In Bhagavad Gita 12.10, Krishna says that if Arjuna is unable even to practise, he should devote himself to working for him; even by doing actions for his sake, he will attain perfection.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि
मत्कर्मपरमो भव
मदर्थमपि कर्माणि
कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १२-१० ॥
abhyāse’pyasamartho’si
matkarmaparamo bhava
madarthamapi karmāṇi
kurvansiddhimavāpsyasi
English transliteration abhyaase’pyasamartho’si
matkarmaparamo bhava
madarthamapi karmaani
kurvansiddhimavaapsyasi ॥ 12.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
If you are unable even to practise, be intent on working for Me. Even by doing actions for My sake, you will attain perfection.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अभ्यासे abhyāse | in practice |
| अपि api | even |
| असमर्थः asamarthaḥ | unable |
| असि asi | you are |
| मत्कर्मपरमः matkarmaparamaḥ | intent on working for Me mat (Me) + karma (work) + paramaḥ (intent) |
| भव bhava | be |
| मदर्थम् madartham | for My sake mat (Me) + artham (sake) |
| अपि api | even |
| कर्माणि karmāṇi | actions |
| कुर्वन् kurvan | doing |
| सिद्धिम् siddhim | perfection |
| अवाप्स्यसि avāpsyasi | you will attain |
Word-wise Chanting
- abh–yā–se–‘pya–sa–mar–tho–‘si 8 syllables abh-yaa-se-‘pya-sa-mar-tho-‘si
- mat–kar–ma–pa–ra–mo bha–va | 8 syllables mat-kar-ma-pa-ra-mo bha-va
- ma–dar–tha–ma–pi kar–mā–ṇi 8 syllables ma-dar-tha-ma-pi kar-maa-ni
- kur–van–sid–dhi–ma–vāp–sya–si || 12-10 8 syllables kur-van-sid-dhi-ma-vaap-sya-si
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 12 Verse 10
Context
Krishna’s graded practices continue (12.8–12.11).
Meaning
If even regular practice is too difficult, Krishna offers another way: make work itself an act of devotion. Do actions mad-artham, for the Divine’s sake, serving it through daily tasks. This alone will lead to siddhi, perfection.
Many people find it easier to serve than to meditate. Krishna validates service as a complete spiritual path.
In Practice
Dedicate your work today to the Divine, doing it as service rather than a mere job.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.