Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 16

Chapter 12 – Bhakti Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः ।
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥

Transliteration

anapekṣaḥ śucirdakṣa udāsīno gatavyathaḥ .
sarvārambhaparityāgī yo madbhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ ॥

Meaning

One who is free from expectation, pure, skilful, impartial, free from distress and a renouncer of all undertakings, such a devotee of Mine is dear to Me.

Word meanings

अनपेक्षः – free from expectation
शुचिः – pure
दक्षः – skilful, alert
उदासीनः – impartial, unconcerned
गतव्यथः – free from distress
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी – renouncing all undertakings
यः मद्भक्तः – who is My devotee
सः मे प्रियः – he is dear to Me

Anvaya (word order)

यः अनपेक्षः, शुचिः, दक्षः, उदासीनः, गतव्यथः, सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी मद्भक्तः (अस्ति), सः मे प्रियः ।

Explanation

This verse has six qualities, each of which removes some misconceptions. Interestingly, two seemingly opposite qualities, udasina and daksha, are placed together.

First, anapeksha: one with no expectations of the world. According to Shankara this is one who expects nothing from anyone even for bodily maintenance, contented with whatever comes. Second, shuchih: pure outside and inside. Outer purity comes through cleanliness and good conduct; inner purity through freedom from attachment, hatred, deceit. Third, dakshah: skilful, alert, doing duty at the right time and in the right way. Here the Lord makes clear that the devotee need not be lazy or inactive; efficiency is a part of devotion.

Fourth, udasinah: not bound by attachment to any side; impartial and neutral. Udasina does not mean gloomy but being above partisanship. Fifth, gatavyathah: whose distress is gone, who is not shaken by sorrows. And sixth, sarvarambha-parityagi, renouncing all undertakings. It does not mean he does nothing; according to Shankara it means he does not begin desire-driven works or self-serving new schemes. Ramanuja takes it as giving up works that turn one away from the Lord.

Thus the dear devotee is one who is inwardly free of expectation and outwardly efficient, who lives in the world yet is free of its claims. This is a lovely balance of karma yoga and devotion.

Context

Verse 12.15 described conduct toward the world and freedom from four disturbances. Here are six more qualities of the devotee; the list of the dear devotee's marks is completed in 12.17-19.

Life lesson

Non-expectation and efficiency can go together. Do your duty with full skill, but do not expect results and praise; that is the sign of a karma yogi and devotee.

Key terms

अनपेक्ष: one with no expectation or personal demand
दक्ष: skilful and alert in doing duty at the right time
उदासीन: impartial, not siding out of attachment
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी: one who gives up all self-motivated undertakings