CHAPTER 12: BHAKTI YOGA - Narach Philosophy

The twelfth chapter, called "Bhakti Yoga" or "Yoga in relation to Devotion" examines the idea of the Supreme Creator according to Yoga and other systems of thought. Those who worship God are deemed most perfect in Yoga; but others who worship Prakriti with senses under control, intent on doing good to all, also attain to God; we have here an elaboration of the position stated in chapter nine.

We are also told that the idea of Unmanifest Prakriti is difficult to comprehend, that it is easier to think of God by means of concentration, practice, performance of actions in His name and renunciation of the fruit of one's actions.

Arjuna said:

Those ever-steadfast devotees,
Who worship thee, and those who seek
The Immortal and Unmanifest,
Who are more truly versed in Yoga?

The Blessed Lord said:

Who think of me with fixed mind,
And worship me devotedly,
And full of highest faith, I deem
The best of all in Yoga are they.

The Immortal, Indestructible
Who worship, and the Unmanifest,
Unthinkable, Unchangeable,
Eternal, fixed, and everywhere;

With senses all under control,
With Buddhi constant all around,
Intent on doing good to all,
They also do attain to me.

Only more difficult their task,
Who think of the Unmanifest
The goal of the Unmanifest
Is hard for the embodied ones.

But those who make me as their goal,
Renouncing all their deeds to me,
And worship me alone with Yoga,
Thinking of nothing else besides;

Whose mind is set on me alone,
Do I, O son of Pritha, soon
Deliver from this ocean deep
Of mortal life on earth below.

So do thou fix thy mind on me;
And place thy Buddhi in me thou,
And so wilt thou without a doubt
Abide in me for evermore.

But if thou canst not fix thy mind
On me alone unwaveringly,
Then meditate on me by Yoga,
And seek me, O Dhananjaya.

And if thou canst not meditate,
Perform thou actions for my sake;
Performing actions for my sake,
Wilt thou attain to perfect life.

If even this thou canst not do,
Then seek thou refuge in my Yoga;
And with thy soul under control,
Renounce the fruit of actions all.

More great than effort knowledge is;
Than knowledge, meditation more;
Renouncing fruit of action's more
Than meditation, giving peace.

Who beareth hatred unto none,
Is friendly and compassionate,
And free from selfishness and pride,
Patient, the same in joy and pain

Content, and always following Yoga,
With soul controlled, and firm resolve,
With mind and Buddhi fixed on me,
Dear is that devotee to me.

By whom the world is not disturbed
Nor by the world disturbed is he,
From agitation, fear and joy,
And envy free, is dear to me.

And pure and independent he,
Keen, undisturbed, and undistressed,
Renouncing all his actions too,
Dear is that devotee to me.

Who hateth not, rejoiceth not,
And grieveth not, nor hath desire,
Renouncing good and evil all,
Dear is that devotee to me.

Alike is he to friend and foe,
Alike in honour and disgrace;
ln cold and heat, and joy and pain
Alike, and from attachment free.

Alike in censure and in praise,
Silent, content with what may chance,
Without a home, with steady mind,
Dear is that devotee to me.

Who follow this immortal Dharma,
As I have now described to thee,
Endued with faith, and I their goal,
Dear are those devotees to me.

NOTES:

The Immortal, the unmanifest: This would refer either to Prakriti, or the supreme Purusha in his impersonal form. Krishna is a personal God, the deity of Vedanta; and here he distinguishes personal from his impersonal form, or Purusha from Prakriti.

Difficult their task: It is more difficult to understand or worship an impersonal God.