Okay, here are all 20 verses of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 (Bhakti Yoga - The Yoga of Devotion), presented with Sanskrit text, Hindi translation, English translation, explanation, relevant mood/scenario, and an emoji for each.
Chapter 12 is often called "Bhakti Yoga" as it focuses on the path of devotion, clarifying which method of spiritual practice (worshipping the personal vs. impersonal) is preferred by Krishna and describing the qualities of a true devotee.
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion)
12.1
- Sanskrit: अर्जुन उवाच। एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते। ये चाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः॥१॥
- Hindi: अर्जुन ने कहा। जो भक्त इस प्रकार निरंतर आपकी सगुण-साकार रूप की भक्ति में लगे हैं और जो अविनाशी, अव्यक्त ब्रह्म की उपासना करते हैं, इन दोनों प्रकार के उपासकों में से कौन योगियों में श्रेष्ठ है?
- English: Arjuna said: Those devotees who are ever steadfast and worship You with devotion, and those who worship the imperishable, unmanifest—of these, who are better versed in Yoga?
- Explanation: Arjuna starts the chapter by asking a pivotal question. He has heard about two paths: one focusing on devotion to Krishna's personal form, and the other on worshipping the impersonal, formless, eternal reality (Brahman). He wants to know which of these two approaches is considered superior or more effective.
- Mood/Scenario: Seeking clarity, Comparing spiritual paths, Initial inquiry about practice.
- Emoji: 🤔❓
12.2
- Sanskrit: श्री भगवानुवाच। मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते। श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः॥२॥
- Hindi: श्री भगवान ने कहा। जो मुझमें मन एकाग्र करके, परम श्रद्धा से नित्य मेरी सगुण-साकार रूप की उपासना करते हैं, वे मुझे परम योगी मानते हैं।
- English: The Blessed Lord said: Those who fix their minds on Me, and worship Me with great and transcendental faith, are considered by Me to be the most perfect yogis.
- Explanation: Krishna gives a direct answer. He declares that those who are constantly absorbed in worshipping His personal form with supreme faith are the most perfect practitioners of Yoga (those who are best united with the divine). This indicates His preference for the path of personal devotion.
- Mood/Scenario: Affirmation, Defining the highest path (from Krishna's view), Emphasis on faith and devotion.
- Emoji: ✅🏆
12.3
- Sanskrit: ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते। सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यं च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम्॥३॥
- Hindi: जो अविनाशी, अनिर्वचनीय, अव्यक्त, सर्वव्यापी, अचिन्त्य, कूटस्थ (स्थिर), अचल और ध्रुव (शाश्वत) ब्रह्म की उपासना करते हैं।
- English: But those who worship the imperishable, the indefinable, the unmanifest, the omnipresent, the unthinkable, the unchanging, the immovable, the eternal—
- Explanation: Krishna now describes the object of worship for the other path Arjuna mentioned: the impersonal Brahman. He lists its key characteristics – it's eternal, beyond definition, formless, all-pervading, incomprehensible to the material mind, steady, unmoving, and constant.
- Mood/Scenario: Describing the impersonal absolute, Philosophical description of reality.
- Emoji: 🌌✨
12.4
- Sanskrit: संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः। ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः॥४॥
- Hindi: वे इंद्रियों के समूह को अच्छी तरह से नियंत्रित करके, सर्वत्र समभाव रखते हुए और सभी प्राणियों के कल्याण में रत रहते हुए, वे भी मुझको ही प्राप्त करते हैं।
- English: Having restrained all senses, being equally disposed everywhere, and engaged in the welfare of all beings, they too attain Me.
- Explanation: This verse continues the description of those who worship the impersonal. It lists the qualities they must cultivate: complete control over the senses, equanimity towards all beings and situations, and selfless dedication to the welfare of all creatures. Krishna clarifies that even this path ultimately leads to Him, highlighting the unity of the goal.
- Mood/Scenario: Virtues for the impersonal path, Discipline, Equanimity, Compassion.
- Emoji: 🧘♀️🕊️
12.5
- Sanskrit: क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम्। अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते॥५॥
- Hindi: अव्यक्त में आसक्त चित्त वालों के लिए क्लेश अधिक होता है। क्योंकि देहधारियों द्वारा अव्यक्त की गति दुखपूर्वक प्राप्त की जाती है।
- English: Greater is the difficulty for those whose minds are set on the unmanifest; for the goal, the unmanifest, is hard to be reached by embodied beings.
