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Chapter12

Bhakti-yoga · 20 verses

Devotional Service

Devotional service and the qualities that make a devotee dear to Kṛṣṇa.

1 · Verse notes (20)2 · Stories (8)Read on Vedabase
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Verse notes

Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.

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  1. BG 12.1Devotion to Kṛṣṇa

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    • Arjuna asks who is more perfect: those serving Kṛṣṇa with devotion or those worshiping the unmanifested, impersonal Brahman.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotional service is the highest path and the easiest, most direct way to associate with Kṛṣṇa.
    • To seek Kṛṣṇa’s association, engage your energy in devotional service to Him.

  2. BG 12.2Devotion to Kṛṣṇa’s Personal Form

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    • Kṛṣṇa considers those who fix their minds on His personal form and always worship Him with great spiritual faith to be most perfect.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee does everything for Kṛṣṇa. Such constant devotion is full samādhi.
    • Devote your activities to Kṛṣṇa by chanting, reading about Him, cooking for Him, or cleaning His temple.

  3. BG 12.3The Indirect Path to Kṛṣṇa

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    • Those who worship the unmanifested Absolute Truth, control their senses, treat everyone equally and work for everyone's welfare eventually reach Kṛṣṇa.
    • Prabhupāda explains that this indirect path is very difficult. Perfect realization requires surrender to Kṛṣṇa.
    • Practice sense control and serve others, seeing the soul rather than the outer body.

  4. BG 12.4Reaching Kṛṣṇa Indirectly

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    • Those who worship the unmanifested Absolute, control their senses, treat everyone equally and work for all beings’ welfare eventually reach Kṛṣṇa.
    • Prabhupāda explains that this indirect path is very difficult; perfect realization requires surrender to Kṛṣṇa.
    • Practice controlling your senses and serving others without envy.

  5. BG 12.5Devotional Service Is Easier

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    • For souls living in bodies, progress toward the unmanifested, impersonal Supreme is very difficult.
    • Prabhupāda explains that direct devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is easier, natural for the soul, and the best path.
    • Under a genuine spiritual master's guidance, hear Kṛṣṇa's glories and offer service to His Deity form.

  6. BG 12.6Kṛṣṇa Delivers His Devotees

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    • Kṛṣṇa swiftly frees from birth and death those who offer all their activities to Him and keep their minds fixed on Him in steady devotion.
    • Prabhupāda explains that the Lord Himself takes responsibility for delivering His pure devotee. Devotional service is the path to the highest perfection.
    • Do your work to please Kṛṣṇa, and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa while remaining devoted to Him.

  7. BG 12.7Kṛṣṇa Swiftly Delivers His Devotees

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    • Kṛṣṇa swiftly rescues from birth and death those who offer all their work to Him and remain fully devoted, always thinking of Him.
    • Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa Himself takes responsibility for delivering His pure devotee; the devotee need not rely on yoga practice.
    • Do your work only to please Kṛṣṇa, and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa while serving Him.

  8. BG 12.8Live Always in Kṛṣṇa

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    • Kṛṣṇa says to fix your mind and all your intelligence on Him. Then you will always live in Him, without doubt.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotional service brings a direct relationship with Kṛṣṇa, beyond the material plane from the very beginning.
    • Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, knowing that the Lord and His holy name are nondifferent.

  9. BG 12.9Developing Love for Kṛṣṇa

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    • If you cannot keep your mind fixed on Kṛṣṇa, follow the rules of bhakti-yoga to develop a desire to attain Him.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotional practice purifies the senses and revives the natural love for Kṛṣṇa in everyone’s heart.
    • Under an expert spiritual master’s guidance, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, offer prayers, and regularly hear Bhagavad-gītā from pure devotees.

  10. BG 12.10Work for Kṛṣṇa

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    • If you cannot practice the rules of bhakti-yoga, Kṛṣṇa says to work for Him and reach perfection.
    • Prabhupāda explains that work done to satisfy Kṛṣṇa is spiritual activity and helps develop love for God.
    • Help devotees spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness through your labor or by giving some of your earnings.

