समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः ।ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ॥
samo 'haṃ sarvabhūteṣu na me dveṣyo 'sti na priyaḥ | ye bhajanti tu māṃ bhaktyā mayi te teṣu cāpy aham ||
- समः · samaḥ
- the same, impartial
- अहम् · aham
- I
- सर्वभूतेषु · sarvabhūteṣu
- toward all beings
- द्वेष्यः · dveṣyaḥ
- hateful
- प्रियः · priyaḥ
- dear, favored
- ये · ye
- those who
- भजन्ति · bhajanti
- worship, adore
- भक्त्या · bhaktyā
- with devotion
- मयि ते · mayi te
- they are in me
- तेषु अहम् · teṣu aham
- I am in them
“I am the same toward all beings — none is hateful or specially dear to me. But those who worship me with devotion are in me, and I in them.”
— Original plain-language translation
Impartiality and intimacy are reconciled: like the sun shining on all, yet entering only the open room. Devotion does not bribe a partial God; it opens a mutual indwelling. Nearness is a matter of response.
— Reader's notes (original)