- 12.1एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते ।Arjuna asks whether personal devotion or meditation on the unmanifest path is greater.
- 12.2मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ।Krishna says that steady devotion directed to Him is the highest form of yoga.
- 12.3ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते ।Krishna describes the path of those who seek the formless and unchanging Brahman.
- 12.4सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः ।Those who are disciplined, balanced, and compassionate also reach Krishna.
- 12.5क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् ।The formless path is harder for ordinary people because it demands greater inner discipline.
- 12.6ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः ।Krishna now describes the devotee who offers every action to Him.
- 12.7तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् ।Krishna promises to rescue such devotees from repeated suffering and rebirth.
- 12.8मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय ।Krishna tells Arjuna to direct both mind and intellect toward Him.
- 12.9अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् ।If full concentration is hard, Krishna gives the next best path: regular practice.
- 12.10अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।If meditation is difficult, dedicate your work to Krishna.
- 12.11अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः ।If devotion through action is hard, at least give up attachment to results.
- 12.12श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते ।Krishna ranks growth from study to meditation to letting go of results, with peace at the end.
- 12.13अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च ।A truly spiritual person is kind, humble, and even-minded.
- 12.14सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः ।Krishna values the person who is steady, content, and inwardly surrendered.
- 12.15यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः ।A mature devotee does not disturb others and is not easily disturbed.
- 12.16अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः ।Krishna cherishes the person who is clean in life and unattached in mind.
- 12.17यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति ।A devotee remains balanced and does not cling to outcomes.
- 12.18समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः ।Krishna praises equal vision in all situations and relationships.
- 12.19तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् ।A stable devotee does not depend on approval or outward comfort.
- 12.20ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते ।Krishna ends by honoring the devotee who lives this teaching with faith and purpose.
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