Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 12 Bhakti Yogah

Bhakti Yogah - Sri Krishna said: Those who fix their minds on Me, worship Me always with supreme faith, and are ever steadfast, are considered by Me to be the most perfect in Yoga.

श्रीभगवानुवाच मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते |
श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मता: ||2||

Sri Krishna said: Those who fix their minds on Me, worship Me always with supreme faith, and are ever steadfast, are considered by Me to be the most perfect in Yoga.

Shraddha: Supreme faith and devotion.
Upasana: The act of worship or meditation.

Krishna highlights the superiority of direct devotion with steadfast faith. This shloka emphasizes the simplicity and accessibility of focusing on a personal connection with the divine, contrasting with abstract paths that require greater mental discipline.

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Bhakti Yogah - But those who worship the imperishable, the indefinable, the unmanifest, the omnipresent, the inconceivable, the immutable, and the eternal,

ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते |
सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यञ्च कूटस्थमचलन्ध्रुवम् ||3||

But those who worship the imperishable, the indefinable, the unmanifest, the omnipresent, the inconceivable, the immutable, and the eternal,

Akshara: The imperishable and eternal.
Avyakta: The unmanifest, beyond perception.

The unmanifest path is introduced as one of abstraction and detachment. Krishna acknowledges this as a legitimate pursuit but subtly underscores its difficulty, particularly for those still deeply connected to worldly attachments.

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Bhakti Yogah - Having restrained all the senses, remaining even-minded everywhere, engaged in the welfare of all beings—such persons attain Me alone.

सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धय: |
ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रता: ||4||

Having restrained all the senses, remaining even-minded everywhere, engaged in the welfare of all beings—such persons attain Me alone.

Indriya: The senses and their control.
Samabuddhi: Evenness of mind or equanimity.

Krishna praises the qualities needed for the unmanifest path—self-restraint and universal goodwill. This commentary reinforces the idea that devotion to the unmanifest requires profound inner discipline and selflessness.

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Bhakti Yogah - Greater is the trouble of those whose minds are set on the unmanifest; for the unmanifest goal is very difficult for the embodied to reach.

क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् || अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दु:खं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते ||5||

Greater is the trouble of those whose minds are set on the unmanifest; for the unmanifest goal is very difficult for the embodied to reach.

Klesha: Difficulties or hardships.
Avyakta: The unmanifest, imperceptible state.

Krishna stresses the hardships faced by those who pursue the unmanifest path. He gently steers attention toward the more practical path of devotion to the manifest divine, which is less arduous for the embodied soul.

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Bhakti Yogah - But those who, dedicating all actions to Me and holding Me as their supreme goal, worship Me, meditating on Me with an undistracted mind—

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्न्यस्य मत्पर: |
अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ||6||

But those who, dedicating all actions to Me and holding Me as their supreme goal, worship Me, meditating on Me with an undistracted mind—

Karma: Actions performed selflessly.
Yoga: Union with the divine through devotion.

Selfless action dedicated to Krishna is portrayed as a viable and fulfilling path. This commentary expands on how such actions, performed without desire for results, help devotees remain connected and focused on their spiritual goals.

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तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् |
भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम् ||7||

To these whose minds are set on Me, O Partha, I become ere long the savior from the ocean of the mortal world.

Mrityusamsara: The ocean of birth and death.
Samuddharta: The savior or rescuer.

Krishna assures that unwavering devotion transforms mortal struggles into liberation. This builds on the earlier discussion, promising divine intervention for those who surrender their minds and actions to Him.

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मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय |
निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशय: ||8||

Fix your mind on Me, let your intellect dwell in Me; thereafter you shall live in Me alone. There is no doubt of this.

Manas: The mind, which must be focused.
Buddhi: The intellect, leading to realization.

Krishna advocates for wholehearted surrender of the mind and intellect. The commentary deepens the understanding of surrender as not only a practice but a state of being that ensures liberation.

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