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Chapter 12 · Devotional Service · 20 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 12 · Devotional Service
12.812.10

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 12.9

Krishna describes devotional practice and progression

अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्न‍ोषि मयि स्थिरम् ।

अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्‍तुं धनञ्जय ॥ ९ ॥

atha cittaṁ samādhātuṁ

na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram

abhyāsa-yogena tato

mām icchāptuṁ dhanañ-jaya

Translation

My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain 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.

Developing Love for Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1If you cannot keep your mind fixed on Kṛṣṇa, follow the rules of bhakti-yoga to develop a desire to attain Him.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that devotional practice purifies the senses and revives the natural love for Kṛṣṇa in everyone’s heart.
  3. 3Under an expert spiritual master’s guidance, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, offer prayers, and regularly hear Bhagavad-gītā from pure devotees.

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 12.9 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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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.