Qualities of a True Devotee

Uddhava: "O Govinda, I have heard You speak of the glory of devotion. But how can one recognize a true devotee? There are many who claim to love You, yet their actions tell a different story. What are the signs of genuine bhakti?"

Krishna: "(thoughtfully) Uddhava, the qualities of My devotees are numerous, but I will describe the essential ones. A true devotee is compassionate to all living beings. They cannot see suffering without feeling moved to help—not because duty commands it, but because they see Me in every creature."

Uddhava: "What other qualities mark such a person?"

Krishna: "They are free from enmity. Even when wronged, they do not harbor hatred. They understand that those who cause harm are themselves suffering—lost in ignorance, acting from pain. The devotee feels pity, not anger."

Uddhava: "But Lord, is it not natural to feel anger when attacked?"

Krishna: "(patiently) Natural to the unawakened mind, yes. But the devotee has tasted something sweeter than revenge—peace. Why would one who has found an ocean of nectar drink from a puddle of poison? Anger burns the one who holds it far more than the one it is aimed at."

Uddhava: "What about their relationship with worldly things?"

Krishna: "They are patient and content. Whether they receive much or little, whether honored or insulted, they remain steady. This is not suppression—it is genuine indifference born of understanding that external circumstances cannot touch their inner wealth."

Uddhava: "Do they withdraw from the world then?"

Krishna: "Not necessarily. They live in the world but are not entangled by it. Like a lotus that grows in muddy water yet remains untouched by mud, they engage with life while keeping their hearts anchored in Me. They perform their duties without the fever of ambition."

Uddhava: "What is their attitude toward their own spiritual progress?"

Krishna: "(smiling gently) They are humble about their attainments and eager to learn. They do not parade their wisdom or compare themselves to others. The more they advance, the more they realize how far there is to go. This humility protects them from pride, which is the downfall of many seekers."

Uddhava: "How do they treat others?"

Krishna: "With kindness and respect, regardless of social position. They see the soul in everyone—the beggar and the king, the saint and the sinner. This equal vision is not blindness to differences but recognition of the one Self wearing different costumes."

Uddhava: "And their relationship with You, Lord?"

Krishna: "(with deep warmth) They think of Me constantly, not from effort but from love. As a lover cannot stop thinking of the beloved, so My devotee finds Me naturally arising in every thought. They see My hand in every event, My face in every being, My love in every circumstance."

Uddhava: "(moved) These qualities seem almost impossible to attain."

Krishna: "(reassuringly) They develop naturally through practice. No one begins with all of them. Start with what you can: a little more compassion, a little less anger, a little more contentment. Water the seed of devotion, and these qualities will bloom in their own time."

Uddhava: "(bowing deeply) Thank you, Krishna. Now I know what to aim for."

Krishna: "Aim for Me, Uddhava. The qualities will follow. When the heart is fixed on the goal, the path reveals itself."