Chapter 12 Verse 12
Bhakti Yog
श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते।ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम्।।12.12।।
śhreyo hi jñānam abhyāsāj jñānād dhyānaṁ viśhiṣhyate dhyānāt karma-phala-tyāgas tyāgāch chhāntir anantaram
Word Meanings
| śhreyaḥ | better |
| hi | for |
| jñānam | knowledge |
| abhyāsāt | than (mechanical) practice |
| jñānāt | than knowledge |
| dhyānam | meditation |
| viśhiṣhyate | better |
| dhyānāt | than meditation |
| karma-phala-tyāgaḥ | renunciation of the fruits of actions |
| tyāgāt | renunciation |
| śhāntiḥ | peace |
| anantaram | immediately |
Translation
Better indeed is knowledge than practice; better than knowledge is meditation; better than meditation is the renunciation of the fruits of actions: peace immediately follows renunciation.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse shows a clear spiritual progress: mere routine practice is useful, but understanding is better. Knowledge points you beyond empty repetition toward meaning.
Deeper than knowledge is meditation — a steady inner focus that makes understanding lived experience. Above meditation is the inner freedom of acting without clinging to results. When you truly let go of expecting outcomes, peace arrives right away.
The verse does not tell you to stop working. It teaches to work with awareness and without attachment to fruit. That inner freedom is the source of unshakeable calm.
Life Application
- Learn the purpose behind what you do, not just the steps; ask "why" before repeating tasks.
- Build a short daily meditation (5–15 minutes) to steady the mind and connect work with meaning.
- Before starting work, set an intention to do your best and release expectations of reward; notice the relief when you let results go.
Reflection Question
Do I work for results and praise, or can I act with care and let the outcome be what it will?