kṛpālur akṛta-drohas titikṣuḥ sarva-dehinām

कृपालुरकृतद्रोहस्तितिक्षुः सर्वदेहिनाम् ।
सत्यसारोऽनवद्यात्मा समः सर्वोपकारकः ॥
कामैरहतधीर्दान्तो मृदुः शुचिरकिञ्चनः ।
अनीहो मितभुक् शान्तः स्थिरो मच्छरणो मुनिः ॥
अप्रमत्तो गभीरात्मा धृतिमाञ्जितषड्‍गुण: ।
अमानी मानदः कल्यो मैत्रः कारुणिकः कविः ॥

kṛpālur akṛta-drohas titikṣuḥ sarva-dehinām |
satya-sāro’navadyātmā samaḥ sarvopakārakaḥ ||
kāmair ahata-dhīr dānto mṛduḥ śucir akiñcanaḥ |
anīho mita-bhuk śāntaḥ sthiro mac-charaṇo muniḥ ||
apramatto gabhīrātmā dhṛtimāñ jita-ṣaḍ-guṇaḥ |
amānī māna-daḥ kalyo maitraḥ kāruṇikaḥ kaviḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.11.29-31; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.18–20; Bhakti Sandarbha: 199)

“[One who is] Sympathetic, non-malicious, forbearing towards all embodied beings, steadfast in truth, irreproachable in character, equipoised, supportive of all, of mind unimpaired by objects of desire, controlled, gentle, virtuous, possessionless, non-active [in worldly pursuits], a measured eater, peaceful, steady, of shelter in me, sage, non-negligent, deep in character, resolute, victorious over the six properties [of worldly existence], undesirous of respect, respectful, adept, friendly, compassionate, and wise [is the best of the sat].”

Commentary

“In that regard [i.e., in regard to who is considered a sādhu], he [i.e., Śrī Kṛṣṇa] defines a sādhu by means of thirty characteristics with five [verses]: kṛpālur … [i.e., he defines a sādhu by means of the twenty-eight characteristics mentioned in SB 11.11.29–31, and two other characteristics mentioned in the ensuing verses]. ‘Sympathetic’ (kṛpāluḥ) means intolerant of others’ suffering. ‘Non-malicious’ (akṛta-drohaḥ) means [one is such] towards anyone among all embodied beings [i.e., towards everyone]. ‘Forbearing’ (titikṣuḥ) means forgiving. ‘Steadfast in truth’ (satya-sāraḥ) means one whose core (sāra), that is, steadfastness or strength, is truth (satya). ‘Irreproachable in character’ (anavadyātmā) means free from detraction (asūyā) [of others] and so forth. ‘Equipoised’ (samaḥ) means [one is such] in the midst of happiness and suffering. ‘Supportive of all’ (sarvopakārakaḥ) means supportive of everyone as per [one’s] ability. ‘Of mind unimpaired by objects of desire’ (kāmair ahata-dhīḥ) means of mind undisturbed by objects of desire. ‘Controlled’ (dāntaḥ) means of subdued external senses. ‘Gentle’ (mṛduḥ) means not hard-hearted. ‘Virtuous’ (śuciḥ) means properly conducted. ‘Possessionless’ (akiñcanaḥ) means non-accepting [of anything unnecessary]. ‘Non-active’ (anīhaḥ) means devoid of visible [i.e., worldly] activity. A ‘measured eater’ (mita-bhuk) means one whose eating is light. ‘Peaceful’ (śāntaḥ) means of controlled psyche (antaḥkaraṇa). ‘Steady’ (sthiraḥ) means [one is such] in one’s own dharma. ‘Of shelter in me’ (mac-charaṇaḥ) means one whose sole shelter is in me. ‘Sage’ (muniḥ) means contemplative. ‘Non-negligent’ (apramattaḥ) means attentive. Deep in character (gabhīrātmā) means unfazed [by adversity, etc.]. ‘Resolute’ (dhṛtimān) means not wretched [i.e., not miserable, misbehaved, or undiscriminating] even in the midst of adversity. ‘Victorious over the six properties’ [of worldly existence] (jita-ṣaḍ-guṇaḥ) means one by whom the six waves [in the ocean] of [saṁsāra, viz.,] lamentation, delusion, old age, death, hunger, and thirst are overcome. ‘Undesirous of respect’ (amānī) means one who does not covet respect. ‘Respectful’ (mānadaḥ) means [one is such] towards others. ‘Adept’ (kalyaḥ) means expert in enlightening others. ‘Friendly’ (maitraḥ) means non-deceitful. ‘Compassionate’ (kāruṇikaḥ) means being engaged only out of compassion and not, rather, out of greed for a seen objected [i.e., a worldly, or, anticipated object thought to be attainable as a result of having acted compassionately]. ‘Wise’ (kaviḥ) means one endowed with complete knowledge.”

