In Bhagavad Gita 12.16, Krishna says that the devotee who is free from dependence, pure, skilful, impartial, untroubled and who has given up all selfish undertakings is dear to him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष
उदासीनो गतव्यथः
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी
यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥ १२-१६ ॥
anapekṣaḥ śucirdakṣa
udāsīno gatavyathaḥ
sarvārambhaparityāgī
yo madbhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
English transliteration anapekshah shuchirdaksha
udaaseeno gatavyathah
sarvaarambhaparityaagee
yo madbhaktah sa me priyah ॥ 12.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who is free from dependence, pure, skilful, unconcerned, free from distress, who has renounced all selfish undertakings: such a devotee is dear to Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अनपेक्षः anapekṣaḥ | free from dependence |
| शुचिः śuciḥ | pure |
| दक्षः dakṣaḥ | skilful |
| उदासीनः udāsīnaḥ | unconcerned, impartial |
| गतव्यथः gatavyathaḥ | free from distress gata (gone) + vyathaḥ (distress) |
| सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी sarvārambhaparityāgī | who has renounced all selfish undertakings sarva (all) + ārambha (undertakings) + parityāgī (renouncing) |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| मद्भक्तः madbhaktaḥ | My devotee |
| सः saḥ | he |
| मे me | to Me |
| प्रियः priyaḥ | dear |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–na–pe–kṣaḥ śu–cir–da–kṣa 8 syllables a-na-pe-kshah shu-chir-da-ksha
- u–dā–sī–no ga–tav–ya–thaḥ | 8 syllables u-daa-see-no ga-tav-ya-thah
- sar–vā–ram–bha–pa–rit–yā–gī 8 syllables sar-vaa-ram-bha-pa-rit-yaa-gee
- yo mad–bhak–taḥ sa me pri–yaḥ || 12-16 8 syllables yo mad-bhak-tah sa me pri-yah
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 16
Context
The description of the dear devotee continues (12.13–12.20).
Meaning
The devotee is anapekṣa, not dependent on anything external; śuci, pure in body and mind; dakṣa, capable and efficient; udāsīna, not taking sides selfishly; gata-vyatha, free from distress; and has given up undertakings driven by personal ambition.
Notice dakṣa, skilful. The devotee is not passive or incompetent. Devotion and excellence in action go together.
In Practice
Do your work today with skill and care, while letting go of personal ambition.
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.