# 12/G.O.D
### Although the shortest chapter in the Bhagavad-Gita, Chapter Twelve contains essential insights on devotional service. Krishna discusses the path of devotion, the stages one may progress through to achieve it, and the qualities of the devotee who has perfected it. “God” is generally defined as “the supreme controller.” In this chapter, however, we gain insight into the more cherished aspects of God’s personality, and the disposition of the devotee who has conquered His heart through devotion.
## G
[**Godhead (1-7)**](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]
In response to Arjuna’s question, Krishna again picks up the discussion of impersonalism. It seems to be a recurring theme in the text, and one may wonder why. Krishna explains that a personal approach to God through bhakti-yoga (devotional service) is not only powerful and practical, but more fruitful and satisfying. The very essence of our being is to seek happiness (*anandamaya bhyasat*), and happiness ultimately lies in relationships. For a relationship to exist there must be a subject, object and reciprocity. Impersonal notions of ‘oneness,’ however, annihilate all three and thereby cheat the individual of the true happiness we all seek. While those who tread the impersonal path of spirituality undoubtedly receive spiritual merit, the practice is troublesome, the progress is piecemeal, and the rewards are meagre. Thus, one reason Srila Prabhupada continually refers to Krishna as the ‘Godhead’ is to remind us that God is ultimately a person who must be approached as such.
## O
[**Options (8-12)**](#user-content-fn-2)[^2]
In these verses, Krishna demonstrates His magnanimity and kindness. Having established the most evolved path of spirituality, He goes on to offer various options, recognising that some may be unable to immediately embrace a pure devotional path. Progressive steps towards such a devotional spirit include the practice of regulated spirituality, worship through one’s daily work, offering of charity, and the cultivation of knowledge. The spiritual path is not all or nothing and one can begin their journey according to what is feasible, achievable and realistic at this point in their journey.
## D
[**Devotees Disposition (13-20)**](#user-content-fn-3)[^3]
In the previous chapter, Krishna displayed the entirety of the cosmos to Arjuna, and now Krishna sheds light on the inner world. He describes the charming character of an outstanding spiritualist which endears him to everyone. In our dealings with the Divine, the external offerings will never be that impressive... what unique gifts can infinitesimal beings really offer to the Supreme Creator? Yet, the purity of character and depth of devotion that a devotee exudes immediately attracts Divine attention, for Krishna is ever - interested in loving exchange based on pure selflessness. As one develops purity of consciousness, traits such as tolerance, determination, satisfaction and equanimity of mind automatically manifest within one’s character. That said, conscientious spiritualists also endeavour to consciously cultivate such qualities, as they are supportive to one’s spiritual growth. Devotees endowed with such an attractive and spotless character conquer the heart of Krishna, who becomes bound by their devotion. Such are the dealings within the spiritual domain.
> ### *“PEOPLE SEE GOD EVERY DAY, THEY JUST DON'T RECOGNISE HIM”* *\~ PEARL BAILEY*
[^1]: **Bg. 12.1-7**
**Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/)
[TEXT 1:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/1/) Arjuna inquired: Which are considered to be more perfect, those who are always properly engaged in Your devotional service or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested?
[TEXT 2:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/2/) The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who 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.
[TEXTS 3-4:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/3-4/) But those who fully worship the unmanifested, that which lies beyond the perception of the senses, the all-pervading, inconceivable, unchanging, fixed and immovable – the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth – by controlling the various senses and being equally disposed to everyone, such persons, engaged in the welfare of all, at last achieve Me.
[TEXT 5:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/5/) For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.
[TEXTS 6-7:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/6-7/) But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Me, O son of Pṛthā – for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.
[^2]: **Bg. 12.8-12**
**Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/)
[TEXT 8:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/8/) Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.
[TEXT 9:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/9/) My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me.
[TEXT 10:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/10/) If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.
[TEXT 11:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/11/) If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.
[TEXT 12:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/12/) If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind.
[^3]: **Bg. 12.13-20**
**Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/)
[TEXTS 13-14:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/13-14/) One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.
[TEXT 15:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/15/) He by whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anyone, who is equipoised in happiness and distress, fear and anxiety, is very dear to Me.
[TEXT 16:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/16/) My devotee who is not dependent on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and not striving for some result, is very dear to Me.
[TEXT 17:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/17/) One who neither rejoices nor grieves, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things – such a devotee is very dear to Me.
[TEXTS 18-19:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/18-19/) One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contaminating association, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn’t care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and who is engaged in devotional service – such a person is very dear to Me.
[TEXT 20:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/12/20/) Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me.