In a world riddled with chaos, stress, and emotional instability, attaining unshakable peace of mind can often seem elusive. But as revealed in the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, peace is not something we chase—it is something we realize. In Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna reveals a transformational truth that becomes the foundation of inner calm and mental stability. Drawing from the teachings of Swami Mukundananda, this blog explores this divine wisdom in depth, incorporating real-life examples, profound stories, and scriptural references, exactly as narrated in his enlightening discourse.
The Foundational Verse: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 15
Sanskrit (English transliteration):
"yasmān nodvijate loko lokān nodvijate cha yaḥ
harṣhāmarṣha-bhayodvegair mukto yaḥ sa cha me priyaḥ"
Translation:
"Those who are not a source of annoyance to others and who in turn are not agitated by others, who are equal in pleasure and pain and free from fear and anxiety—they are very dear to Me."
👉 Read on holy-bhagavad-gita.org
This verse sets the tone for a deep exploration of what it means to live a life rooted in spiritual maturity. According to Swamiji, Shree Krishna is not just describing His favorite devotees—He is giving us virtues to strive for. These are ideals that every aspirant must work to cultivate in order to attain true spiritual progress.
Understanding the Soul and Its Potential
Swamiji begins by reminding us that the soul is inherently divine, as it is a fragment of God Himself. However, the soul is presently entangled in the materialistic concepts of identity—"I am the body, I am the mind." The mind, as we experience it today, is full of defects—anger, pride, envy, fear, and so on. These mental distortions are the obstacles that prevent us from experiencing our true, blissful nature.
Shree Krishna’s words, therefore, are not just praise—they are a blueprint. They describe the qualities of an enlightened soul, the destination for every sincere seeker.
Story of Kashar and Nambiar: A Lesson in Humility and Envy
To illustrate what it means to not be a source of annoyance, Swamiji shares a beautiful story from Indian tradition:
There was once a kathakar named Kashar who delivered spiritual discourses in a town. His talks were sweet and spiritually enriching, drawing large crowds. Another kathakar named Nambiar also lived in the same town, but his discourses failed to attract people. Naturally, envy took root in Nambiar’s heart.
One day, Nambiar found out that even his own wife had gone to attend Kashar’s discourse. This inflamed his ego. He stormed into the discourse and, unable to contain his jealousy, shouted:
“Why do you speak on the Ramayan when you have no understanding of it? You are a fool, and those who listen to you are even bigger fools!”
Everyone was stunned into silence. Kashar immediately stopped speaking. Nambiar’s wife quietly got up and left, ashamed.
But what happened next is the mark of true saintliness.
That very night, Nambiar was consumed with regret. At 5:00 a.m., he went to Kashar’s house to beg for forgiveness. But to his astonishment, Kashar was already standing at his doorstep, wrapped in a blanket.
Kashar said with folded hands:
“Sir, I am so sorry. I don’t know what mistake I made to hurt you last evening. Please make me aware so I may correct myself.”
Nambiar, overcome by Kashar’s humility, embraced him and melted in tears. This story shows the power of compassion and inner peace that comes from spiritual realization.
Unshaken by Others: Not Agitated by Anyone
Swamiji emphasizes the second part of the verse—those who are not agitated by others. Even if we try our best to be good, there will always be people who are disturbed by our actions or presence.
The Test of Spiritual Maturity
This is where our spiritual maturity is tested. As Swamiji says:
“If every word of every person creates a disturbance within, our spiritual knowledge is not yet ripened.”
Saints like Santas Tulsidas, Tukaram, Meera Bai, and others were heavily opposed—even persecuted. Yet, they remained calm and peaceful. Their response to external aggression was not retaliation but tranquility.
The Elephant and the Dogs: A Metaphor from Tulsidas
Swamiji shares a powerful analogy:
“When an elephant enters the village, dogs start barking. If the elephant turns to argue, is that the dignity of the elephant?”
Tulsidasji said, let people say what they will—you have the right to not be disturbed. If you allow someone else’s words to control your emotions, then you’ve handed them your inner peace.
Example: The Sister-in-law and Inner Choice
Another real-life story shared by Swamiji involves a husband and wife visiting India. The wife was constantly irritated by one quarrelsome sister-in-law. Despite the husband agreeing that his sister’s behavior was wrong, he told his wife:
“You now need to decide whether you will become upset by her behavior or not. That is your choice.”
And this is the truth: peace of mind is a choice. If we are still easily disturbed, we have more inner work to do.
Equal in Pleasure and Pain
Sanskrit (English transliteration):
"sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī"
From Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 13-14, elaborating on the qualities of a true devotee:
👉 Read full verse
Swamiji explains how saints treat pleasure and pain equally. Pleasure is fleeting, while pain (especially in the form of austerities) results in lasting growth. He uses a couple of vivid examples to bring this to life.
The Grain Jar and the Mouse
A mouse found a jar full of grain. Delighted, it sat inside and began eating—north, south, east, west. As it ate, the level of grain dropped until the mouse was trapped inside the jar. That’s what happens when we overindulge in pleasure—we become stuck in comfort and lose the ability to grow.
The Donkey in the Well: Growth from Adversity
Another striking story shared:
A loyal donkey once fell into a well. The farmer, deeming the donkey old and not worth rescuing, began shoveling dirt into the well to bury it. At first confused, the donkey kept brushing off the mud. Eventually, it realized the strategy: brush off the dirt and step up. Gradually, the level rose and the donkey jumped out.
Moral: What was meant to be the donkey’s grave became its escape.
Such is the power of mindset. Difficulties are not punishments—they are platforms for growth.
Shree Krishna’s Ultimate Teaching
Throughout this teaching, Shree Krishna outlines a vision for those who wish to rise above their mental struggles. When you:
- Stop being a source of annoyance
- Are not agitated by others
- Treat pleasure and pain equally
- Let go of fear and anxiety
—you become very dear to God. And, you reclaim your peace of mind, which no one can steal from you.
Final Takeaway from Swami Mukundananda
Swamiji reminds us:
“If we become disturbed, we have cheated our own self.”
The true test of spiritual growth is the temperature control of our inner world. The world may not change, but our response to it can—and must.
Call to Action
If you found value in this blog, we encourage you to dive deeper into the teachings of Shree Krishna and Swami Mukundananda.
👉 Subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube Channel for more such profound insights.
👉 Start reading the Bhagavad Gita today to transform not just your mind—but your life.
Let the divine wisdom of Shree Krishna become your anchor of peace in the stormy seas of life.
