BHAGAVAD GITA - CHAPTER 12 - BHAKTHI YOGA

 

BHAGAVAD GITA

CHAPTER 12

BHAKTHI  YOGA

 

Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna's advice to the Confused Arjuna on the Battle field of Kurukshetra.

Each chapter of Bhagavad Gita is designated as a YOGA.

Here is a summary of Chapter.12. Bhakthi Yoga. There are totally  20 Slokas in it and I have given here a faithful description of what each Sloka says.

Overall, it is a description of  the Path of Devotion of Path of Bhakti. People can attain to Mukti or the abode of the Lord in many ways. One is the path of wisdom  or Jnana Yoga. then, Dhyana Yoga, Then Karma Yoga. Then Karma (or Karma Phala) Sanyasa Yoga and so on. Lord Krishna is describing each path. Some are more difficult like Jnana Yoga. Some are lesser and lesser difficult than the previous ones described by the Lord.  Bhakti Yiga is less difficult than all the above. Just surrender to the Lord totally and involve in his worship. The Lord is describing Bhakti Yoga in this chapter.

 

Now, let us go to the sloka-wise description :

 

First, Arjuna asks the Lord as follows :

1. In this way (as mentioned in Viswa Darsana Yoga), some devotees (Bhakthas) keep their minds focused on you (trying to see you in the Viswa Darsana form) and worship you.  Some Bhakthas worship your Unmanifest (avyaktha), and Imperishable form (Akshara roopa).

Among these two types of Devotees (Bhakthas), who are the ones who have really understood Yoga and you.

2. In answer, Lord Krishna says, as follows : Those who keep their whole heart on me always and worship me with the best of their respect and devotion (Sraddha) - they are the best of all Yogis. This is always my well considered opinion.

3.  Those who worship the imperishable (Akshara Brahma) form, (i) which is impossible to define, (ii) which is unmanifest in form (Avyaktha), (iii) which is present everywhere, (iv) which is beyond the ordinary thinking realm (Achinthyam), (v) which is non-moving (Achalam), and (vi) which is definite, and enduring forever (Dhruvam)....

4. Those who have kept under control all their senses (Indriyas), who treat everybody and everything as equal, and who work for the best interests of all beings, they attain to me.

5. But those who worship my unmanifest form and try to attain to it, their Sadhana (Practice) is much more difficult. That is because, the unmanifest Parabrahma form is very painful to attain for those who love their bodies.

6. Those who worship me, keeping me as the sole goal to attain, surrendering all their actions(Karmas) to me, and keeping their entire focus of meditation (yoga) only on me.....

7.  O Partha! I rescue very fast , all those who keep their heart totally on me and meditate on me alone, from the ocean of the death filled Samsara.

8. Therefore, Keep your mind totally on me. Keep your Buddhi or intellect totally in me. When you do this, you will always dwell in me. There is no doubt in this.

9. O Dhananjaya (Arjuna)! Even now(after hearing all this), if you are unable to keep your mind firmly in me, then you must desire to attain to me by constant practice of Meditation (Yoga).

10. If you are incapable of practicing even Meditation (Abyasa Yoga), then focus on performing those actions (Karmas) which are devoted on me. If you perform such actions (karmas) devoted to me always, then also, you can achieve your goal (Siddhi).

11. If you are incapable of doing even these Yoga Sadhanas (Performing meditation), then also, just take refuge in my Yoga, give up all attachments and give up the fruits of all Karmas (actions) and perform Karmas.

12. The Jnana or Wisdom path is superior to various practices (which are devoid of wisdom). But, Dhyana or Meditation is superior to Jnanam (or wisdom).

Giving up or renouncing  the Fruits of Actions (Karma Phala Tyagam) is superior even to Meditation.

When you renounce even the of fruits of your actions (Karma phala tyagam), peace immediately descends into your heart.

13. He who harbours no hatred at all towards any being, but has friendly feeling towards all beings, who is compassionate towards all, who has no attachment or love for any particular beings, who harbours no ego or pride, who treats equally all comforts and discomforts that come in life, he who excuses all for their faults....

 14.  He who is always contented, who always meditates (practices Yoga), who keeps control on all his senses, who has firm determination and who has surrendered his mind(manas) and his intellect (Buddhih) both to me - such a devotee (Bhaktha) of mine is very dear to me.

15. whoever is unafraid of the world and the world is also not afraid of whom, whoever has no jealousy, fear and likes and dislikes, that Bhakta is very dear to me.

16. He who harbours no desires, who is pure hearted, who is capable and competent,  who is indifferent to happiness and unhappiness, who is never sorrowful, who has given up ownership of all actions - such a devotee is very dear to me.

17.  He who never feels elated, never hates anyone, never becomes sorrowful, never desires anything and never seeks the good and bad results of any actions, such a devotee is very dear to me.

18.  He for whom enemies and friends are both same and equal, who displays equality for respect and for humiliation, who is indifferent to cold and hot climates, and comforts and discomforts.....

19. That devotee is very dear to me, who is indifferent to praise and abuse, who prefers  silence, who is contented with any small thing, who prefers no home and who is firm in his mind.

20.  Those devotees are most dear to me - who worship me with great respect (Sraddha) and  great interest in the manner described by me so far which is really the very nectar of righteous behaviour.

Conclusion : Here ends the twelfth chapter called Bhakthi Yogah - in the Yoga sasthra, which is a Part of the Brahma Vidya, in the Upanishad of Bhagavad Gita. It is a part of the Dialogue between Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna. It describes the Path of Devotion or Bhakthi.