I am equal toward all beings. No one is hated by me, and no one is especially dear. But those who worship me with devotion dwell in me, and I dwell in them.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 9.29
Hindi · हिन्दी
मैं सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंमें समान हूँ । उन प्राणियोंमें न तो कोई मेरा द्वेषी है और न कोई प्रिय है । परन्तु जो भक्तिपूर्वक मेरा भजन करते हैं, वे मेरेमें हैं और मैं उनमें हूँ ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
समःequalअहम्Iसर्वभूतेषुtoward all beingsनnotमेto meद्वेष्यःhated oneअस्तिisनnotप्रियःdear oneयेthose whoभजन्तिworshipतुbutमाम्meभक्त्याwith devotionमयिin meतेtheyतेषुin themचandअपिalsoअहम्I
Read literallyequal · I · toward all beings · not · to me · hated one · is · not · dear one · those who · worship · but · me · with devotion · in me · they · in them · and · also · I
Understanding the verse
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Krishna hates no one and favours no one, yet devotees live in him and he in them.
The divine is not partial or biased. Everyone is met equally, but loving devotion creates a living closeness between the divine and the devotee.
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On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna speaks on the battlefield to Arjuna, after teaching him to offer every action to the divine. Now he clarifies a subtle point: divine presence is equal everywhere, yet sincere devotion creates a mutual indwelling that changes the relationship.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A grandmother loves all her grandchildren the same, but the one who visits every Sunday knows her differently. Krishna describes that kind of closeness: equal care for all, deeper presence where devotion runs both ways.
The takeaway
“You do not have to earn basic worth; devotion changes distance into intimacy.”
The divine is not partial or biased. Everyone is met equally, but loving devotion creates a living closeness between the divine and the devotee.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.29?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga" (The Royal Knowledge).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 9.29?
Verse 29 sits in Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, "The Royal Knowledge". The chapter has 34 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 9.29 matter today?
A grandmother loves all her grandchildren the same, but the one who visits every Sunday knows her differently. Krishna describes that kind of closeness: equal care for all, deeper presence where devotion runs both ways.
Krishna hates no one and favours no one, yet devotees live in him and he in them.
What this verse means
The divine is not partial or biased. Everyone is met equally, but loving devotion creates a living closeness between the divine and the devotee.
Context & commentary
Krishna speaks on the battlefield to Arjuna, after teaching him to offer every action to the divine. Now he clarifies a subtle point: divine presence is equal everywhere, yet sincere devotion creates a mutual indwelling that changes the relationship.
What it looks like today
A grandmother loves all her grandchildren the same, but the one who visits every Sunday knows her differently. Krishna describes that kind of closeness: equal care for all, deeper presence where devotion runs both ways.
“You do not have to earn basic worth; devotion changes distance into intimacy.”
Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses), samatva (13 verses)