Bhakti Yoga

एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते। ये चाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः॥ 12:1॥

Some devotees are deeply devoted to you, the Embodiment of God, and worship you accordingly. Others worship the Immutable, Formless aspect of God. Which of these two types of spiritual seekers possesses a deeper understanding of the science of spirituality (Yoga). (12:1)

मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते। श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः॥ 12:2॥

Those who worship Me (the Personified God) with utmost love and reverence, with hearts brimming with devotion and minds ceaselessly immersed in thoughts of Me, are the most knowledgeable in the science of spirituality (Yoga). (12:2)

ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते। सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यञ्च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम्‌॥ 12:3॥ सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः। ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः॥ 12:4॥

But those who worship the One {Formless God} that is Omnipresent, Indeterminate, Unchangeable, Constant, Immovable, and beyond the scope of the human intellect, (12:3) By maintaining complete control over all their senses, remaining equanimous in all situations, and being devoted to the welfare of all beings, they also attain Me. (12:4)

क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम्। अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते॥ 12:5॥

Devotion to the Formless entails significant hardship, as the journey toward the Formless Absolute is challenging for those bound within a physical body. (12:5)

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परा:। अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते॥ 12:6॥

However, those who are fervent devotees of Mine, consecrating all their actions to Me worshiping Me (the Personified God) exclusively with unwavering and undivided devotion, and constantly immersed in thoughts of Me, (12:6)

तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात्। भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम्॥ 12:7॥

O, Pārtha! Such impassioned loving devotees I soon pull out of the ocean of mortality. (12:7)

मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय। निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः॥ 12:8॥

If you fixate your mind on Me, invest your intelligence in Me, you will dwell in Me alone without a doubt. (12:8)

अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम्। अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय॥ 12:9॥

However, if you find it challenging to keep your mind steadily focused on Me, then turn to the consistent practice to reach Me, O, Dhananjay! (12:9)

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव। मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि॥ 12:10॥

If you are unable keep your mind focused on Me, then learn the art of working for Me. By working for Me, you will attain success in reaching Me even while remaining engaged in activities. (12:10)

अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः। सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान्॥ 12:11॥

If, however, you are unable to follow the spiritual path {of working for Me}, then with self-control, renounce {attachment to} the fruits of all your actions. (12:11)

श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते। ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम्॥12:12॥

Knowledge is superior to {routine} practice, meditation is superior to {scriptural} knowledge, but more distinctive is the renunciation of the {attachment to} fruits of action. With such renunciation, mental peace is attained instantly. (12:12)

अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥ 12:13॥ सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः। मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः॥ 12:14॥

The spiritual seeker who has malice toward none, is friendly and kindhearted, is free from false ego and bereft of a {heightened} sense of ownership {toward worldly possessions}; equipoised in pleasure and pain, and is forgiving; (12:13) One who is consistently content, exercises self-control, remains resolute in their virtuous intentions, and has surrendered their heart and mind to Me—such a loving devotee, I hold a deep affection for; (12:14)

यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः। हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः॥ 12:15॥

I truly love someone who speaks and behaves in a way that doesn't disturb others' peace of mind and remains calm in challenging situations, free from lust, jealousy, fear, and agitation. (12:15)

अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः। सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः॥ 12:16॥

The one who has no expectations, is virtuous yet skillful, remains impartial, does not tend toward grieving, and does not undertake actions with attachment to outcomes—this loving devotee of Mine is dear to Me; (12:16)

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति। शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः॥ 12:17॥

Someone who does not experience momentary surges of joy, hatred, lamentation, or worldly desires, and has renounced dualistic thinking of the auspicious and inauspicious—such a loving devotee of Mine, I truly cherish; (12:17)

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः। शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः॥ 12:18॥

The one who remains balanced in the face of extremes like hot and cold, pleasure and pain, friend and foe, honor and dishonor, and has transcended worldly attachments, is the one I genuinely love; (12:18)

तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित्। अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः॥ 12:19॥

He who remains indifferent to both praise and blame, observes silence, is content with what naturally comes his way, is not attached to the abode, and has attained mental steadfastness, is a loving devotee I truly cherish; (12:19)

ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते। श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः॥ 12:20॥

However, those devoted followers who adhere to the principles of religion I have outlined above are extremely dear to Me. (12:20)