Chapter 12 · Bhakti Yoga — The Yoga of DevotionKrishna
Verse 12
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 12, श्लोक 12
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते।
ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम्॥
Transliteration
Shreyo Hi Jnanam-Abhyasaj-Jnanad-Dhyanam Vishishyate.
Dhyanat-Karma-Phala-Tyagas-Tyagach-Chhantir-Anantaram.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
श्रेयःshreyahbetter
ज्ञानम्jnanamknowledge
अभ्यासात्abhyasatthan mechanical practice
ज्ञानात्jnanatthan knowledge
ध्यानम्dhyanammeditation
विशिष्यतेvishishyateis superior
कर्मफलत्यागःkarma-phala-tyagahrenunciation of the fruits of action
त्यागात्tyagatfrom renunciation
शान्तिःshantihpeace
अनन्तरम्anantaramimmediately
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
(यांत्रिक) अभ्यास से ज्ञान श्रेष्ठ है, ज्ञान से ध्यान श्रेष्ठ है, ध्यान से कर्मफल का त्याग श्रेष्ठ है — त्याग से तत्काल शान्ति प्राप्त होती है।
English Translation
Better than mechanical practice is knowledge; better than knowledge is meditation; better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action — from such renunciation, peace immediately follows.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna establishes a hierarchy of spiritual practices: knowledge surpasses blind practice, meditation surpasses mere knowledge, and renunciation of results surpasses even meditation. The ultimate fruit — 'shanti' (peace) — comes immediately from renunciation. This verse connects the ladder of practices from verses 8-11 with clear valuation.