- Explanation: Krishna explains the practical difficulty of the impersonal path for embodied beings. Because we live through senses, mind, and ego, focusing on the formless and abstract is inherently more challenging and involves greater struggle (klesha) than focusing on a personal form with which a relationship can be built.
- Mood/Scenario: Acknowledging difficulty, Practical challenge for embodied beings, The nature of the impersonal path.
- Emoji: ⛰️🚧
12.6
- Sanskrit: ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः। अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते॥६॥
- Hindi: जो सब कर्म मुझमें अर्पित करके, मुझ परायण होकर, अनन्य भक्ति योग द्वारा मेरा ध्यान करते हुए मेरी उपासना करते हैं।
- English: But those who worship Me, renouncing all actions in Me, regarding Me as the supreme goal, meditating on Me with exclusive devotion,
- Explanation: Krishna returns to describing the devotees of His personal form. He emphasizes dedication: they surrender all their actions to Him, consider Him the supreme goal, and meditate on Him with exclusive, unwavering devotion. This sets the stage for explaining why this path is easier.
- Mood/Scenario: Describing the devotee's dedication, Surrender, Single-pointed devotion.
- Emoji: 🙏💖
12.7
- Sanskrit: तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात्। भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम्॥७॥
- Hindi: हे पार्थ, उन मुझमें चित्त लगाने वालों का मैं मृत्यु-संसार-सागर से शीघ्र ही उद्धार करने वाला होता हूँ।
- English: For those whose minds are fixed on Me, O son of Pritha, I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of death-bound existence.
- Explanation: This is Krishna's assurance and the core reason for the devotional path's ease. For devotees whose consciousness is fixed on Him, He personally and swiftly rescues them from the cycle of birth and death (samsara), which is compared to a perilous ocean. Divine grace and intervention are key here.
- Mood/Scenario: Assurance, Promise of liberation, Divine rescue, Finding refuge, Ease of the devotional path.
- Emoji: 🚣♂️🌊💨
12.8
- Sanskrit: मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय। निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः॥८॥
- Hindi: मुझमें ही मन को लगाओ, मुझमें ही बुद्धि को स्थापित करो। इसके बाद निःसंदेह तुम मुझमें ही निवास करोगे।
- English: Just fix your mind on Me, and engage your intellect in Me. Thus you will always live in Me. Of this there is no doubt.
- Explanation: A direct, powerful instruction for the devotional path. Krishna tells Arjuna to place both his mind (emotions, thoughts, feelings) and his intellect (understanding, reasoning, decision-making) entirely upon Him. The guaranteed result is dwelling in the divine state, union with Him.
- Mood/Scenario: Direct instruction, Focusing the mind, Simple command for practice, Promise of union.
- Emoji: 🎯🧘♂️
12.9
- Sanskrit: अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम्। अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय॥९॥
- Hindi: हे धनंजय, यदि तुम मुझमें चित्त को स्थिर रूप से लगाने में समर्थ नहीं हो, तो अभ्यास योग द्वारा मुझे प्राप्त करने की इच्छा करो।
- English: If you cannot fix your mind steadily on Me, O Dhananjaya, then seek to reach Me through the Yoga of practice.
- Explanation: Recognizing that unwavering focus isn't easy for everyone immediately, Krishna offers a practical step-by-step approach. If perfect, steady focus (as in v12.8) is difficult, one should engage in 'Abhyasa Yoga' – the yoga of practice, meaning repeated, conscious effort to bring the mind back to the divine focus whenever it wanders.
- Mood/Scenario: Acknowledging difficulty, Offering practical steps, Encouraging consistent practice, Gradual approach.
- Emoji: 💪 repetir
12.10
- Sanskrit: अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव। मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि॥१०॥
- Hindi: यदि तुम अभ्यास करने में भी असमर्थ हो, तो मेरे लिए कर्म करने में तत्पर रहो। मेरे लिए कर्म करते हुए भी तुम सिद्धि को प्राप्त हो जाओगे।
- English: If you are unable even to practice, be intent on performing actions for Me. By performing actions for My sake, you will attain perfection.
- Explanation: If even consistent practice (Abhyasa) feels too hard, Krishna offers another alternative: dedicating one's actions to Him (Karma Yoga with a devotional orientation). Performing duties or any work as an offering to the divine purifies the mind and leads to spiritual perfection.
- Mood/Scenario: Offering alternatives, Action-oriented path, Sanctifying work, Finding purpose in service.
