In Bhagavad Gita 12.20, the last verse of Chapter 12, Krishna says that those who follow this immortal dharma with faith, regarding him as supreme, are exceedingly dear to him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं
यथोक्तं पर्युपासते
श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा
भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ॥ १२-२० ॥
ye tu dharmyāmṛtamidaṃ
yathoktaṃ paryupāsate
śraddadhānā matparamā
bhaktāste’tīva me priyāḥ
English transliteration ye tu dharmyaamritamidam
yathoktam paryupaasate
shraddadhaanaa matparamaa
bhaktaaste’teeva me priyaah ॥ 12.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But those devotees who follow this immortal dharma as described, endowed with faith and regarding Me as the supreme goal, are exceedingly dear to Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ये ye | who |
| तु tu | but |
| धर्म्यामृतम् dharmyāmṛtam | immortal dharma dharmya (righteous) + amṛtam (nectar, immortal) |
| इदम् idam | this |
| यथा yathā | as |
| उक्तम् uktam | described |
| पर्युपासते paryupāsate | follow |
| श्रद्दधानाः śraddadhānāḥ | endowed with faith |
| मत्परमाः matparamāḥ | regarding Me as supreme |
| भक्ताः bhaktāḥ | devotees |
| ते te | they |
| अतीव atīva | exceedingly |
| मे me | to Me |
| प्रियाः priyāḥ | dear |
Word-wise Chanting
- ye tu dhar–myā–mṛ–ta–mi–daṃ 8 syllables ye tu dhar-myaa-mri-ta-mi-dam
- ya–thok–taṃ par–yu–pā–sa–te | 8 syllables ya-thok-tam par-yu-paa-sa-te
- śrad–da–dhā–nā mat–pa–ra–mā 8 syllables shrad-da-dhaa-naa mat-pa-ra-maa
- bhak–tās–te–‘tī–va me pri–yāḥ || 12-20 8 syllables bhak-taas-te-‘tee-va me pri-yaah
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 20
Context
The final verse of Chapter 12 concludes the teaching on devotion.
Meaning
The qualities described in 12.13–12.19 are called dharmyāmṛta, the nectar of righteousness that leads to immortality. Those who strive to live them with faith, even before they are perfected, are atīva priya, exceedingly dear to the Divine.
Note that those still striving are dearer than ever. The Divine treasures the sincere effort to grow in love.
In Practice
Choose one quality from verses 12.13–12.19 and make it your practice for the week.
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.