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Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 12 · Devotional Service
12.412.6

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.5

Krishna describes devotional practice and progression

क्ल‍ेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् ।

अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दु:खं देहवद्भ‍िरवाप्यते ॥ ५ ॥

kleśo ’dhika-taras teṣām

avyaktāsakta-cetasām

avyaktā hi gatir duḥkhaṁ

dehavadbhir avāpyate

Translation

For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.

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.

Devotional Service Is Easier

  1. 1For souls living in bodies, progress toward the unmanifested, impersonal Supreme is very difficult.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that direct devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is easier, natural for the soul, and the best path.
  3. 3Under a genuine spiritual master's guidance, hear Kṛṣṇa's glories and offer service to His Deity form.

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.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 12.5 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

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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 12.5 — 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.