chapter 12
भगवद्गीता
Chapter – 12
Bhakti Yoga
Verse 12.1
Sanskrit
अर्जुन उवाच |
एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते |
ये चाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः || १ ||
Transliteration
arjuna uvāca |
evaṁ satata-yuktā ye bhaktās tvāṁ paryupāsate |
ye cāpy akṣaram avyaktaṁ teṣāṁ ke yoga-vittamāḥ ||
English Translation
Arjuna said: Those devotees who, ever united, worship You thus, and those who worship the imperishable, unmanifest—which of them are the best knowers of Yoga?
Explanation
Arjuna begins Chapter 12, asking Krishna: "evaṁ satata-yuktāḥ ye bhaktāḥ" (those devotees ever united), "tvām paryupāsate" (worship You thus—personal form), "ye ca api akṣaram avyaktam" (and those who worship the imperishable, unmanifest), "teṣām ke yoga-vittamāḥ" (which are best knowers of Yoga)? He seeks to compare personal devotion with impersonal meditation.
Key Concepts
Arjuna contrasts personal and impersonal paths.
He seeks the superior Yoga.
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Verse 12.2
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते |
श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः || २ ||
Transliteration
śrī-bhagavān uvāca |
mayy āveśya mano ye māṁ nitya-yuktā upāsate |
śraddhayā parayopetās te me yuktatamā matāḥ ||
English Translation
The Blessed Lord said: Those who, fixing their minds on Me, worship Me, ever united, endowed with supreme faith—I consider them the best knowers of Yoga.
Explanation
Krishna ("śrī-bhagavān") answers: "ye mayi āveśya manaḥ" (those fixing minds on Me), "mām upāsate" (worship Me), "nitya-yuktāḥ" (ever united), "śraddhayā parayā upetāḥ" (endowed with supreme faith), "te me yuktatamāḥ matāḥ" (I consider them best knowers of Yoga). He favors personal devotion with faith as the highest Yoga.
Key Concepts
Devotion to Krishna is supreme.
Faith enhances Yoga’s mastery.
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Verse 12.3
Sanskrit
ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते |
सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यं च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम् || ३ ||
Transliteration
ye tv akṣaram anirdeśyam avyaktaṁ paryupāsate |
sarvatra-gam acintyaṁ ca kūṭa-stham acalaṁ dhruvam ||
English Translation
But those who worship the imperishable, indefinable, unmanifest, all-pervading, unthinkable, unchanging, immovable, eternal,
Explanation
Krishna describes the impersonal path: "ye tu" (but those who) "paryupāsate" (worship) "akṣaram" (imperishable), "anirdeśyam" (indefinable), "avyaktam" (unmanifest), "sarvatra-gam" (all-pervading), "acintyam" (unthinkable), "kūṭa-stham" (unchanging), "acalam" (immovable), "dhruvam" (eternal). He outlines the abstract qualities of the formless Brahman.
Key Concepts
Impersonal worship targets the abstract.
Brahman’s traits are boundless.
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Verse 12.4
Sanskrit
संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः |
ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः || ४ ||
Transliteration
saṁniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ |
te prāpnuvanti mām eva sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ ||
English Translation
Controlling all their senses, even-minded everywhere, devoted to the welfare of all beings—they too attain Me alone.
Explanation
Krishna continues: "saṁniyamya indriya-grāmam" (controlling all senses), "sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ" (even-minded everywhere), "sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ" (devoted to all beings’ welfare), "te prāpnuvanti mām eva" (they too attain Me alone). Impersonal seekers, through discipline and universal good, also reach him, affirming both paths’ validity.
Key Concepts
Discipline aids impersonal seekers.
Both paths converge on Krishna.
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Verse 12.5
Sanskrit
क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् |
अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहभृद्भिरवाप्यते || ५ ||
Transliteration
kleśo’dhika-taras teṣām avyaktāsakta-cetasām |
avyaktā hi gatir duḥkhaṁ dehabhṛdbhir avāpyate ||
English Translation
Greater is the difficulty for those whose minds are attached to the unmanifest; for the path to the unmanifest is hard to attain for embodied beings.