- Emoji: 🙏 diligently
12.11
- Sanskrit: अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः। सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान्॥११॥
- Hindi: यदि तुम यह (मेरे लिए कर्म करना) करने में भी असमर्थ हो, तो मेरे आश्रय में रहकर, अपनी आत्मा को वश में करके, सभी कर्मों के फल का त्याग करो।
- English: If you are unable to do even this, then take refuge in Me, giving up the results of all actions, being self-controlled.
- Explanation: This presents the final step in the progression. If even working for Krishna is difficult, one should take refuge in Him and renounce the results of all actions, while maintaining self-control. This is the essence of non-attachment to outcomes (Karma Phala Tyaga) combined with surrender (Ishvara Pranidhana).
- Mood/Scenario: Final alternative, Renunciation of results, Non-attachment, Surrender, Simplifying practice.
- Emoji: 🌬️👐
12.12
- Sanskrit: श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते। ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम्॥१२॥
- Hindi: अभ्यास से ज्ञान श्रेष्ठ है, ज्ञान से ध्यान श्रेष्ठ है, ध्यान से कर्मफल का त्याग श्रेष्ठ है, और त्याग से तत्काल शांति प्राप्त होती है।
- English: Better indeed is knowledge than practice; better than knowledge is meditation; better than meditation is renunciation of the results of action, for peace immediately follows renunciation.
- Explanation: Krishna provides a hierarchy among some spiritual practices mentioned earlier (practice, knowledge, meditation) and introduces the supreme value of renunciation of results (Karma Phala Tyaga). He states that while practice is good, knowledge is better; meditation is superior to mere knowledge; but renouncing the fruits of actions is the best, as it leads to immediate peace.
- Mood/Scenario: Hierarchy of practices, Value comparison, Path to peace, Emphasis on non-attachment.
- Emoji: 🪜✌️
12.13
- Sanskrit: अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहंकारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥१३॥
- Hindi: जो किसी प्राणी से द्वेष नहीं करता, सभी के प्रति मैत्री और करुणा भाव रखता है, ममता और अहंकार से रहित है, सुख-दुख में समभाव वाला और क्षमाशील है...
- English: One who does not hate any creature, who is friendly and compassionate to all, free from possessiveness and ego, same in pain and pleasure, and forgiving...
- Explanation: This verse begins a list (spanning several verses) describing the qualities of the devotee who is very dear to Krishna. It starts with fundamental virtues: absence of hatred, friendliness, compassion for all beings, freedom from possessiveness and ego, equanimity towards pain and pleasure, and forgiveness.
- Mood/Scenario: Defining ideal character, Virtues of a devotee, Universal love, Compassion.
- Emoji: ❤️🫂
12.14
- Sanskrit: सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः। मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः॥१४॥
- Hindi: जो निरंतर संतुष्ट रहता है, आत्मसंयमी है, दृढ़ निश्चय वाला है, जिसका मन और बुद्धि मुझमें अर्पित हैं, ऐसा मेरा भक्त मुझे प्रिय है।
- English: Ever content, self-controlled, with firm resolve, mind and intellect dedicated to Me, such a devotee is dear to Me.
- Explanation: Continuing the description: constant contentment (regardless of external circumstances), self-control, unwavering determination, and having completely dedicated one's mind and intellect to Krishna. Such a devotee is explicitly stated to be dear to Krishna.
- Mood/Scenario: Inner peace, Discipline, Determination, Dedication.
- Emoji: 😊 willpower
12.15
- Sanskrit: यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः। हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः॥१५॥
- Hindi: जिससे संसार उद्विग्न नहीं होता और जो संसार से उद्विग्न नहीं होता, जो हर्ष, अमर्ष (ईर्ष्या), भय और उद्वेगों से मुक्त है, वह भी मुझे प्रिय है।
- English: He by whom the world is not agitated, and who is not agitated by the world, who is free from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety—he is also dear to Me.
- Explanation: This verse describes the devotee's stable relationship with the external world. They do not cause distress to others, nor are they disturbed by others or by worldly events. They are free from strong emotional reactions like excessive joy, jealousy/anger, fear, and anxiety.
- Mood/Scenario: Inner stability, Calmness, Detachment from emotional extremes, Peaceful interaction with the world.
