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Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 12 · Devotional Service
12.912.11

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.10

Krishna describes devotional practice and progression

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।

मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १० ॥

abhyāse ’py asamartho ’si

mat-karma-paramo bhava

mad-artham api karmāṇi

kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi

Translation

If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Work for Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1If you cannot practice the rules of bhakti-yoga, Kṛṣṇa says to work for Him and reach perfection.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that work done to satisfy Kṛṣṇa is spiritual activity and helps develop love for God.
  3. 3Help devotees spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness through your labor or by giving some of your earnings.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 12, Devotional Service: krishna describes devotional practice and progression.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 12.10 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 12 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 12.2Krishna describes devotional practice and progressionBG 12.3Krishna describes devotional practice and progressionBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 12.10 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.