suhṛn-mitrāry-udāsīna-madhyastha-dveṣya-bandhuṣu sādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu sama-buddhir viśiṣyate
"One who has equal regard for well-wishers, friends, enemies, neutrals, mediators, the hateful, relatives, saints, and sinners—such a one excels."
What This Means:
The highest yogi maintains equanimity toward everyone—friends and enemies, saints and sinners, relatives and strangers. This doesn't mean treating everyone identically, but seeing the same Self in all.
Going Deeper:
This is sama-buddhi (equal vision) at its most challenging. Krishna lists the full spectrum of human relationships and says the yogi sees beyond these roles to the underlying reality. This is the vision of unity in diversity.
How To Apply This:
Notice your internal reactions to different people. Can you wish well for someone you dislike? Can you avoid special pleading for those you love? Practice seeing the humanity in everyone, regardless of their relationship to you.
Key Sanskrit Terms: