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Chapter 12 · 20 verses

Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Devotion

अध्याय 12 — भक्तियोग

The path of loving devotion, step-by-step practices for every level, and the qualities of the devotee who is dear to God.

प्रेम भक्ति का मार्ग, हर स्तर के साधक के लिए क्रमशः साधन, और उस भक्त के गुण जो भगवान को प्रिय है।

  1. Verse 12.1एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते …Arjuna asks which worshippers know yoga best: those who are always devoted to Krishna in his personal form, or those who worship the imperishable, unmanifest reality.
  2. Verse 12.2मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते …Krishna says those who fix their minds on him and worship him with constant devotion and supreme faith are, in his view, the most united with him.
  3. Verse 12.3ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते …Krishna turns to those who worship the imperishable that cannot be described, unmanifest, all-pervading, beyond thought, unchanging, unmoving and eternal.
  4. Verse 12.4संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः …Those who control their senses, are even-minded toward everything and delight in the welfare of all beings, also reach Krishna.
  5. Verse 12.5क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् …But the path is harder for those whose minds are set on the unmanifest, because it is difficult for embodied beings to reach a goal that has no form.
  6. Verse 12.6ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः …But those who offer all their actions to Krishna, take him as their highest goal, and worship him with undivided meditation —
  7. Verse 12.7तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् …— for them, whose minds are absorbed in him, Krishna soon becomes the rescuer from the ocean of death and rebirth.
  8. Verse 12.8मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय …Krishna says: fix your mind on me alone and let your understanding rest in me; then you will live in me, without any doubt.
  9. Verse 12.9अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् …If you cannot keep your mind steady on Krishna, then seek to reach him through regular practice.
  10. Verse 12.10अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव …If you cannot even practice, then make working for Krishna your highest aim; just by doing actions for his sake, you will reach perfection.
  11. Verse 12.11अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः …If even this is too hard, then take refuge in Krishna, control yourself, and give up attachment to the results of all your actions.
  12. Verse 12.12श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते …Knowledge is better than mere practice, meditation is better than knowledge, and letting go of the fruits of action is better than meditation, because peace follows such letting go immediately.
  13. Verse 12.13अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च …Krishna describes a devotee dear to him: one who bears no hatred toward any being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, even-minded in pain and pleasure, and forgiving.
  14. Verse 12.14सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः …Such a person is always content, disciplined and firm in resolve, with mind and intellect offered to Krishna; such a devotee is dear to him.
  15. Verse 12.15यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः …One who does not disturb the world and is not disturbed by it, who is free from excitement, envy, fear and anxiety, is dear to Krishna.
  16. Verse 12.16अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः …One who wants nothing, is pure, capable, impartial and free from worry, and who has given up selfish undertakings, is a devotee dear to Krishna.
  17. Verse 12.17यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति …One who neither rejoices wildly nor hates, neither grieves nor craves, and has let go of both good and bad outcomes, full of devotion, is dear to Krishna.
  18. Verse 12.18समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः …One who is the same toward enemy and friend, in honor and insult, in cold and heat, in pleasure and pain, and free from attachment —
  19. Verse 12.19तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येनकेनचित् …— who takes blame and praise alike, speaks little, is content with whatever comes, is not attached to a home, and is steady in mind and devoted, is dear to Krishna.
  20. Verse 12.20ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते …Those who follow this life-giving teaching exactly as described, with faith and taking Krishna as their highest goal, are exceedingly dear to him.