atah sādhana-tāratamyena sādhūnāṁ tāratamyam āha pañcabhiḥ | tatrāvaraṁ miśra-bhakteḥ sādhakam āha—kṛpālur iti trikeṇa | atra mac-charaṇa iti viśeṣyam | uttaratra sa ca sattama iti ca-kāreṇa tu pūrvokto yathā sattamaḥ, tathāyam api sattama iti vyaktir evam evaṁ-bhūto mac-charaṇaḥ sattama ity ākṣipyate ||
(Excerpt from Krama-sandarbha-ṭīkā; Bhakti Sandarbha: 199)

“Now, he [i.e., Śrī Kṛṣṇa] describes with five [verses] a gradation among sādhus based on a gradation in [their respective] sādhanas. Therein, he [first] describes with three [verses beginning] kṛpāluḥ … the lower-order, the sādhakas of mixed bhakti. Herein [i.e., in the three verses under discussion, viz., SB 11.11.29–31], ‘of shelter in me’ (mac-charaṇaḥ) is the qualificand (viśeṣya) [i.e., having one’s shelter solely in Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the principal, defining characteristic of a sādhu, that is, a Vaiṣṇava, and all the other qualities mentioned in the verses under discussion are adjectives (viśeṣaṇas) that describe other qualities that emerge as effects of this principal characteristic]. On account of the word ‘also’ (ca) [in the statement of Śrī Kṛṣna] later on [i.e., in the following verse, SB 11.11.32], ‘He is also (ca) the best of the sat,’ the expression [in SB 11.11.32] means, ‘As the aforementioned [person, i.e., as one of shelter is in me] is the best of the sat, so too he [i.e., one possessed of the characteristics mentioned in SB 11.11.32] is also the best of the sat.’ In this way, that ‘one of shelter in me’ (mac-charaṇaḥ) of such nature [i.e., who also possesses the other qualities mentioned in SB 11.11.29–31] is the best of the sat is indicated.”

śrī-bhagavatā prakarṣeṇa datte uddhava-kṛta-praśnasya—‘sādhus tavottamaḥśloka mataḥ kīdṛg-vidhaḥ prabho’ ity asyottare prativacane | kṛpāluḥ para-duḥkhāsahiṣṇuḥ | sarva-dehināṁ keṣāñcid apy akṛta-drohaḥ | yad vā, sarva-dehinām uttama-madhyama-nīcānāṁ titikṣuḥ aparādha-sahiṣṇuḥ | satyaṁ sāraṁ sthiraṁ balaṁ yasya saḥ | anavadyātmā asūyādi-rahitaḥ | sukha-duḥkhayoḥ samaḥ | yathā-śakti sarveṣām upakārakaḥ | kāmair akṣubhita-cittaḥ | dāntaḥ saṁyata-bāhyendriyaḥ | mṛdur akaṭhina-cittaḥ | śuciḥ sadācāraḥ | akiñcanaḥ aparigrahaḥ | anīho dṛṣṭa-kriyā-śūnyaḥ | mita-bhuk laghv-āhāraḥ | śānto niyatāntaḥkaraṇaḥ | sthiraḥ sva-dharma-niyamādau | mac-charaṇo mad-ekāśrayaḥ | munir manana-śīlaḥ, vṛthā-vārtā-tyāgī vā | apramattaḥ sāvadhānaḥ | gabhīrātmā nirvikāraḥ | dhṛtimān vipady apy akṛpaṇaḥ | jita-ṣaḍ-guṇaḥ śoka-mohau jarā-mṛtyū kṣt-pipāse ṣaḍ-ūrmaya ete jitā yena saḥ | amānī mānākāṅkṣa-rahitaḥ | anyebhyo mānadaḥ | kalyaḥ para-bodhane dakṣaḥ | maitraḥ avañcakaḥ | kāruṇikaḥ karuṇayaiva sarvatra pravartamānaḥ, na tu dṛṣṭa-lobhena | kaviḥ samyag-jñānī bhagavad-varṇana-śīlo vā | yadyapy ete para-duḥkha-sahiṣṇutādayo guṇāḥ katicid anyeṣv api sambhaveyuḥ, tathāpi ‘yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā sarvair guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ’ ity-ādi nyāyena sarveṣām eṣāṁ guṇānāṁ bhagavad-bhaktiṣv eva samyag-vṛtteḥ | kiṁ vā, bhagavad-bhaktānāṁ śuddha-sāttvikatayā teṣv eva niṣṭhā-vyāptyā tair guṇair bhagavad-bhaktatvaṁ bodhyate iti dik | evam agre’py ūhyam |
(Dig-darśinī-ṭīkā on Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.18–20)