  11. BG 12.11Giving Up Work’s Results

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    • If you cannot work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, try to give up all results of your work and become steady within yourself.
    • Prabhupāda explains that giving up these results gradually purifies the mind, helping one understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness and reach pure devotional service.
    • If difficulties prevent direct work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, give the results of your work to a good cause.

  12. BG 12.12Renunciation and Peace

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    • If you cannot follow this practice, cultivate knowledge. Meditation is better than knowledge, and giving up the fruits of action is better still, bringing peace of mind.
    • Prabhupāda explains that gradual progress is also good, but devotional service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa are the direct path stressed in Bhagavad-gītā.
    • Use the results of your work for a good cause rather than keeping them for yourself.

  13. BG 12.13A Devotee Dear to Kṛṣṇa

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    • A devotee who is kind to all, free from envy and false ego, and steady in devotional service is very dear to Kṛṣṇa.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee sees the Lord’s mercy even in hardship and remains calm, patient, and kind.
    • Practice kindness toward everyone, even those who oppose you, and remain steady in devotional service.

  14. BG 12.14A Devotee Dear to Kṛṣṇa

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    • A satisfied, self-controlled devotee who serves with determination, fixing mind and intelligence on Kṛṣṇa, is very dear to Him.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee sees the Lord’s mercy even in difficulties and remains calm, patient, and kind to everyone.
    • Follow the principles of devotional service, control your senses, and remain steady in the spiritual master’s instructions.

  15. BG 12.15Kind and Steady Devotee

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    • One who troubles no one and stays steady in happiness, distress, fear and anxiety is very dear to Kṛṣṇa.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotion to Kṛṣṇa and the Lord’s grace keep a devotee undisturbed by material circumstances.
    • Be kind to others, avoid causing them anxiety, and stay engaged in devotional service.

  16. BG 12.16Dear to the Lord

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    • A pure, expert devotee who does not depend on ordinary activities, is free from cares and pains, and does not strive for results is very dear to the Lord.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a devotee may work hard to build a temple for the Lord, but not a big house for personal relations.
    • Rise early for devotional service and keep clean, both inwardly and outwardly.

  17. BG 12.17Very Dear to Kṛṣṇa

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    • A devotee who neither rejoices nor grieves, neither laments nor desires, and gives up both auspicious and inauspicious things is very dear to Kṛṣṇa.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a pure devotee stays steady through material gain and loss and accepts risks to satisfy the Supreme Lord.
    • Keep serving Kṛṣṇa even when you lose something dear or do not get what you want.

  18. BG 12.18A Devotee’s Steady Heart

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    • A devotee who treats friends and enemies equally and stays steady in happiness and distress is very dear to Kṛṣṇa.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotional service naturally helps a devotee develop these good qualities.
    • Avoid bad association, speak about Kṛṣṇa rather than nonsense, and be satisfied in different conditions.

  19. BG 12.19A Devotee Dear to Kṛṣṇa

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    • A steady, satisfied person who remains equal in changing conditions and serves Kṛṣṇa with devotion is very dear to Him.
    • Prabhupāda explains that being silent means avoiding nonsense and speaking about Kṛṣṇa, not giving up speech.
    • Engage in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service; this naturally helps you develop a devotee’s good qualities.

  20. BG 12.20Very Dear to the Lord

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    • Those who fully follow this eternal path of devotional service with faith, making the Lord their supreme goal, are very, very dear to Him.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotional service is the best process of spiritual realization and the only absolute path to attaining the Supreme Lord.
    • Seek the company of pure devotees, learn from a genuine spiritual master, and hear, chant and follow devotional principles with faith.
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Stories

The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.

The story · Bhīṣma fights on the Kaurava side yet acknowledges Kṛṣṇa and remembers Him at death.

What the verses say · The connection is devotion with the mind fixed on Kṛṣṇa, who swiftly delivers His devoted worshipers from birth and death.

BG 12.2BG 12.6-7
Back to step 1Arjuna's journeyNext · Step 3 of 7 · 10 minThe key ideasSee how karma, the soul, devotion and surrender link together. Follow a guided path.