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Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Bhakti & surrenderChapter 12 · Devotional Service

12.1 12.3

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.2

Krishna describes devotional practice and progression

Īśvara · God

श्रीभगवानुवाच

मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ।

श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मता: ॥ २ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

mayy āveśya mano ye māṁ

nitya-yuktā upāsate

śraddhayā parayopetās

te me yukta-tamā matāḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Devotion to Kṛṣṇa’s Personal Form

1
Kṛṣṇa considers those who fix their minds on His personal form and always worship Him with great spiritual faith to be most perfect.
2
Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee does everything for Kṛṣṇa. Such constant devotion is full samādhi.
3
Devote your activities to Kṛṣṇa by chanting, reading about Him, cooking for Him, or cleaning His temple.

Key points from the purport

Krishna answers — Those engaged in devotional service are most perfect because, they:

Fix their minds on ‘My’ personal form

Always engaged in worshipping ‘Me’

Worship ‘Me’ with great and transcendental faith

Krishna conscious activities are not material — Because everything is done for Krishna

A pure devotee is in ‘full samadhi’ –

Because of his constant engagement e.g. Chant, hears, cooks, shopping for Krishna, washes temple or dishes etc.

Does not pass a single moment without devoting his activities to Krishna

Connected verses · 1

Texts 12.2 And 12.3

Arjuna is happy to hear that devotional service is superior, but he wonders, “What is the attainment of an impersonalist, who, renouncing work, is able to ‘fully worship the unmanifested’?”