- Emoji: 🧘♀️ shield
12.16
- Sanskrit: अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः। सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः॥१६॥
- Hindi: जो अपेक्षाओं से रहित है, शुद्ध है, दक्ष है, उदासीन (पक्षपातरहित) है, व्यथाओं से मुक्त है, जिसने सभी कर्मों का आरम्भ त्याग दिया है (या कर्मों के फल का त्याग किया है), ऐसा मेरा भक्त मुझे प्रिय है।
- English: One who is independent of results, pure, expert, unconcerned (indifferent), free from all disturbances, having renounced all undertakings (or results of undertakings)—such a devotee is dear to Me.
- Explanation: More qualities of the dear devotee: absence of expectation or craving for results, inner and outer purity, competence/skill, impartiality/neutrality (not overly attached or averse), freedom from mental distress, and having given up the attachment to the results of actions or the egoistic initiation of activities.
- Mood/Scenario: Non-attachment, Purity, Skill, Impartiality, Inner freedom.
- Emoji: ✨ impartial
12.17
- Sanskrit: यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति। शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः॥१७॥
- Hindi: जो न हर्षित होता है न द्वेष करता है, न शोक करता है न कामना करता है, जो शुभ और अशुभ (फल) दोनों का त्यागी है, वह भक्त मुझे प्रिय है।
- English: One who neither rejoices nor dislikes, neither grieves nor desires, who has renounced both good and bad (results)—such a devotee is dear to Me.
- Explanation: This highlights the devotee's transcendence of pairs of opposites related to emotional reactions: they don't overly rejoice in the pleasant or dislike the unpleasant, nor do they grieve over loss or strongly crave gain. They have renounced attachment to the results of both auspicious (punya) and inauspicious (papa) actions.
- Mood/Scenario: Transcendence of dualities, Emotional equanimity, Non-reaction to events.
- Emoji: ⚖️🧘
12.18
- Sanskrit: समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः। शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः॥१८॥
- Hindi: जो शत्रु और मित्र के प्रति समभाव रखता है, वैसे ही मान और अपमान में भी, जो सर्दी और गर्मी, सुख और दुख में समभाव वाला है, और आसक्ति से रहित है।
- English: One who is the same to friend and foe, and also in honor and dishonor, the same in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, free from attachment—
- Explanation: Equanimity is emphasized again, but in specific contexts: towards friends and enemies, in situations of honor and dishonor, and towards physical or emotional dualities like heat and cold, pleasure and pain. Freedom from attachment is the underlying quality enabling this equanimity.
- Mood/Scenario: Radical Equanimity, Transcendence of social judgment and physical discomfort, Non-attachment.
- Emoji: 🙏⚖️
12.19
- Sanskrit: तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित्। अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः॥१९॥
- Hindi: जिसकी निंदा और स्तुति समान है, जो मौनी (कम बोलने वाला/मननशील) है, जो किसी भी स्थिति में संतुष्ट है, जिसके लिए कोई निश्चित घर नहीं है (यानी अनासक्त), स्थिर बुद्धि वाला और भक्तिमान है, वह व्यक्ति मुझे प्रिय है।
- English: To whom censure and praise are the same, who is silent (restrained in speech), content with anything, houseless (free from excessive attachment to home), of steady mind, full of devotion—that person is dear to Me.
- Explanation: This verse concludes the list of qualities: remaining the same in the face of criticism or praise, being silent (restrained in speech or deeply contemplative), being content with whatever comes spontaneously, being free from excessive attachment to a particular home or possessions (aniketah), having a steady mind, and being full of devotion.
- Mood/Scenario: Transcendence of social judgment, Inner steadiness, Simplicity, Contentment, Devotion as the foundation.
- Emoji: 🏠❌🧘
12.20
- Sanskrit: ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते। श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः॥२०॥
- Hindi: जो इस कहे हुए धर्म रूपी अमृत का श्रद्धापूर्वक अनुसरण करते हैं, और मुझको परम आश्रय मानते हैं, ऐसे भक्त मुझे अत्यंत प्रिय हैं।
- English: But those who follow this immortal path of Dharma as described, with faith, regarding Me as the supreme goal—those devotees are exceedingly dear to Me.
- Explanation: This is the concluding verse of the chapter. Krishna summarizes by saying that those who follow the path of virtuous living (Dharma) as described throughout this chapter (which implicitly means cultivating the qualities of the devotee) with faith, and who regard Him as the supreme goal and refuge, are exceedingly dear to Him. This emphasizes faith and the practice of the described virtues as the essence of this immortal path (Dharmyamritam).
- Mood/Scenario: Conclusion, Reaffirmation of the path, Emphasis on faith and the ultimate goal, Highest praise for the devotee.
- Emoji: ✨❤️🌟