Explanation
Krishna contrasts: "kleśaḥ adhika-taraḥ teṣām" (greater difficulty for those) "avyakta-āsakta-cetasām" (minds attached to unmanifest), "avyaktā gatiḥ hi duḥkham" (path to unmanifest is hard), "dehabhṛdbhiḥ avāpyate" (attained by embodied beings). The impersonal path is more arduous due to the body’s limitations.
Key Concepts
Unmanifest path is tougher.
Body hinders abstract focus.
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Verse 12.6
Sanskrit
ये तु सर्वं कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः |
अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते || ६ ||
Transliteration
ye tu sarvaṁ karmāṇi mayi saṁnyasya mat-parāḥ |
ananyenaiva yogena māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate ||
English Translation
But those who, renouncing all actions in Me, devoted to Me as supreme, worship Me, meditating with unwavering Yoga,
Explanation
Krishna describes devotees: "ye tu" (but those who) "sarvam karmāṇi mayi saṁnyasya" (renouncing all actions in Me), "mat-parāḥ" (devoted to Me as supreme), "ananyena eva yogena" (with unwavering Yoga), "mām dhyāyantaḥ upāsate" (meditating, worship Me). He highlights the personal path of surrender and focus on him.
Key Concepts
Devotees surrender all to Krishna.
Single-minded focus defines them.
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Verse 12.7
Sanskrit
तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् |
भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम् || ७ ||
Transliteration
teṣām ahaṁ samuddhartā mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt |
bhavāmi nacirāt pārtha mayy āveśita-cetasām ||
English Translation
For them, whose minds are absorbed in Me, I become the deliverer from the ocean of death and samsara soon, O Partha.
Explanation
Krishna, addressing "pārtha," promises: "teṣām mayi āveśita-cetasām" (for them, minds absorbed in Me), "aham samuddhartā bhavāmi" (I become the deliverer), "mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt" (from ocean of death and samsara), "nacirāt" (soon). Devotees with focused minds receive swift liberation from him.
Key Concepts
Krishna rescues devotees quickly.
Absorption ensures deliverance.
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Verse 12.8
Sanskrit
मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय |
निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः || ८ ||
Transliteration
mayy eva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṁ niveśaya |
nivasiṣyasi mayy eva ata ūrdhvaṁ na saṁśayaḥ ||
English Translation
Fix your mind on Me alone, place your intellect in Me; you will dwell in Me thereafter, no doubt about it.
Explanation
Krishna instructs: "mayi eva manaḥ ādhatsva" (fix mind on Me alone), "mayi buddhim niveśaya" (place intellect in Me), "nivasiṣyasi mayi eva" (you will dwell in Me), "ataḥ ūrdhvam" (thereafter), "na saṁśayaḥ" (no doubt). Total mental and intellectual surrender ensures eternal union with him.
Key Concepts
Mind and intellect merge in Krishna.
Union is certain.
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Verse 12.9
Sanskrit
अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् |
अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मां इच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय || ९ ||
Transliteration
atha cittaṁ samādhātuṁ na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram |
abhyāsa-yogena tato māṁ icchāptuṁ dhanañjaya ||
English Translation
If you cannot steadily fix your mind on Me, then seek to reach Me, O Dhananjaya, by the Yoga of practice.
Explanation
Krishna, addressing "dhanañjaya," offers an alternative: "atha na śaknoṣi" (if you cannot) "samādhātum cittaṁ mayi sthiram" (steadily fix mind on Me), "tataḥ abhyāsa-yogena" (then by Yoga of practice), "mām iccha āptum" (seek to reach Me). If constant focus fails, disciplined practice can lead to him.
Key Concepts
Practice aids unsteady minds.
Effort bridges to Krishna.
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Verse 12.10
Sanskrit
अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव |
मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि || १० ||
Transliteration
abhyāse’py asamartho’si mat-karma-paramo bhava |
mad-artham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi ||
English Translation
If you are unable even in practice, be intent on My work; performing actions for My sake, you will attain perfection.
Explanation
Krishna continues: "abhyāse api asamarthaḥ asi" (if unable even in practice), "mat-karma-paramaḥ bhava" (be intent on My work), "mad-artham karmāṇi kurvan" (performing actions for My sake), "siddhim avāpsyasi" (you will attain perfection). If practice falters, selfless action for Krishna still leads to success.
Key Concepts
Selfless work for Krishna suffices.
Perfection comes through service.
