Chapter 12: The Yoga of Devotion

Arjuna asks who is the better yogi: one who worships the personal form or the formless Absolute? Krishna affirms that both paths lead to him, but the path of devotion to his personal form is easier for embodied beings. He describes the qualities that make a devotee dear to him.

Verses (20)

12.1
अर्जुन उवाचएवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते।येचाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः।।12.1।।

Focus on your work itself rather than outcomes. Whether you pursue clear goals or embrace uncertainty, mastery comes from unwavering dedication to the...
12.2
श्री भगवानुवाचमय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते।श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः।।12.2।...

Focus your mind completely on your core purpose with unwavering commitment. This singular dedication transforms you into an exceptional performer in a...
12.3
ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते।सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यं च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम्।।12.3।।

Focus on unchanging principles and timeless values rather than fleeting circumstances. Leaders who anchor decisions in enduring truths navigate comple...
12.4
संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः।ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः।।12.4।।

Master your impulses, maintain emotional balance, and focus on serving others' wellbeing. This alignment naturally leads to your highest potential and...
12.5
क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम्। अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते।।12.5।।

Focus on concrete, measurable goals rather than abstract ideals. Clear objectives are easier to pursue and achieve than vague aspirations.
12.6
ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः।अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते।।12.6।।

Focus your efforts on a clear purpose larger than yourself, maintain unwavering concentration on that mission, and success naturally follows.
12.7
तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात्।भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम्।।12.7।।

Focus your mind on your highest purpose; clarity of vision naturally dissolves obstacles and guides you through life's challenges.
12.8
मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय।निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः।।12.8।।

Focus your attention completely on your core purpose. When your mind and judgment align with this singular aim, success becomes inevitable.
12.9
अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम्।अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय।।12.9।।

When you struggle to focus on your highest purpose, commit to consistent daily practice. Discipline builds what inspiration alone cannot.
12.10
अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव।मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन् सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि।।12.10।।

When you can't master meditation, focus on purposeful work aligned with your values. Excellence through action itself becomes your path to growth.
12.11
अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः।सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान्।।12.11।।

When you can't achieve your goals, focus on the process itself, stay mentally disciplined, and detach from outcomes. This builds resilience and reduce...
12.12
श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते।ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम्।।12.12।...

Focus on your work without attachment to outcomes. This detachment from results—not abandoning effort—brings lasting peace and clarity to decision-mak...
12.13
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च।निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी।।12.13।।

Lead with detachment from outcomes, compassion for all stakeholders, and emotional balance. This builds trust, resilience, and sustainable influence i...
12.14
सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः।मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः।।12.14।।

True excellence comes from mastering yourself through discipline, maintaining inner peace regardless of circumstances, and aligning your actions with ...
12.15
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः।हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः।।12.15।।

Stay unshaken by external chaos and internal turbulence. Leaders who maintain equanimity amid pressure earn trust and influence others most effectivel...
12.16
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः।सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः।।12.16।।

Focus on your work without attachment to outcomes. Stay impartial, fearless, and pure in intent—this mindset makes you an effective leader others trus...
12.17
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति।शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्ितमान्यः स मे प्रियः।।12.17।।

Master your emotions by accepting outcomes without attachment to results. This equanimity builds trust, resilience, and genuine leadership presence.
12.18
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः।शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः।।12.18।।

Equanimity amid changing circumstances—treating allies and adversaries equally, remaining unshaken by praise or criticism—builds unshakeable leadershi...
12.19
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येनकेनचित्।अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्ितमान्मे प्रियो नरः।।12.19।।

Equanimity amid praise and criticism, combined with unwavering focus on your purpose, defines true leadership excellence and resilience.
12.20
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते।श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः।।12.20।।

Leaders who commit to excellence as their highest purpose, grounded in integrity and consistent values, build unshakeable trust and lasting influence.