Divine equality and devotional intimacy coexist.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः |ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ||९-२९||
samo.ahaṃ sarvabhūteṣu na me dveṣyo.asti na priyaḥ . ye bhajanti tu māṃ bhaktyā mayi te teṣu cāpyaham ||9-29||
Use this verse when you feel spiritually unworthy.
Meaning
I am equal to all beings; none is hated or specially favored by Me. But those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am in them.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Krishna is equal to all, yet devotion creates intimacy.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
This verse balances universal equality and personal devotion. Krishna does not act with bias, but loving devotion opens a special reciprocal relationship.
Read the traditional commentary
Krishna resolves an apparent tension. If the Divine favours devotees, is God then partial? No: 'I am the same to all beings; none is hateful or dear to Me.' Like the sun shining equally on all, the Divine plays no favourites and excludes no one. The grace is impartial and ever-present.
Yet, he adds, those who worship with devotion 'are in Me, and I am in them.' This is not divine partiality but spiritual reciprocity. The sun shines everywhere, but only the one who opens the window receives its light into the room.
Devotion is that opening. God does not love the devotee more, but the devotee, by turning toward God, comes into conscious communion — a mutual indwelling. The teaching guards against both fear of an arbitrary God and complacency: grace is universal, yet it is devotion that lets us truly receive it.
In daily life
Do not think Krishna rejects anyone; deepen your devotion.
A person who feels unworthy can still approach Krishna through love.
Try this today
Spend one minute in honest devotional remembrance.
Krishna is equal to all and near through devotion.Reflect
Do I believe Krishna is available to me?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘समः अहम्’ mean in this verse?
Krishna on equality, in other chapters
- Verse 6.9Spiritual maturity shows in seeing the same essence in friend and foe, saint and sinner alike, without partiality.
- Verse 4.11However sincerely you approach the divine, it meets you in that very way — every honest path is honored.
- Verse 3.10Giving and contributing are woven into the design of life — live as part of the great cycle of offering, and your true needs are met.
- Verse 5.18The wise see the same divine Self in every being, high or low — equal vision is the natural fruit of self-knowledge.
Swipe left for 9.30 · No past is beyond sincere transformation.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 9.29
Who says Bhagavad Gita 9.29, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 9.29, in Chapter 9, Raja Vidya Yoga (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 9.29 mean?
I am equal to all beings; none is hated or specially favored by Me. But those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am in them. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 9.29 for daily life?
Do not think Krishna rejects anyone; deepen your devotion. A person who feels unworthy can still approach Krishna through love.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 9.29 mean?
समः अहम् — I am the same / equal; सर्वभूतेषु — toward all beings; न मे द्वेष्यः अस्ति — none is hateful to Me; न प्रियः — nor dear; ये भजन्ति तु माम् — but those who worship Me.
Where does verse 9.29 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 29 of 34 in Chapter 9, Raja Vidya Yoga. The next verse is 9.30.