“[This verse is] The response given at length by Śrī Bhagavān in reply to the question posed by Uddhava [in SB 11.11.26], ‘O you of highest praise, O Prabhu, a person of what type is considered a sādhu by you?’ ‘Sympathetic’ (kṛpāluḥ) means intolerant of others’ suffering. ‘Non-malicious’ (akṛta-drohaḥ) means [one is such] towards anyone among all embodied beings [i.e., towards everyone]. Alternately, ‘forbearing’ (titikṣuḥ) means tolerant of offenses from all embodied beings—the high, the intermediate, and the low. ‘Steadfast in truth’ (satya-sāraḥ) means one whose core (sāra), that is, steadfastness or strength, is truth (satya). ‘Irreproachable in character’ (anavadyātmā) means free from detraction [of others] and so forth. ‘Equipoised’ (samaḥ) means [one is such] in the midst of happiness and suffering. ‘Supportive of all’ (sarvopakārakaḥ) means supportive of everyone as per [one’s] ability. ‘Of mind unimpaired by objects of desire’ (kāmair ahata-dhīḥ) means of mind undisturbed by objects of desire. ‘Controlled’ (dāntaḥ) means of subdued external senses. ‘Gentle’ (mṛduḥ) means not hard-hearted. ‘Virtuous’ (śuciḥ) means properly conducted. ‘Possessionless’ (akiñcanaḥ) means non-accepting [of anything unnecessary]. ‘Non-active’ (anīhaḥ) means devoid of visible [i.e., worldly] activity. A ‘measured eater’ (mita-bhuk) means one whose eating is light. ‘Peaceful’ (śāntaḥ) means of controlled psyche (antaḥkaraṇa). ‘Steady’ (sthiraḥ) means [one is such] in one’s own dharma, regular practices, and so forth. ‘Of shelter in me’ (mac-charaṇaḥ) means one whose sole shelter in is me. ‘Sage’ (muniḥ) means contemplative, or, a renouncer of useless talk. ‘Non-negligent’ (apramattaḥ) means attentive. ‘Deep in character’ (gabhīrātmā) means unfazed [by adversity, etc.]. ‘Resolute’ (dhṛtimān) means not wretched [i.e., not miserable, misbehaved, or undiscriminating] even in the midst of adversity. ‘Victorious over the six properties’ [of worldly existence] (jita-ṣaḍ-guṇaḥ) means one by whom the six waves [in the ocean] of [saṁsāra, viz.,] lamentation, delusion, old age, death, hunger, and thirst are overcome. ‘Undesirous of respect’ (amānī) means one who does not covet respect. ‘Respectful’ (mānadaḥ) means [one is such] towards others. ‘Adept’ (kalyaḥ) means expert in enlightening others. ‘Friendly’ (maitraḥ) means non-deceitful. ‘Compassionate’ (kāruṇikaḥ) means being engaged only out of compassion and not, rather, out of greed for a seen objected [i.e., a worldly, or, anticipated object thought to be attainable as a result of having acted compassionately]. ‘Wise’ (kaviḥ) means one endowed with complete knowledge, or, one whose inclination is to describe Bhagavān.
“Although these qualities beginning with being intolerant of others’ suffering can exist in others to some extent, still, as per the principle [stated in SB 5.18.12], ‘The suras along with all qualities reside in full within one who has unconditional bhakti to Bhagavān,’ the complete [alt., true] presence of all these qualities is in bhaktas of Bhagavān alone. Alternately, being a bhakta of Bhagavān is made known by these qualities because of the pervasion of fixity [of these qualities] only in them [i.e., in bhaktas of Bhagavān] on account of [only] bhaktas of Bhagavān being possessed of pure being (śuddha-sāttvikatā) [and thus being unwavering in their retention and consistent expression of these qualities, unlike those conditioned by māyā, who will invariably be inconsistent in their retention and expression of the aforementioned qualities]. This is the direction. Such is to be inferred ahead as well.”

