Bhakti Yoga

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: Between those devotees who, ever steadfast, worship You with love, and those who worship the Imperishable, the Unmanifest—which of these are more perfect in yoga?

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: Those who, fixing their minds on Me, worship Me, ever steadfast and endowed with supreme faith—these I hold to be the most perfect in yoga.

ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते |

But those who worship the Imperishable, the Indefinable, the Unmanifest, the All-pervading, the Inconceivable, the Changeless, the Immovable, and the Eternal...

सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः |

Having restrained all their senses, being even-minded under all conditions, and actively engaged in the welfare of all beings—they also reach Me alone.

क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् |

Greater is the struggle of those whose minds are attached to the Unmanifest; for the path of the Unmanifest is difficult for embodied beings to attain.

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः |

But those who surrender all their actions unto Me, regarding Me as the supreme goal, and worship Me, meditating on Me with unswerving devotion...

तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् |

For them, whose minds are thus absorbed in Me, O Partha, I quickly become the savior who lifts them out of the ocean of the mortal world (Samsara).

मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय |

Fix your mind on Me alone, let your intellect rest in Me; you shall then live in Me alone hereafter, of this there is no doubt.

अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् |

If you are unable to fix your mind steadily on Me, then, O Dhananjaya, seek to reach Me by the yoga of constant practice.

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव |

If you are unable even to practice, then be intent on doing My work. Even by performing actions for My sake, you shall attain perfection.

अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः |

If you are unable to do even this, then taking refuge in My yoga, perform all actions surrendering their fruits, with a self-controlled mind.

श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते |

Knowledge is indeed better than mechanical practice; meditation is superior to mere knowledge; renunciation of the fruits of action is better than meditation; and peace immediately follows such renunciation.

अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च |

He who does not hate any living being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from the sense of ownership and ego, even-minded in pleasure and pain, and forgiving...

सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः |

He who is always content, self-controlled, possessed of firm conviction, with mind and intellect dedicated to Me—that devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.

यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः |

He by whom the world is not agitated, and who is not agitated by the world, who is free from the agitations of joy, anger, fear, and anxiety—he is dear to Me.

अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः |

He who is free from expectations, pure, efficient, indifferent, free from anxiety, and has renounced all egoistic undertakings—such a devotee of Mine is dear to Me.

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति |

He who neither rejoices nor hates, who neither grieves nor desires, who renounces both good and evil fortunes, and is full of devotion—he is dear to Me.

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः |

He who is equal to friend and enemy, and also in honor and dishonor, who is the same in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, and who is free from all attachment...

तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् |

He who regards praise and blame as equal, who is silent, content with whatever comes, homeless, steady-minded, and full of devotion—that person is very dear to Me.

ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते |

But those who follow this immortal nectar of Dharma as taught above, endowed with faith, holding Me as the supreme goal—these devotees are exceedingly dear to Me.