THE TWELFTH TEACHING

DEVOTION

Arjuna

Who best knows discipline:
men who worship you with devotion,
ever disciplined, or men who worship
the imperishable, unmanifest?

1

Lord Krishna

I deem most disciplined
men of enduring discipline
who worship me with true faith,
entrusting their minds to me.

2

Men reach me too who worship
what is imperishable, ineffable, unmanifest,
omnipresent, inconceivable,
immutable at the summit of existence.

3

Mastering their senses,
with equanimity toward everything,
they reach me, rejoicing
in the welfare of all creatures.

4

It is more arduous when their reason
clings to my unmanifest nature;
for men constrained by bodies,
the unmanifest way is hard to attain.

5

But men intent on me
renounce all actions to me
and worship me, meditating
with singular discipline.

6

When they entrust reason to me,
Arjuna, I soon arise
to rescue them from the ocean
of death and rebirth.

7

Focus your mind on me,
let your understanding enter me;
then you will dwell
in me without doubt.

8

If you cannot concentrate
your thought firmly on me,
then seek to reach me, Arjuna,
by discipline in practice.

9

Even if you fail in practice,
dedicate yourself to action;
performing actions for my sake,
you will achieve success.

10

If you are powerless to do
even this, rely on my discipline,
be self-controlled,
and reject all fruit of action.

11

Knowledge is better than practice,
meditation better than knowledge,
rejecting fruits of action
is better still—it brings peace.

12

One who bears hate for no creature
is friendly, compassionate, unselfish,
free of individuality, patient,
the same in suffering and joy.

13

Content always, disciplined,
self-controlled, firm in his resolve,
his mind and understanding dedicated to me,
devoted to me, he is dear to me.

14

The world does not flee from him,
nor does he flee from the world;
free of delight, rage, fear,
and disgust, he is dear to me.

15

Disinterested, pure, skilled,
indifferent, untroubled,
relinquishing all involvements,
devoted to me, he is dear to me.

16

He does not rejoice or hate,
grieve or feel desire;
relinquishing fortune and misfortune,
the man of devotion is dear to me.

17

Impartial to foe and friend,
honor and contempt,
cold and heat, joy and suffering,
he is free from attachment.

18

Neutral to blame and praise,
silent, content with his fate,
unsheltered, firm in thought,
the man of devotion is dear to me.

19

Even more dear to me are devotees
who cherish this elixir of sacred duty
as I have taught it,
intent on me in their faith.

20