy of love. A righteous person and a sinful person are the same—both are on their journey, both need understanding. This is the culmination of yoga—transcending all distinctions and seeing unity in diversity. When you see the same Self in everyone, you naturally treat everyone with equal vision, equal love, equal compassion.
Personal Reflection
Do you have equal vision toward all beings, or do you see people differently based on their relationship to you or their qualities? Do you treat friends and enemies, relatives and strangers, righteous and sinful with equal love and compassion?
Shortcuts
←/→ Verses
↑/↓ Layers