“On account of the twofold nature of bhakti to me—(1) [bhakti] mixed with karma, jñāna, or otherwise, and (2) [bhakti that is] pure—performers of that [i.e., of bhakti], that is, sādhus, too, are of twofold nature. In that regard, he [i.e., Śrī Kṛṣṇa] speaks of the first [type of bhakta] with three [verses]: kṛpāluḥ …. ‘Sympathetic’ (kṛpāluḥ) means intolerant of others’ suffering in saṁsāra. ‘Non-malicious’ (akṛta-drohaḥ) means [one is such] even in regard to a person who is malicious towards oneself. ‘Forbearing’ (titikṣuḥ) means forgiving of offenses from all embodied beings—even those who are disrespectful to oneself. [‘Steadfast in truth’ (satya-sāraḥ) means] One whose core (sāra), that is, strength, is truth (satya) alone. ‘Irreproachable in character’ (anavadyātmā) means free from the faults of detraction [of others] and so forth. ‘Equipoised’ (samaḥ) means [remaining] the same in the midst of happiness and suffering as well as respect and disrespect. ‘Supportive of all’ (sarvopakārakaḥ) means a benefactor and well-wisher of all. [‘Of mind unimpaired by objects of desire’ (kāmair ahata-dhīḥ) means] Of mind undisturbed by objects of desire. ‘Controlled’ (dāntaḥ) means of subdued external senses. ‘Gentle’ (mṛduḥ) means not hard-hearted. ‘Virtuous’ (śuciḥ) means properly conducted. ‘Possessionless’ (akiñcanaḥ) means non-accepting [of anything unnecessary]. ‘Non-active’ (anīhaḥ) means devoid of worldly (vyavārhika) activity. A ‘measured eater’ (mita-bhuk) means one whose eating is light and pure. ‘Peaceful’ (śāntaḥ) means possessed of śānti-rati. ‘Steady’ (sthiraḥ) means unruffled in one’s own dharma and one’s tasks [all the way] up to the accomplishment of the result as per the characteristic of that [i.e., of steadiness, stated in BRS 2.1.107], ‘Steady means a performer [of a task] up to the accomplishment of the result [i.e., not quitting before accomplishing the task because one is overwhelmed by obstacles encountered in the process of accomplishing the tast].’ ‘Of shelter in me’ (mac-charaṇaḥ) means one whose sole shelter in is me. ‘Sage’ (muniḥ) means contemplative. ‘Non-negligent’ (apramattaḥ) means attentive. ‘Deep in character’ (gabhīrātmā) means of a nature difficult to be fathomed by others. ‘Resolute’ (dhṛtimān) means unfazed [even in the midst of adversity, etc.]. ‘Victorious over the six properties’ [of worldly existence] (jita-ṣaḍ-guṇaḥ) means free from the waves of hunger, thirst, and so forth. ‘Undesirous of respect’ (amānī) means free from coveting respect. ‘Respectful’ (mānadaḥ) means [one is such] towards others. ‘Adept’ (kalyaḥ) means expert in enlightening others. ‘Friendly’ (maitraḥ) means non-deceitful. ‘Compassionate’ (kāruṇikaḥ) means being engaged only out of compassion [and not for the sake of some result thought to be attainable in reward for being compassionate]. ‘Wise’ (kaviḥ) means one who understands bondage and mokṣa. ‘One possessed of these [aforementioned] twenty-eight qualities is the best of the sat’—this is the anuṣaṅga [i.e., the content to be supplied to complete the sense of the sentence] with the latter [i.e., with the remainder of the sentence in the following verse].”

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