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XII - Path of Devotion
Lord Krishna said: Those ever steadfast devotees who worship with supreme faith by fixing their mind on a personal form of God, I
consider them to be the best devotees. (12.02) Those who worship the unchangeable, the inexplicable, the invisible, the omnipresent, the
inconceivable, the unchanging, the immovable, and the formless impersonal aspect of God; restraining all senses, even-minded under all
circumstances, engaged in the welfare of all creatures, also attain God. (12.03-04)
Self-realization is more difficult for those who fix their minds on an impersonal, un-manifest, and formless Absolute
because comprehension of the un-manifest by embodied beings is attained with difficulty. (12.05)
For those who worship the Supreme with unswerving devotion as their personal God, offer all actions to Me, intent on Me as the Supreme,
and meditate on Me; I swiftly become their savior from the world that is an ocean of death and transmigration, O Arjuna. (12.06-07) True
devotion is intense love for God.
Therefore, focus your mind on Me, and let your intellect dwell upon Me alone through meditation and contemplation. Thereafter you shall
certainly attain Me. (12.08) If you are unable to focus your mind steadily on Me, then long to attain Me by practice of any spiritual
discipline; such as a ritual, or deity worship that suits you. (12.09) If you are unable even to do any spiritual discipline, then be
intent on performing your duty just for Me. You shall attain perfection by doing your prescribed duty for Me --- without (selfish)
attachment --- just as an instrument to serve and please Me. (12.10) If you are unable to do your duty for Me, then just surrender unto
My will; renounce the attachment to, and the anxiety for, fruit of all work by learning to accept all results as God’s grace, with
equanimity. (12.11)
Transcendental knowledge of the scriptures is better than mere ritualistic practice; meditation is better than scriptural knowledge;
renunciation of selfish attachment to the fruit of work is better than meditation; peace immediately follows renunciation of selfish
attachment to the fruit of work. (12.12)
One who does not hate any creature, who is friendly and compassionate, free from the notion of ‘I’ and ‘my’, even-minded
in pleasure and pain (disappointment), forgiving; ever content, who has subdued his mind, whose resolve is firm,
whose mind and intellect are engaged on dwelling upon Me, who is devoted to Me, is dear to Me. (12.13-14) The
one by whom others are not perturbed and who is not perturbed by others, who is free from joy, envy, fear, and
anxiety, is also dear to Me. (12.15) One who is without desire, wise, impartial, and free from anxiety; who has
renounced the doer-ship in all undertakings; such a devotee is dear to Me. (12.16) The one who remains the same
towards friend or foe, in honor or disgrace, in heat or cold, in pleasure or pain (disappointment); who is free
from attachment; who is indifferent to censure or praise; who is quiet, and content with whatever one has; unattached
to a place, a country, or a house; equanimous, and full of devotion that person is dear to Me. (12.18-19) But
those faithful devotees, who set Me as their supreme goal and follow --- or just sincerely try to develop ---
the above-mentioned nectar of moral values are very dear to Me. (12.20)
Abbreviated By Harry Bhalla.
The numbers in parentheses are the chapter numbers and verse numbers respectively, of the Bhagavad-Gita. If any of this interests you, please visit: www.gita-society.com OR www.gita4free.com
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