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Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 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
12.312.5

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.4

Krishna describes devotional practice and progression

Īśvara · God

ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते ।

सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यं च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम् ॥ ३ ॥

सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धय: ।

ते प्राप्‍नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रता: ॥ ४ ॥

ye tv akṣaram anirdeśyam

avyaktaṁ paryupāsate

sarvatra-gam acintyaṁ ca

kūṭa-stham acalaṁ dhruvam

sanniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ

sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ

te prāpnuvanti mām eva

sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ

Translation

But those who fully worship the unmanifested, that which lies beyond the perception of the senses, the all-pervading, inconceivable, unchanging, fixed and immovable – the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth – by controlling the various senses and being equally disposed to everyone, such persons, engaged in the welfare of all, at last achieve Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

3 study points

Reaching Kṛṣṇa Indirectly

  1. 1

    Those who worship the unmanifested Absolute, control their senses, treat everyone equally and work for all beings’ welfare eventually reach Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that this indirect path is very difficult; perfect realization requires surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Practice controlling your senses and serving others without envy.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 12.3–4

Those who worship unmanifested will also reach Krishna eventually and surrender (Ref. Bg. 7.19 – Väsudeva realization after many births)

Characteristics of impersonal conception of Absolute Truth

1

Unmanifested

2

Beyond sense perception

3

All-pervading

4

Inconceivable

5

Unchanging

6

Fixed

7

Immovable

How to worship the Unmanifested

1

By controlling various senses

2

By being equally disposed to everyone

3

By engaging in welfare for all

4

Difficult for any common man, much penance involved before the ultimate realization of full surrender takes place

Connected verses · 1

Texts 12.4 And 12.5

Having replied that personal realization is superior, Krishna now informs Arjuna of the inferiority of the impersonalist’s process of realization.

Further reading

Bhakti Is Superior To Impersonalism

A worshipper of the ‘Impersonal feature’ is -

Less perfect

Undergoes more difficulty than one who worships Krishna with great faith and great attention

The path of devotion is recommended because

It is not only easier to follow but also,

Krishna personally takes charge of delivering His devotee

Chapter 12, section I: Bhakti Is Superior To Impersonalism
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yethose who
  2. tubut
  3. akṣaramthat which is beyond the perception of the senses
  4. anirdeśyamindefinite
  5. avyaktamunmanifested
  6. paryupāsatecompletely engage in worshiping
  7. sarvatra-gamall-pervading
  8. acintyaminconceivable
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 12.4 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 12 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 12.2Krishna describes devotional practice and progressionBG 12.3Krishna describes devotional practice and progressionBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted
Live this todayFix Your Mind on KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 12.8, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction