Chapter 6 · Shloka 9— The Yoga of Meditation / Self-Control

suhṛin-mitrāryudāsīna-madhyastha-dveṣhya-bandhuṣhu sādhuṣhvapi cha pāpeṣhu sama-buddhir viśhiṣhyate

su-hṛit

— toward the well-wishers

mitra

— friends

ari

— enemies

udāsīna

— neutral persons

madhya-stha

— mediators

dveṣhya

— the envious

bandhuṣhu

— relatives

sādhuṣhu

— pious

api

— as well as

cha

— and

pāpeṣhu

— the sinners

sama-buddhiḥ

— of impartial intellect

viśhiṣhyate

— is distinguished

"Suhrn-mitrary-udasina-madhyastha-dvesya-bandhusu, sadhusv api ca papesu sama-buddhir visisyate." — One who is even-minded toward a well-wisher, a friend, an enemy, a neutral, a mediator, the hateful, a relative, and toward saints and sinners alike — such a one excels. Krishna extends the yogi's equanimity from objects (clay, stone, gold in 6.8) to people — and the list is exhaustive, covering every category of human relationship. He names seven types based on their disposition toward us: suhrt (well-wisher who helps without expectation), mitra (friend), ari (enemy), udasina (the indifferent/neutral), madhyastha (the impartial mediator), dvesya (the hateful), bandhu (relative). Then he adds the moral spectrum: sadhus (the virtuous) and papis (the wicked). The one with 'sama-buddhi' — even-minded vision — toward all of these 'visisyate,' excels, stands supreme. Shankaracharya is careful: this even-mindedness is not the abolition of practical discernment. The yogi still knows a friend from an enemy and a saint from a sinner, and acts appropriately. What is equal is the inner regard — the recognition of the same Self in all, the absence of the agitating waves of partiality and prejudice that disturb ordinary minds. This is among the most demanding teachings in the chapter. Equanimity toward objects is one thing; equanimity toward the person who actively hates you is another. Yet Krishna names precisely this as the mark of the supreme yogi.

Being even-minded toward your friends is easy. Krishna's bar is radically higher: the supreme yogi holds inner equanimity even toward the person who actively hates them, the manipulator, the wicked. This doesn't mean dropping discernment — you still know who's an enemy and act wisely. It means refusing to let your inner peace be hijacked by who's in front of you. The same deeper Self lives in your best friend and your worst critic. Recognizing that doesn't make you naive; it makes you unshakeable.

Being chill toward your friends? Easy. Krishna's actual standard: stay inwardly even toward the person who actively hates you, the manipulator, the hater. That's the boss level. It doesn't mean you drop discernment — you still know who's toxic and act smart. It means you don't hand them the remote to your inner peace. The same deeper Self is in your bestie AND your worst hater. Seeing that doesn't make you a doormat — it makes you unbothered on a whole different level.

Krishna describes the very best kind of person: someone who stays kind and calm in their heart toward EVERYONE — their best friend, a stranger, even someone who's been unkind to them! They don't get all stirred up with love for some and hatred for others. This doesn't mean they can't tell right from wrong — it means they keep a peaceful, fair heart toward all people. That's really hard, and really beautiful!