Bhakti Yoga (भक्तियोगः)

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Bhakti Yoga (Samskrit: भक्तियोगः) is the name given to the twelfth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This chapter talks about attaining union with the formless and manifest aspects of the Supreme reality by the path of devotion.

The path of Bhakti is all encompassing - papis as well as sadhus, ignorant as well as learned, foolish as well as wise, find it easy. Prayer and petition, fasting and yajna, communion and self examination, all are included in the life of Bhakti. In its highest flights, bhakti coincides with jnana.

अध्यायसारः ॥ Summary of the Twelfth Chapter

Having dealt with Knowledge and ignorance in the previous chapters, the twelfth chapter explains how the path of devotion is easier than the path of knowledge. Explaining this path, it is enumerated that the aspirant in the path of devotion worships the Cosmic Form of the Supreme reality. He develops a loving relationship with Him, adores Him, remembers Him and chants His glories and Name. This brings about his union with the Supreme not only in His formless aspect but also in the manifest universe. Whereas in the path of knowledge, the aspirant meditates on the formless Brahman which is more difficult as he has to give up attachment to the body from the very beginning. Also, one has to develop dispassion for the material things.

Elaborating on the practise of devotion, Sri Krishna asks Arjuna to fix his mind entirely on Him. He says, everytime the mind wanders, it should be brought back to the thoughts of the Supreme. If such stern concentration is difficult, then one should dedicate all his actions to Him with the feeling that it is His power that activates everything. If even this is beyond his abilities, one should offer all his actions to the Supreme, abandoning the desire for their fruits. One should take complete refuge in Him. For, it is the one who surrenders himself completely to the Supreme being, attains perfect peace.

Sri Krishna then describes the qualities of a true devotee. He says, a true devotee is beyond both attachment as well as aversion. He has a balanced mind under all circumstances. He is not agitated by the happenings of the world, nor does he himself cause any agitation in others. He is completely desireless and rejoices in the Supreme within. He sees equality everywhere. Sorrow, fear, honour so also dishonour is the same in his eyes. And such perfect contentment on his part is the result of his complete surrender to the Ultimate reality.

Verses

ॐ श्रीपरमात्मने नमः अथ द्वादशोऽध्यायः

अर्जुन उवाच

एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते । ये चाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः ॥१२- १॥

श्रीभगवानुवाच मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते । श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः ॥१२- २॥

ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते । सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यं च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम् ॥१२- ३॥

संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः । ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥१२- ४॥

क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् । अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते ॥१२- ५॥

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः । अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ॥१२- ६॥

तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् । भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम् ॥१२- ७॥

मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय । निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः ॥१२- ८॥

अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् । अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनंजय ॥१२- ९॥

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव । मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥१२- १०॥

अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः । सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् ॥१२- ११॥

श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते । ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् ॥१२- १२॥

अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च । निर्ममो निरहंकारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ॥१२- १३॥

संतुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः । मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥१२- १४॥

यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः । हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ॥१२- १५॥

अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः । सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥१२- १६॥

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति । शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः ॥१२- १७॥

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः । शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ॥१२- १८॥

तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् । अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः ॥१२- १९॥

ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते । श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ॥१२- २०॥

ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे  श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे भक्तियोगो नाम द्वादशोऽध्यायः ॥ १२ ॥