Chapter 12

भक्तियोग

The Path of Devotion (Bhaktiyoga)

Arjuna asks which is better, worshipping a personal God or the formless. Krishna gives a ladder of practice for every level of ability and then describes the qualities of a devotee he holds dear: free of hatred, friendly, compassionate, and the same in praise and blame.

Kindness, contentment and an even temper are the real signs of devotion.

12.1एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते।Arjuna asks Krishna: some devotees worship you as a personal God with constant dedication, while others worship the imperishable, formless Absolute. Of these two groups, who understands yoga (the path of union) better?
12.2मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते।Krishna replies: those who fix their minds on me, stay always connected to me, and worship me with supreme faith are, in my view, the most perfect in yoga.
12.3ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते।Krishna continues: there are also those who worship the imperishable that cannot be defined or seen, which is everywhere, beyond thought, unchanging at the core, unmoving and eternal.
12.4संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः।Such seekers, who control all their senses, keep an even mind in every situation, and delight in the welfare of all beings, also reach me, says Krishna.
12.5क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम्।But the struggle is greater for those whose minds are attached to the formless, Krishna explains, because for people living in a body, the formless goal is hard to reach.
12.6ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः।Krishna says: but those who offer all their actions to me, hold me as their highest goal, and meditate on me with undivided devotion, worshipping me...
12.7तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात्।...for them, whose minds are absorbed in me, I soon become the one who lifts them out of the ocean of repeated birth and death, O Partha (Arjuna).
12.8मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय।Krishna tells Arjuna: fix your mind on me alone and let your understanding rest in me. Then you will live in me from then on; there is no doubt about this.
12.9अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम्।If you cannot hold your mind steadily on me, Krishna says to Arjuna (Dhananjaya), then try to reach me through the yoga of steady, repeated practice.
12.10अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव।If you are unable even to practise, Krishna continues, then make working for me your highest aim. Even by doing actions for my sake, you will reach perfection.
12.11अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः।And if you cannot do even this, Krishna says, then take refuge in me, keep yourself in check, and let go of attachment to the results of all your actions.
12.12श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते।Krishna explains: knowledge is better than mere practice, and meditation is higher than knowledge. Giving up attachment to results is higher still, because peace follows immediately from that letting go.
12.13अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च।Krishna begins describing the devotee he loves: one who bears ill will towards no being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, steady in pain and pleasure, and forgiving...
12.14सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः।...one who is always content, disciplined, self-controlled and firm in resolve, with mind and understanding given to me: that devotee of mine is dear to me.
12.15यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः।Krishna says: the one who does not disturb the world, and is not disturbed by the world, who is free from excitement, resentment, fear and agitation, is dear to me.
12.16अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः।One who expects nothing, is pure and capable, stays impartial and untroubled, and has given up self-centred ambitions in every undertaking: that devotee of mine is dear to me, says Krishna.
12.17यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति।Krishna continues: one who neither gets carried away by joy nor hates, who neither grieves nor craves, who has let go of clinging to both pleasant and unpleasant outcomes, and is full of devotion, is dear to me.
12.18समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः।The one who treats enemy and friend alike, stays the same in honour and insult, in cold and heat, in pleasure and pain, and is free from attachment...
12.19तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येनकेनचित्।...who takes blame and praise alike, speaks little, is content with whatever comes, is not tied to a home, has a steady mind and is full of devotion: that person is dear to me, says Krishna.
12.20ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते।Krishna concludes: those who follow this life-giving teaching of dharma (righteous living) exactly as I have described it, with faith, holding me as their highest goal, are exceedingly dear to me.