Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Definition of a Spiritual person

Verse 12.01-07

Arjuna asked:

Between those who worship God in form and others who worship the formless; which of these are considered more perfect?

Lord Krishna said:

Realization is more difficult for those who fix their mind on the impersonal, unmanifest, and formless Absolute; because, comprehension of the unmanifest by embodied beings is attained with difficulty. Nevertheless, those who worship the formless impersonal aspect of God restraining all the senses, even-minded under all circumstances, engaged in the welfare of all creatures, come to Me indeed.

But for those who worship the Supreme with unswerving devotion as a personal deity of their choice, offer all actions to Me, intent on Me as the Supreme, and meditate on Me; They fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect. I therefore swiftly become their savior from the world that is the ocean of death and transmigration whose thoughts are set on My personal form, O Arjuna.

Verse 12.08-12

There are four ways to attain Me, O Arjuna.

Focus your mind on Me, and let your intellect dwell upon Me alone through meditation and contemplation. Thereafter you shall certainly attain Me.

Long to attain Me by practice of any spiritual discipline; such as deity worship that suits you.

Be intent on performing your duty just for Me. You shall attain perfection by doing your prescribed duty for Me - without any selfish motive - just as an instrument to serve and please Me.

Just surrender unto My will, and renounce the attachment to, and the anxiety for, the fruits of all work - by learning to accept all results as God's grace - with equanimity.

Knowledge [of the Supreme] is superior to [mere] practice
Meditation is superior to knowledge
Renunciation is superior to Meditation

Verse 12.13-20

The one who is dear to me is the one

Who does not hate any creature
Who is friendly and compassionate
Who is forgiving
By whom others are not agitated
Who is not agitated by others
Who is free from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety

Who is free from the notion of "I" and "my"
Who has renounced the evil and is full of devotion

Who has subdued the mind
Whose resolve is firm
Who is ever content
Who is free from attachment

Who has renounced the doership in all undertakings
Who is indifferent to censure or praise

Who is desireless, pure, wise, impartial, and free from anxiety
Who neither rejoices nor grieves, neither likes nor dislikes
Who remains the same towards friend or foe, in honor or disgrace, in heat or cold, in pleasure or pain
Who is quiet and content with whatever he or she has; unattached to a place, a country, or a house; equanimous, and full of devotion

Who is devoted to Me.
Whose mind and intellect are engaged in dwelling upon Me
Who follow the imperishable path of devotional service
Who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal