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Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

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Character & ethicsChapter 12 · Devotional Service
12.1512.17

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.16

The qualities of a devotee dear to Krishna

अनपेक्ष: श‍ुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथ: ।

सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भ‍क्त: स मे प्रिय: ॥ १६ ॥

anapekṣaḥ śucir dakṣa

udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ

sarvārambha-parityāgī

yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ

Translation

My devotee who is not dependent on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and not striving for some result, is very dear to Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

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

Dear to the Lord

  1. 1A 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.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that a devotee may work hard to build a temple for the Lord, but not a big house for personal relations.
  3. 3Rise early for devotional service and keep clean, both inwardly and outwardly.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 12, Devotional Service: the qualities of a devotee dear to krishna.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Cultivate divine qualities in character.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: daivī-sampat, dharma.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 12.16 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?

Practice

Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.

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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 12.13Qualities of a devotee dear to KrishnaBG 12.14The qualities of a devotee dear to KrishnaBG 16.21Lust, anger and greed lead toward degradation.

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

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Ask about BG 12.16 — 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.