Verse 12.11
Sanskrit
अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः |
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् || ११ ||
Transliteration
athaitad apy aśakto’si kartuṁ mad-yogam āśritaḥ |
sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ tataḥ kuru yatātmavān ||
English Translation
If you are unable even to do this, then, taking refuge in My Yoga, renounce the fruits of all actions, being self-controlled.
Explanation
Krishna continues his guidance: "atha etat api aśaktaḥ asi kartuṁ" (if unable even to do this—work for Me), "mad-yogam āśritaḥ" (taking refuge in My Yoga), "tataḥ kuru" (then do) "sarva-karma-phala-tyāgam" (renounce all action’s fruits), "yatātmavān" (being self-controlled). If service falters, surrendering outcomes with discipline still leads to him.
Key Concepts
Renunciation is the fallback path.
Self-control aids refuge in Krishna.
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Verse 12.12
Sanskrit
श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते |
ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् || १२ ||
Transliteration
śreyo hi jñānam abhyāsāt jñānād dhyānaṁ viśiṣyate |
dhyānāt karma-phala-tyāgas tyāgāc chāntir anantaram ||
English Translation
Better indeed is knowledge than practice; meditation surpasses knowledge; renunciation of action’s fruits surpasses meditation; from renunciation, peace follows immediately.
Explanation
Krishna ranks paths: "śreyaḥ hi jñānam abhyāsāt" (knowledge better than practice), "jñānāt dhyānam viśiṣyate" (meditation surpasses knowledge), "dhyānāt karma-phala-tyāgaḥ" (renunciation of fruits surpasses meditation), "tyāgāt śāntiḥ anantaram" (from renunciation, peace immediately). He outlines a progression, with renunciation yielding swift peace.
Key Concepts
Renunciation tops the hierarchy.
Peace is its direct fruit.
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Verse 12.13
Sanskrit
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च |
निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी || १३ ||
Transliteration
adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca |
nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī ||
English Translation
He who hates no being, is friendly and compassionate, free from attachment and ego, equal in pain and pleasure, forgiving,
Explanation
Krishna begins describing the ideal devotee: "adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānām" (hates no being), "maitraḥ karuṇaḥ eva ca" (friendly, compassionate), "nirmamaḥ nirahaṅkāraḥ" (free from attachment, ego), "sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ" (equal in pain, pleasure), "kṣamī" (forgiving). These qualities mark one who attains him through devotion or renunciation.
Key Concepts
Love and detachment define devotees.
Equanimity reflects inner peace.
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Verse 12.14
Sanskrit
सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः |
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः || १४ ||
Transliteration
santuṣṭaḥ satataṁ yogī yatātmā dṛḍha-niścayaḥ |
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ ||
English Translation
Ever content, the Yogi, self-controlled, firm in resolve, with mind and intellect offered to Me—he who is My devotee is dear to Me.
Explanation
Krishna continues: "santuṣṭaḥ satatam" (ever content), "yogī yatātmā" (Yogi, self-controlled), "dṛḍha-niścayaḥ" (firm in resolve), "mayi arpita-mano-buddhiḥ" (mind, intellect offered to Me), "yaḥ mad-bhaktaḥ" (who is My devotee), "sa me priyaḥ" (he is dear to Me). Such a steadfast, surrendered devotee holds Krishna’s affection.
Key Concepts
Contentment and resolve please Krishna.
Dedication endears the devotee.
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Verse 12.15
Sanskrit
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः |
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः || १५ ||
Transliteration
yasmān nodvijate loko lokān nodvijate ca yaḥ |
harṣāmarṣa-bhaya-udvegair mukto yaḥ sa ca me priyaḥ ||
English Translation
He by whom the world is not disturbed, and who is not disturbed by the world, free from joy, anger, fear, and agitation—he too is dear to Me.
Explanation
Krishna adds: "yasmāt lokaḥ na udvijate" (by whom world is not disturbed), "lokāt na udvijate ca yaḥ" (not disturbed by world), "harṣa-amarṣa-bhaya-udvegaiḥ muktaḥ" (free from joy, anger, fear, agitation), "saḥ ca me priyaḥ" (he too is dear to Me). Equanimity and harmlessness make one cherished by Krishna.
Key Concepts
Mutual peace marks the devotee.
