Bhagavad Gita · Bhakti Yoga — The Yoga of Devotion
Chapter 12, Verse 10
"Bhagavad Gita 12.10" — meaning and explanation.
अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव | मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि
abhyāse.apyasamartho.asi matkarmaparamo bhava . madarthamapi karmāṇi kurvansiddhimavāpsyasi
Meaning
12.10 If thou art unable to practise even this Abhyasa Yoga, be thou intent on doing actions for My sake; even by doing actions for My sake, thou shalt attain perfection.
।।12.10।। यदि तुम अभ्यास में भी असमर्थ हो तो मत्कर्म परायण बनो; इस प्रकार मेरे लिए कर्मों को करते हुए भी तुम सिद्धि को प्राप्त करोगे।।
Explanation
12.10 अभ्यासे in practice? अपि also? असमर्थः not capable? असि (thou) art? मत्कर्मपरमः intent on doing actions for My sake? भव be? मदर्थम् for My sake? अपि also? कर्माणि actions? कुर्वन् by doing? सिद्धिम् perfection? अवाप्स्यसि thou shalt attain.Commentary Even if thou doest mee actions for My sake without practising Yoga thou shalt attain perfection. Thou shalt first attain purity of mind? then Yoga (concentration and meditation)? then knowledge and then ultimately perfection (Moksha or liberation). Serving humanity with Narayana Bhava (feeling that one is serving the Lord in all) is also doing actions for the sake of the Lord. such service should go hand in hand with worship of God and meditation.If you are not able to practise the Yoga of meditation mentioned in verse 8 or the Yoga of constant practice mentioned in verse 9? hear the glorious stories connected with the Lord by attending religious discourses? conducted by the devotees of the Lord? sing Kirtan and the praises of the Lord.Practise the nine kinds of Bhagavata Dharma (the nine modes of devotion). viz.? (1) hearing the Lilas (glorious and divine sports) of the Lord (Sravana)? (2) singing His Names (Kirtana)? (3) constant remembrance of the Lord and constant repetition of His Names or Mantras (Smarana)? (4) service of His feet (Padasevana)? (5) offering flowers in worship (Archana)? (6) doing prostrations to the Lord (Vandana)? (7) becoming His servant (Dasya)? (8) friendship with Him (Sakhya)? and (9) doing total selfsurrender to the Lord (Atmanivedana). (Cf.III.19XI.55)
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 12.10 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, verse 10, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 12.10
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 12.10 mean?
12.10 If thou art unable to practise even this Abhyasa Yoga, be thou intent on doing actions for My sake; even by doing actions for My sake, thou shalt attain perfection.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 12.10 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, verse 10, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.