Posted on: 26 Mar 2023
Ms. Thrylokya asked: In the Gita, chapter-12 verse -17, it is told that the devotee will not see good and bad (Shubhaashubhaparityaagii…). Is this justified?
Swami replied: Here, the devotee is intoxicated with the climax of devotion to God. In that state, he does not differentiate which is good for him and which is bad for him. If you take this meaning in a twisted way, it means that such a devotee will not see what is good and what is bad to others. The twisted version is not correct. The first version of meaning is correct. It only means that the devotee does not care about his profit or loss. For example, Prahlaada was in climax devotion by which he did not fear for elephants, etc. which were used to kill him. He also did not see that he will be benefitted if he follows his father. He was immersed in the madness of devotion of God Vishnu and did not differentiate his personal profit and personal loss or damage. A really mad person is quite different, who does not care about good and bad for him and for others also.