Emotional freedom endears him.
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Verse 12.16
Sanskrit
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः |
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः || १६ ||
Transliteration
anapekṣaḥ śucir dakṣa udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ |
sarvārambha-parityāgī yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ ||
English Translation
He who is free from longing, pure, skilled, impartial, free from distress, renouncing all undertakings—he who is My devotee is dear to Me.
Explanation
Krishna lists: "anapekṣaḥ" (free from longing), "śuciḥ" (pure), "dakṣaḥ" (skilled), "udāsīnaḥ" (impartial), "gata-vyathaḥ" (free from distress), "sarva-ārambha-parityāgī" (renouncing all undertakings), "yaḥ mad-bhaktaḥ" (who is My devotee), "sa me priyaḥ" (he is dear to Me). A detached, serene devotee wins Krishna’s love.
Key Concepts
Detachment and purity please Krishna.
Renunciation enhances devotion.
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Verse 12.17
Sanskrit
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति |
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः || १७ ||
Transliteration
yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi na śocati na kāṅkṣati |
śubhāśubha-parityāgī bhaktimān yaḥ sa me priyaḥ ||
English Translation
He who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor desires, renouncing good and evil, full of devotion—he is dear to Me.
Explanation
Krishna describes: "yaḥ na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi" (neither rejoices nor hates), "na śocati na kāṅkṣati" (neither grieves nor desires), "śubha-aśubha-parityāgī" (renouncing good, evil), "bhaktimān" (full of devotion), "saḥ me priyaḥ" (he is dear to Me). Equanimity beyond dualities, paired with devotion, endears one to Krishna.
Key Concepts
Beyond dualities lies devotion.
Krishna cherishes this balance.
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Verse 12.18
Sanskrit
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः |
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः || १८ ||
Transliteration
samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca tathā mānāpamānayoḥ |
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu samaḥ saṅga-vivarjitaḥ ||
English Translation
Equal to friend and foe, and in honor and dishonor, equal in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, free from attachment,
Explanation
Krishna continues: "samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca" (equal to friend, foe), "tathā māna-apamānayoḥ" (and honor, dishonor), "śīta-uṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu samaḥ" (equal in cold, heat, pleasure, pain), "saṅga-vivarjitaḥ" (free from attachment). This devotee maintains equanimity across all opposites, detached from worldly ties.
Key Concepts
Equanimity transcends relationships, conditions.
Detachment supports equality.
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Verse 12.19
Sanskrit
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येनकेनचित् |
अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः || १९ ||
Transliteration
tulya-nindā-stutir maunī santuṣṭo yena-kenacit |
aniketaḥ sthira-matir bhaktimān me priyo naraḥ ||
English Translation
Equal to praise and blame, silent, content with anything, homeless, steady-minded, full of devotion—that man is dear to Me.
Explanation
Krishna adds: "tulya-nindā-stutiḥ" (equal to praise, blame), "maunī" (silent), "santuṣṭaḥ yena-kenacit" (content with anything), "aniketaḥ" (homeless), "sthira-matiḥ" (steady-minded), "bhaktimān" (full of devotion), "sa naraḥ me priyaḥ" (that man is dear to Me). This devotee’s inner stability and simplicity win Krishna’s affection.
Key Concepts
Steadiness ignores praise, blame.
Simple devotion earns love.
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Verse 12.20
Sanskrit
ये तु धम्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते |
श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः || २० ||
Transliteration
ye tu dharmyāmṛtam idaṁ yathoktaṁ paryupāsate |
śraddadhānā mat-paramā bhaktās te’tīva me priāḥ ||
English Translation
But those who faithfully follow this righteous nectar as taught, devoted to Me as supreme, those devotees are exceedingly dear to Me.
Explanation
Krishna concludes, addressing devotees: "ye tu" (but those who) "paryupāsate" (follow) "idam dharmyāmṛtam yathoktam" (this righteous nectar as taught), "śraddadhānāḥ" (faithfully), "mat-paramāḥ" (Me as supreme), "bhaktāḥ" (devotees), "te atīva me priāḥ" (they are exceedingly dear to Me). Faith and devotion to his teachings make them most beloved.
Key Concepts
Faithful devotion to Krishna’s words excels.
Such devotees are most cherished.