Translation: My devotees who aren’t any source or foundation for causing displeasure or irritation to anyone, and at the same time are not disturbed and agitated by anyone; are very neutral in both pain and pleasure, are free from worries, fears and anxiety are the devotees who are very Dear to me.

Stress has unfortunately become an eminent part of our lives. And this stress hinders our vision to look at the world with compassion and love. We have become slaves of this stress. But, really is this stress needed? And how come it has entered our lives and conquered us?

Let us begin with understanding the lives we are living today. The first thing we want to do is appreciation from everyone. We do not let others reject us in any way. We are agitated by even a small rejection, let alone be the rejection of our family members. Everyone wants to be liked by everyone. But, let us think of this deeply. Is this really possible? I mean how can everyone have the same likes, dislikes as well as same thinking process. We are wired differently. Each one of us has a unique position in this system. We don’t need approval from others to be in this position. We need to love ourselves first before expecting others to do the same. Only when we feel whole and complete from within, then we can experience completion on the outside. This will eliminate the major source of stress from our lives.

Secondly, we want to be a part of everyone’s lives. When someone is discussing their problems or issues, we happily want to give them solutions. And if the person is against receiving these solutions or implementing them, we feel offended. We forget that sometimes all that the person needs is a hearing ear. We take their stress as our own and start webbing around it. Another need of the hour is to stop always being a solution bearer.

Krishna has wonderfully put up in this shloka that we need to focus on ourselves, on our life. No one needs to be source of displeasure to anyone and neither do we need to get affected. This can truly happen only when we start focusing within. In this chaotic time, he calls us to look what is happening inside us. When we are focused on dealing the issues we are dwelling inside, we will no longer have the need to be stressed. When our own inner emotional needs will be met, we will allow peace to come within. And honestly, as we are progressing materialistically, it is also time to progress spiritually and humanly.

Another important point which needs our attention is when Krishna talks about being neutral about both pain and pleasure. We need to understand as well as accept that both pain and pleasure go hand-in-hand. Both are inevitable part of our fates. Hence, being angry in pain and over the moon in pleasure needs to stop. One needs to be courageous to accept the pain as it brings in wisdom, whilst pleasure is the fruit of the hard work. Integrating both of them without being attached to them is the key to true Bhakti and devotion to the Divine Krishna. And when this freedom from attachment is attained, one becomes free from fears and anxiety too. This leads you to the path of true salvation.