|| 9.29 ||
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः। ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम्।।
samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu na me dveṣyo ’sti na priyaḥ ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā mayi te teṣu cāpy aham
Word by Word
samaḥ (equally disposed) aham (I am) sarva-bhūteṣu (to all living entities) na (not) me (to Me) dveṣyaḥ (hateful) asti (is) na (not) priyaḥ (dear) ye (those who) bhajanti (render service) tu (but) mām (unto Me) bhaktyā (in devotion) mayi (in Me) te (they) teṣu (in them) ca (also) api (certainly) aham (I am)
Translation
I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.
Meaning
Kṛṣṇa explains His impartiality. He says, “I am equal to all living beings; I have no enemies and no favorites.” Like the sun that shines on everyone regardless of their character, God’s energy is available to all. He does not hold a grudge against anyone.
However, He adds a beautiful nuance: “Whoever serves Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.” This is not partiality, but reciprocation. If you open your window, the sun comes in. If you keep it closed, you stay in the dark. The sun is neutral, but your experience depends on your choice.
God is always waiting for us to turn toward Him. The moment we offer our love, He responds with a personal intimacy. He is in the devotee, and the devotee is in Him. It is a relationship of mutual indwelling. Arjuna is being invited to step out of the crowd and enter into this special friendship with the Divine.