#Gita Chapter 12 (English translation)
Chapter 12
YOGA OF THE PATH OF DEVOTION–BHAKTI YOGA
Arjuna speaks:
Which of those ever-steadfast devotees is better–those who worship You (in the manifest form as Ishvara) or those who meditate upon the Indestructible (as the unmanifest--Akshara)? II12.1II
Those who, fixing their mind on Me, worship Me, ever steadfast and endowed with supreme faith, these, in My opinion, are the best in yoga. II12.2II
(Verbatim from Swami Chinmayananda, The Holy Geeta)
Those who meditate upon That which is indestructible, undefinable, unmanifest, all-pervading, unchangeable, immovable, eternal … II12.3II
… having restrained the senses, even-minded at all times, engaged in the welfare of all beings–they too attain Me alone. II12.4II
The struggle is greater for those whose minds are set on the Unmanifest, because of the need to give up self-identification with the body. II12.5II
But those who renounce all actions (and the fruits of the action) in Me, regarding Me as the Supreme Goal, single-minded in their worship … II12.6II
… for those whose minds are absorbed in Me, I come without delay, to save them from the Ocean of Samsara (the cycle of life and death), Partha (Arjuna). II12.7II
Fix the mind on Me (as the Cosmic Person), rest the intellect in Me alone. Without doubt you will, hereafter, live in Me alone. II12.8II
If you cannot fix your mind firmly on Me, Dhananjaya (Arjuna), then you will need constant practice. II12.9II
If you are not even capable of a steady practice, then perform all your actions for My sake (dedicate your actions to Me) and you will attain perfection. II12.10II
And if you are unable to do this (dedicate your actions to Me), take refuge in Me, and with self-control, renounce the fruits of all action. II12.11II
Knowledge is indeed better than practice. Meditation (undertaken with that knowledge) surpasses even that knowledge. Renunciation of the fruits of action is even better than that meditation (undertaken with knowledge). From this renunciation, peace follows. II12.12II
(Verses 12.13 to 12.20 are collectively known as Amritashtakam–Eight verses of Divine Nectar.)
He who hates no creature, who is friendly and compassionate to all, who is free from attachment and ego, ever-balanced in joy and sorrow, forgiving … II12.13II
… ever content, always a yogi, focusing his being on Me, surrendering his mind and intellect to Me, such a devotee is dear to Me. II12.14II
He who does not agitate the world, nor is agitated by the world, he who is free from joy, anger, fear, and anxiety–(such a devotee) is dear to Me. II12.15II
He who has no desires, is pure, dexterous, impartial, free from fear, he who renounces all undertakings (which are essentially undertaken due to desire)--such a devotee is dear to Me. II12.16II
He who does not rejoice nor hate, who does not grieve nor desire, renouncing good and evil, is filled with devotion–(such a devotee) is dear to Me. II12.17II
He who is the same towards friend and enemy, is the same in honor and dishonor, in cold and heat, joy and sorrow, (he who) is free from attachment … II12.18II
… to whom praise and insult are the same, content with whatever (comes to him), who has no fixed home (for his thoughts; is not fixated), is of steady mind filled with devotion–(such a devotee) is dear to Me. II12.19II
Those who follow this immortal Dharma declared above, endowed with faith, regarding Me as the Supreme Goal–they are exceedingly dear to Me. II12.20II
Concluding verse:
Om! Such is the Truth in the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. This is the knowledge of Supreme Consciousness. It is a scripture of union; a dialogue between Sri Krishna (the teacher) and Arjuna (the student). The twelfth discourse ends, titled “Yoga of the Path of Devotion–Bhakthi Yoga”.