THE TWELFTH CHAPTER
Arjuna spoke: “O Lord, as You have previously stated, who among those who worship You with love, constantly chant Your name, and adore Your formless, imperishable aspect, is considered Your greatest devotee? Please enlighten me.”
Upon hearing Arjuna’s question, Lord Krishna replied:
"O Arjuna! Those who always worship Me with their hearts devoted to Me, chanting My Name and keeping Me in their thoughts, are indeed the finest of devotees. Those who worship My infinite, imperishable, omnipresent, eternal, colorless, formless self—the benefactor of all, who understands the human senses and treats friends and foes alike—also reach Me. However, those who worship the formless aspect endure much hardship and suffering; thus, it is exceedingly difficult for humans to worship what cannot be seen or perceived. Therefore, those who remember and meditate upon My embodied form are truly complete yogis.
O Arjuna! Those who dedicate all their actions to Me, rely on Me, worship Me, and meditate on Me—I swiftly deliver such devotees from this transient world. If you find it challenging to focus your mind on Me at once, then gradually train your restless mind towards Me and strive to attain Me. If you still cannot concentrate on Me slowly, then engage in My worship through bhajans (devotional songs), aartis (rituals), and by chanting My Name. By doing so, you too shall be liberated.
If even this proves difficult for you, then seek My assistance; control your mind and relinquish all fruits of your actions. All that I have described is the path of devotion (Bhakti Marg), known as the practice of Bhakti Yoga.
O Arjuna! Practicing bhakti-yoga with knowledge is superior to doing so in ignorance because one who practices with knowledge does not prostrate before anyone else but worships Me with a steadfast heart. Therefore, practicing bhakti-yoga with knowledge is preferable, and practicing dhyana-yoga (meditative yoga) with knowledge is even better—that is, to chant My name while meditating upon My image within the heart.
Now listen to the characteristics of My yogis—My devotees—who harbor no animosity towards any being; who are loving towards all; who wish well for everyone; who have renounced ego and attachment; who are always content; who view happiness and sorrow equally; who do not anger easily; who are satisfied with whatever little they receive; who exercise self-control; and who constantly chant My name with their minds and intellects focused on Me.
My true devotee is one who loves Me—who harms no one, feels no joy in others’ pain, neither instills fear nor fears anyone. If they gain something, they do not exult; if they lack something, they do not despair. Such a fearless and ever-content devotee who desires nothing but Me and does not slacken in performing righteous deeds for My sake is very dear to me.
One who remains unelated upon receiving what they desire and does not become angry when deprived of it—who does not crave anything and remains indifferent to joy and sorrow—is dear to me. One who treats friend and foe alike; regards honor and dishonor equally; endures heat and cold alike; accepts pleasure and pain alike; remains unaffected by criticism or praise—such a person absorbed in silent meditation upon worldly pleasures is dear to me. A devotee with unwavering faith—who considers me supreme, engages in my meditation, follows my teachings as nectar—is very dear to me."
ITI SHRIMADBHAGWADGEETASUPANISHATSHU BRAHMAVIDYAYAM YOGSHASTRE SHRIKRISHNAARJUN SAMVADE BHAKTI YOGONAM DVADASHOADHYAYAH ॥12॥
|| SHRIKRISHAN ARPAN MASTU ||
