Chapter 12, Verse 14
Bhakti Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
santuṣhṭaḥ—contented; satatam—steadily; yogī—united in devotion; yata-ātmā—self-controlled; dṛiḍha-niśhchayaḥ—firm in conviction; mayi—to me; arpita—dedicated; manaḥ—mind; buddhiḥ—intellect; yaḥ—who; mat-bhaktaḥ—my devotees; saḥ—they; me—to me; priyaḥ—very dear
English translation
Ever content, steady in meditation, self-controlled, possessing firm conviction, with the mind and intellect dedicated to Me, he, My devotee, is dear to Me.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 12.14
Commentary
He knows that all that comes to him is the fruit of his own actions in the past and so he is ever contented. He does not endeavour to attain the finite or perishable objects. He fixes his mind and intellect on the Supreme Being or the Absolute; attains eternal satisfaction and stands adamant like yonder rock; amidst the vicissitudes of time. Contentment ever dwells in the heart of My devotee. Like the ocean which is ever full; his heart is ever full as he has no cravings. He is ever cheerful and joyous. He has a feeling of fullness whether or not he gets the means for the bare sustencance of his body. He is satisfied with a little thing and he does not care whether it is good or not. He never grumbles; complains or murmurs when he does not obtain food and clothing which are necessary for the maintenance of the body. His mind is ever filled with Me through constant and steady meditation. Yogi He who has evenness of mind always. He has controlled all the senses and desires. With a firm determination he has fixed his mind and intellect on Me in a spirit of perfect selfsurrender. He is endowed with a firm conviction regarding the essential nature of the Self. He who has the knowledge through Selfrealisation; I am Asanga Akarta Suddha Satchidananda Svayamprakasa Advitiya Brahman (unattached; nondoer; pure; ExistenceKnowledgeBliss Absolute; selfluminous; nondual Brahman) is a sage of firm determination. He has given to Me exclusively his mind (the faculty that wills and doubts) and the intellect (the faculty that determines). He is dear to Me as life itself. Such a comparison falls far short of the reality. The same thing which was said by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in chapter VII. 17; I am very dear to the wise and he is very dear to Me; is here described in detail.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
Simple Meaning
He who is ever contented, steady in meditation, self-controlled, possessed of firm conviction, with mind and intellect dedicated to Me — he My devotee is dear to Me.
Context & Background
Krishna continues describing the inner state of an ideal spiritual practitioner.
Key Philosophical Teaching
Contentment, mental discipline, and steady conviction are marks of authentic spiritual growth.
Practical Application
Cultivate inner contentment with what you have while maintaining a disciplined spiritual life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a devotee dear to Krishna in BG 12.14?
Inner contentment, self-control, steady conviction, and dedication of mind to God.
Related Verses
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