Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 12 · Bhakti Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 12.10 अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव

Sri Krishna Chapter 12, Verse 10 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 12.10

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।
मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥

abhyāse'pyasamartho'si matkarmaparamo bhava |
madarthamapi karmāṇi kurvansiddhimavāpsyasi ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

यदि तुम अभ्यास करने में भी असमर्थ हो, तो मेरे लिए कर्म करने को ही अपना लक्ष्य बना लो। मेरे लिए कर्म करते हुए भी तुम सिद्धि प्राप्त कर लोगे।

Meaning in English

If you are unable even to practise, then make work done for Me your highest aim. Even by performing actions for My sake, you will attain perfection.

Bhagavad Gita 12.10 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
अभ्यासे अपिabhyāse apieven in practice
असमर्थः असिasamarthaḥ asiif you are unable
मत्-कर्म-परमःmat-karma-paramaḥdevoted to work for me
भवbhavabe
मत्-अर्थम् अपिmat-artham apieven for my sake
कर्माणि कुर्वन्karmāṇi kurvandoing actions
सिद्धिम्siddhimperfection
अवाप्स्यसिavāpsyasiyou will attain

Explanation

If you are unable even to practise, be devoted to work done for me; even by doing actions for my sake you will attain perfection.

The next step down is service: do your work, and especially work for others and for God, as an offering. This too leads to perfection.

भावार्थ

यदि अभ्यास में भी असमर्थ हो, तो मेरे लिए कर्म करने में लग जाओ; मेरे लिए कर्म करते हुए भी तुम सिद्धि प्राप्त करोगे।

Living it today

Serve — volunteer, help at home, do your job honestly — and offer it to God; this is a complete spiritual path.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 12.10?

If you are unable even to practise, be devoted to work done for me; even by doing actions for my sake you will attain perfection.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 12.10?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 12 (Bhakti Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 12.10 in daily life?

Serve — volunteer, help at home, do your job honestly — and offer it to God; this is a complete spiritual path.

Reflected on verse 12.10?

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