Chapter 12 · Bhakti Yoga — The Yoga of DevotionKrishna
Verse 20
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 12, श्लोक 20
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते।
श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः॥
Transliteration
Ye Tu Dharmya-Amritam-Idam Yatho-Uktam Paryupasate.
Shraddadhana Mat-Parama Bhaktas-Te'tiva Me Priyah.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
येyethose who
धर्म्यामृतम्dharmya-amritamthis nectar of dharma
इदम्idamthis
यथोक्तम्yatho-uktamas declared
पर्युपासतेparyupasatefollow/worship completely
श्रद्दधानाःshraddadhanahendowed with faith
मत्परमाःmat-paramahregarding Me as the supreme goal
भक्ताःbhaktahdevotees
अतीवativaexceedingly
प्रियाःpriyahdear
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जो श्रद्धापूर्वक, मुझे परम लक्ष्य मानकर, इस धर्ममय अमृत (शिक्षा) का — जैसा कहा गया है वैसा — सेवन (पालन) करते हैं, वे भक्त मुझे अत्यन्त प्रिय हैं।
English Translation
Those who follow this immortal path of dharma as declared, endowed with faith, regarding Me as the Supreme goal — such devotees are exceedingly dear to Me.
Commentary (टीका)
The chapter's concluding verse elevates the entire teaching to 'dharmyamritam' — the immortal nectar of dharma. Those who practice these teachings with faith and devotion, holding God as the supreme goal, are declared 'ativa priyah' — exceedingly dear to God. The superlative 'ativa' (exceedingly) goes beyond the 'priyah' (dear) of earlier verses, giving this final declaration special emphasis and making it the pinnacle of the chapter's teachings on devotion.