Bhagavad Gita 9.29 — The Supreme Is Equal to All, Yet Devotees Are in Him and He Is in Them
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः ।
ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ॥ ९.२९ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
I am equal to all beings; no one is hateful to Me, and no one is especially dear. But those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am also in them.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| samaḥ | equal, impartial |
| aham | I |
| sarva-bhūteṣhu | to all beings |
| na | not |
| me | to Me |
| dveṣhyaḥ | hateful, disliked |
| asti | is |
| na | nor |
| priyaḥ | dear, favorite |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ye | those who |
| bhajanti | worship |
| tu | but |
| mām | Me |
| bhaktyā | with devotion |
| mayi | in Me |
| te | they |
| teṣhu | in them |
| cha | and |
| api | also |
| aham | I |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| samaḥ | equal, impartial | ye | those who |
| aham | I | bhajanti | worship |
| sarva-bhūteṣhu | to all beings | tu | but |
| na | not | mām | Me |
| me | to Me | bhaktyā | with devotion |
| dveṣhyaḥ | hateful, disliked | mayi | in Me |
| asti | is | te | they |
| na | nor | teṣhu | in them |
| priyaḥ | dear, favorite | cha | and |
| api | also | ||
| aham | I | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna answers a subtle doubt that may arise from the earlier verses. If He gives special favor to devotees, is He partial? He explains that He is equal to all beings, with no one dear or hateful to Him, yet those who worship with devotion are in Him and He in them.
Essence
Equal to All, Yet Close to the Devotee
This verse resolves an apparent paradox. The Lord is perfectly impartial, yet a devotee seems to enjoy a special relationship with Him. The explanation lies in how the relationship is formed.
Samo 'haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu (I am equal toward all beings): The Lord's love and grace are available to every being without discrimination. He does not favor the rich over the poor, the learned over the unlearned, or one group over another. His nature is impartial.
Na me dveṣyo 'sti na priyaḥ (no one is hateful to Me, and no one is especially dear): The Lord has no favorites in the ordinary sense, and no enemies. Our sufferings are not the result of His dislike, and our joys are not the result of His whim. Under the law of karma, results come from our own actions.
Ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā (but those who worship Me with devotion): The difference is not in the Lord but in the devotee, who has opened the heart.
Mayi te teṣu cāpy aham (they are in Me, and I am in them): A relationship of mutual presence arises. A light shines equally on all objects, but a mirror reflects it clearly while a stone does not. Likewise, a fire warms those who come near to it, though it does not favor them. The one who approaches with devotion experiences the Lord's presence more intimately.
The Lord's closeness is therefore not partiality. It is the natural result of the devotee's receptivity. The door is open to everyone, and each person decides how near to come.
Message for Everyday Life (Grace Is Available to Everyone)
Do not think you are excluded: Many people feel unworthy or abandoned. This verse assures us that the Lord's grace is not reserved for a chosen few.
Practical approach: Instead of asking, "Why does God not favor me?", ask, "How can I make my heart more receptive?" Sincere prayer, gratitude and humility open the heart. Also practice impartial goodwill toward others, reflecting the Lord's own equal vision.
Equal to All, Yet Close to the Devotee
This verse resolves an apparent paradox. The Lord is perfectly impartial, yet a devotee seems to enjoy a special relationship with Him. The explanation lies in how the relationship is formed.
Samo 'haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu (I am equal toward all beings): The Lord's love and grace are available to every being without discrimination. He does not favor the rich over the poor, the learned over the unlearned, or one group over another. His nature is impartial.
Na me dveṣyo 'sti na priyaḥ (no one is hateful to Me, and no one is especially dear): The Lord has no favorites in the ordinary sense, and no enemies. Our sufferings are not the result of His dislike, and our joys are not the result of His whim. Under the law of karma, results come from our own actions.
Ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā (but those who worship Me with devotion): The difference is not in the Lord but in the devotee, who has opened the heart.
Mayi te teṣu cāpy aham (they are in Me, and I am in them): A relationship of mutual presence arises. A light shines equally on all objects, but a mirror reflects it clearly while a stone does not. Likewise, a fire warms those who come near to it, though it does not favor them. The one who approaches with devotion experiences the Lord's presence more intimately.
The Lord's closeness is therefore not partiality. It is the natural result of the devotee's receptivity. The door is open to everyone, and each person decides how near to come.
Message for Everyday Life (Grace Is Available to Everyone)
Do not think you are excluded: Many people feel unworthy or abandoned. This verse assures us that the Lord's grace is not reserved for a chosen few.
Practical approach: Instead of asking, "Why does God not favor me?", ask, "How can I make my heart more receptive?" Sincere prayer, gratitude and humility open the heart. Also practice impartial goodwill toward others, reflecting the Lord's own equal vision.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has made clear that He is equal to all, yet dwells intimately in those who worship Him with devotion. Now He gives an extraordinary assurance to those who feel unworthy because of their past, declaring that even a person of very bad conduct becomes saintly through sincere, exclusive devotion.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The Divine plays no favorites.
The sun is the same; the open window feels it.
Devotion is the doorway.
Love given is love received.
Everyone is welcome.
Be in the Divine; the Divine is in you.
The door is open to every heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'samaḥ aham sarva-bhūteṣhu' (I am equal to all beings) mean?
If He is equal to all, why does He say devotees are 'mayi' (in Me) and He is 'teṣhu' (in them)?
What does 'na me dveṣhyaḥ asti na priyaḥ' (no one is hateful or dear to Me) mean?
How does this verse relate to the previous one?
What is the practical message of this verse?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: