Kṛṣṇa begins a beautiful list of the character traits that make a devotee ‘Priya’ or dear to Him. The first is ‘Adveṣṭā’—having no hatred for any living being. A devotee is a friend to everyone and full of compassion. He doesn’t see enemies; he sees only souls who are suffering or confused. He is ‘Nirmama’ (without ‘mine-ness’) and ‘Nirahaṅkāra’ (without ego). He doesn’t think, ‘I am the owner of this house’ or ‘I am the boss.’ He sees himself as a humble servant of God. Because of this, he remains ‘Sama’ or equal in both happiness and distress. He is not shaken by the changing weather of life. These qualities represent the peak of human character. A devotee is ‘Kṣamī’—forgiving even those who wrong him. This inner peace comes from the realization that everything is ultimately under Kṛṣṇa’s control. By letting go of the need to control others, he finds a deep, unshakable serenity.