Shrimad Bhagavad Gita · 20 verses
Chapter 12: The Yoga of Devotion
Devotion is the simplest path. Krishna lists the qualities of a beloved devotee: free of hatred, friendly and kind to all, and forgiving.
All verses, with meaning
12.1Form or formless?Arjuna said: Some devotees, always steady, worship you with love in your personal form; ot…12.2The best devoteesShri Krishna said: Those who fix their minds on me, stay always connected, and worship me …12.3Worship of the formlessThose who worship the imperishable — beyond words, unseen, everywhere, beyond thought, unc…12.4They too reach Himwho control all their senses, keep an equal mind everywhere, and delight in the good of al…12.5The harder pathBut the struggle is greater for those whose minds are set on the unmanifest. For embodied …12.6Offering all actionsBut those who offer all their actions to me, keep me as their highest goal, and worship me…12.7Rescued from the ocean of deathfor them, whose minds have entered into me, I soon become the one who lifts them out of th…12.8Fix your mind on HimFix your mind on me alone and rest your understanding in me. Then, without doubt, you will…12.9The path of practiceIf you cannot keep your mind steadily on me, then seek to reach me through regular practic…12.10Work done for GodIf you cannot even practise, then make working for me your highest aim. Even by doing acti…12.11Letting go of resultsIf you cannot do even this, then take refuge in me, control yourself, and give up the frui…12.12Peace through letting goKnowledge is better than mechanical practice, and meditation is better than knowledge. Bet…12.13Friendly and compassionateOne who hates no being, who is friendly and kind to all, free from "mine" and from ego, eq…12.14Mind and intellect offeredwho is always content, steady in yoga, self-controlled and firm in resolve, with mind and …12.15Neither troubles nor troubledOne who causes no distress to the world and is not disturbed by the world, who is free fro…12.16Pure and unworriedOne who wants nothing, is pure and capable, stays impartial and untroubled, and has given …12.17Beyond good and bad outcomesOne who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor craves, and has let go of both goo…12.18Same to friend and foeOne who is the same toward enemy and friend, in honour and insult, in cold and heat, in pl…12.19Steady in praise and blamewho takes praise and blame alike, speaks little, is content with whatever comes, is not ti…12.20Most dear to HimBut those who follow this nectar of dharma just as I have told it, with faith, and holding…