After discussing the progressive stages of devotional yoga (bhakti), Krishna now details the qualities with which to execute bhakti and the secret of becoming dear to Him.
One who is not envious (adveṣṭā), but friendly (maitraḥ) and also kind (karuṇa eva ca) toward all living entities (sarva-bhūtānāṁ), who does not think oneself a proprietor (nirmamo) and is free from false ego (nirahaṅkāraḥ), who is equal in both happiness and distress (sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ), who is forgiving (kṣamī), ever-satisfied yogi (santuṣṭaḥ satataṁ yogī), self-controlled (yatātmā), determined (dṛḍha-niścayaḥ) and investing one’s mind and intelligence in Krishna (mayy arpita-mano-buddhir) – such a devotee of Krishna (yo mad-bhaktaḥ) is very dear to Krishna (sa me priyaḥ). (BG 12.13-14)
By whom no one is put into agitation (yasmān nodvijate loko) and who is not agitated by anyone (lokān nodvijate ca yaḥ), who is free (mukto yaḥ) from exultation (harṣa), intolerance (amarṣa), fear (bhaya) and anxiety (udvegair), is also very dear to Krishna (sa ca me priyaḥ). (BG 12.15).
A Krishna’s devotee (yo mad-bhaktaḥ), who is impartial (anapekṣaḥ), pure (śucir), expert (dakṣa), neutral (udāsīno), free from all pains (gata-vyathaḥ), and carrying a spirit of renunciation in all endeavors (sarvārambha-parityāgī), is very dear to Krishna (sa me priyaḥ). (BG 12.16)
A devotee (bhaktimān yaḥ) who neither rejoices nor hates (yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi), who neither laments nor hankers (na śocati na kāṅkṣati), and who is a renouncer of both auspicious and inauspicious things (śubhāśubha-parityāgī) is very dear to Krishna (sa me priyaḥ). (BG 12.17) One who is equal to friends and enemies (samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca), who is equipoised in honor and dishonor (tathā mānāpamānayoḥ), heat and cold (śītoṣṇa), happiness and distress (sukha-duḥkheṣu), free from contaminating association (saṅga-vivarjitaḥ), equal in fame and infamy (tulya-nindā-stutir), silent (maunī), satisfied with anything (santuṣṭo yena kenacit), who doesn’t care for any residence (aniketaḥ), and carries a steady intelligence (sthira-matir) – such a devoted person (bhaktimān naraḥ) is very dear to Krishna (me priyo). (BG 12.18-19)
But (ye), those devotees (ye bhaktās) who wholeheartedly follow (paryupāsate) this (idaṁ) imperishable path of dharma (dharmāmṛtam ) exactly as stated (yathoktaṁ) and with faith (śraddadhānā), making Krishna the supreme goal (mat-paramā), are exceedingly dear to Krishna (te ’tīva me priyāḥ). (BG 12.20)
In summary, a devotee of Krishna, who sincerely follows Krishna’s instructions making Krishna the supreme goal, is equipoised and satisfied in all circumstances of life, and is non-envious toward all living entities is extremely dear to Krishna.
