Chapter 12 · Bhakti Yoga — The Yoga of DevotionArjuna
Verse 1
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 12, श्लोक 1
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते।
ये चाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः॥
Transliteration
Evam Satata-Yukta Ye Bhaktas-Tvam Paryupasate.
Ye Cha-Apy-Aksharam-Avyaktam Tesham Ke Yoga-Vittamah.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
एवम्evamthus
सततयुक्ताःsatata-yuktahalways steadfast
भक्ताःbhaktahdevotees
त्वाम्tvamYou
पर्युपासतेparyupasateworship
अक्षरम्aksharamthe imperishable
अव्यक्तम्avyaktamthe unmanifest
तेषाम्teshamof them
केkewho
योगवित्तमाःyoga-vittamahthe best knowers of yoga
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
अर्जुन बोले — जो भक्त सदा आपमें स्थिर रहकर आपके सगुण-साकार रूप की उपासना करते हैं और जो अविनाशी निराकार (अव्यक्त) की उपासना करते हैं — उनमें कौन योग को अधिक जानने वाले हैं?
English Translation
Arjuna said: Those devotees who are ever steadfast and worship You in Your personal form, and those who worship the Imperishable Unmanifest — of these, who are the better knowers of yoga?
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna poses the central question of this chapter — is saguna (personal form) worship or nirguna (formless) worship superior? This question has been debated throughout Indian philosophy, and Krishna's answer settles it clearly in favor of personal devotion while honoring both paths.