Chapter 12 Verse 3-4
Bhakti Yog
ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते।सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यं च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम्।।12.3।। संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः।ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः।।12.4।।
ye tv akṣharam anirdeśhyam avyaktaṁ paryupāsate sarvatra-gam achintyañcha kūṭa-stham achalandhruvam sanniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ te prāpnuvanti mām eva sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ sanniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ te prāpnuvanti mām eva sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ
Word Meanings
| ye | who |
| tu | but |
| akṣharam | the imperishable |
| anirdeśhyam | the indefinable |
| avyaktam | the unmanifest |
| paryupāsate | worship |
| sarvatra-gam | the all-pervading |
| achintyam | the unthinkable |
| cha | and |
| kūṭa-stham | the unchanging |
| achalam | the immovable |
| dhruvam | the eternal |
| sanniyamya | restraining |
| indriya-grāmam | the senses |
| sarvatra | everywhere |
| sama-buddhayaḥ | even-minded |
| te | they |
| prāpnuvanti | attain |
| mām | me |
| eva | also |
| sarva-bhūta-hite | in the welfare of all beings |
| ratāḥ | engaged sanniyamya-controlling |
| indriya-grāmam | all the senses |
| sarvatra | everywhere |
| sama-buddayaḥ | equally disposed |
| te-they | |
| prāpnuvanti | achieve |
| mām | unto Me |
| eva | certainly |
| sarva-bhūtahite | all living entities' welfare |
| ratāḥ | engaged. |
Translation
Those who worship the imperishable, the indefinable, the unmanifest, the omnipresent, the unthinkable, the immovable, and the eternal. Having restrained all the senses, being even-minded everywhere, and intent on the welfare of all beings, they verily come unto Me.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
These verses say that devotion need not only be to a visible form. Worship can be directed to the imperishable, the formless, and the ever-present reality behind all things. This points to a spiritual focus on what is constant and unchanging, not only on changing appearances.
True devotion shows in how you live: by calming and guiding the senses, keeping an even mind in all situations, and caring for the well‑being of others. Such inner control and steady compassion bring a person closer to the divine presence that the Gita calls “Me.”
The teaching links inner discipline with outer kindness. Controlling desires and thoughts is not cold renunciation but steady attention and balance. When we act from that balance for the welfare of others, we move toward spiritual union and peace.
Life Application
- Practice short daily periods of quiet or focused breathing to steady the mind and reduce reactive habits of the senses.
- When you face praise, criticism, loss, or gain, pause and respond with the same calm tone—train even-mindedness by noting reactions before acting.
- Make one small, clear choice each day to help another (a kind word, a helpful task) so your spiritual practice stays connected to caring action.
Reflection Question
How can I steady my mind and senses today while choosing one small act that helps someone else?