Bhagavad Gita 12.13

adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ

maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca

nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ

sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī

 

Hating none, a friend to all,

Merciful when troubles call;

Free from possessiveness and pride,

Steady through loss and gain in life’s ride.

 

My dear Lord, I often have an exclusive conception of devotion, where I see bhakti only in terms of how much I like and love you while excluding the world. Help me rise toward a more inclusive understanding of bhakti, wherein my devotion leads me to not just turn away from the world toward you, but also to turn toward the world and see you within it, especially in the people around me.

O supreme benefactor, let my bhakti thus make me more like you—not in the sense of becoming infinite or omnipotent as you are, but in the sense of becoming loving and caring, as you are. As you are the benefactor of everyone, may I too become a benefactor in your service.

O all-inclusive Lord, help me stop seeing others through the filter of “What is in it for me?” Whenever I see people, instead of asking what they can do for me, help me ask what you would like me to do for them. Let my heart be filled and healed by experiencing your sublime love. And as my heart becomes more like yours, may my words and my actions express your love—so that I can contribute, in whatever capacity you choose, to the healing of others.

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12.13 One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant [– such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me].