Chapter 12 Verse 10
Bhakti Yog
अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव।मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन् सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि।।12.10।।
abhyāse ’py asamartho ’si mat-karma-paramo bhava mad-artham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi
Word Meanings
| abhyāse | in practice |
| api | if |
| asamarthaḥ | unable |
| asi | you |
| mat-karma paramaḥ | devotedly work for me |
| bhava | be |
| mat-artham | for my sake |
| api | also |
| karmāṇi | work |
| kurvan | performing |
| siddhim | perfection |
| avāpsyasi | you shall achieve |
Translation
If you are unable to practice even this Abhyasa Yoga, be intent on doing actions for My sake; even by doing actions for My sake, you will attain perfection.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
If you find steady practice or formal devotion hard, Krishna gives a practical alternative: do your daily work with the intention that it is for Him. The outward action becomes a form of worship when the inner motive is surrender and service.
By offering tasks to a higher purpose, your actions lose selfish coloring. This reduces ego and attachment, and slowly purifies the heart. Even ordinary duties done with right intention lead to real spiritual progress and inner calm.
Sincerity matters more than perfect technique. Small, honest efforts made for the Divine bring lasting change and move you toward spiritual completion.
Life Application
- Begin your day by briefly dedicating your work and relationships to a purpose larger than yourself (a quiet sentence or intention is enough).
- While doing tasks, notice and let go of thoughts about reward or praise; act with service in mind.
- When results come, accept them without clinging or blaming; treat outcomes as part of the larger flow.
Reflection Question
What one daily task can I consciously offer today as an act of service rather than personal gain?