In Bhagavad Gita 12.12, Krishna says knowledge is better than practice, meditation better than knowledge, giving up the fruits of action better than meditation; from giving up comes immediate peace.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासा-
ज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते
ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्
त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् ॥ १२-१२ ॥
śreyo hi jñānamabhyāsā-
jjñānāddhyānaṃ viśiṣyate
dhyānātkarmaphalatyāgas
tyāgācchāntiranantaram
English transliteration shreyo hi jnaanamabhyaasaa-
jjnaanaaddhyaanam vishishyate
dhyaanaatkarmaphalatyaagas
tyaagaachchhaantiranantaram ॥ 12.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Knowledge is indeed better than practice; meditation is superior to knowledge; giving up the fruits of action is better than meditation; and from giving up, peace follows immediately.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| श्रेयः śreyaḥ | better |
| हि hi | indeed |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| अभ्यासात् abhyāsāt | than practice |
| ज्ञानात् jñānāt | than knowledge |
| ध्यानम् dhyānam | meditation |
| विशिष्यते viśiṣyate | is superior |
| ध्यानात् dhyānāt | than meditation |
| कर्मफलत्यागः karmaphalatyāgaḥ | giving up the fruits of action karma (action) + phala (fruits) + tyāgaḥ (giving up) |
| त्यागात् tyāgāt | from giving up |
| शान्तिः śāntiḥ | peace |
| अनन्तरम् anantaram | immediately |
Word-wise Chanting
- śre–yo hi jñā–na–mabh–yā–sā– 8 syllables shre-yo hi jnaa-na-mabh-yaa-saa-
- jjñā–nād–dhyā–naṃ vi–śiṣ–ya–te | 8 syllables jjnaa-naad-dhyaa-nam vi-shish-ya-te
- dhyā–nāt–kar–ma–pha–lat–yā–gas– 8 syllables dhyaa-naat-kar-ma-pha-lat-yaa-gas-
- tyā–gāc–chān–ti–ra–nan–ta–ram || 12-12 8 syllables tyaa-gaach-chhaan-ti-ra-nan-ta-ram
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 12
Context
Krishna sums up the graded practices (12.8–12.12).
Meaning
Here practice without understanding is placed below knowledge; knowledge is surpassed by meditation; and meditation is surpassed by tyāga, renunciation of the fruits of action. Renunciation brings śānti, peace, anantaram, at once. Letting go is the shortest path to peace.
Commentators note that renunciation of fruits here is the fruit of the other practices, not merely an easy alternative. Whenever we truly let go, peace arrives immediately.
In Practice
Notice the immediate peace that comes when you truly let go of a desired outcome.
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.