Geeta slokas 12.9 through 12.12

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In Chapter 12 in sloka 12.8, Krishna gives this definite assurance:

 

"mayyev man aadhat-sva mayi buddhim niveshaya

niva-si-shya-si may-yev atha urdhvam na samshaya"

'Fix your mind on Me alone, let your understanding be absorbed in Me (let your intellect be absorbed in Me), henceforth without any doubt, you will dwell in Me alone'

 

Over slokas 12.9 to 12.12 Krishna then outlines the different steps for realizing Him as the ultimate goal:

 

1---

"atha chittam samaa-dhaatum na shaknoshi mayi sthiram

abhyaasa yogena tato maam-ichaaptum dhananjaya 12.9

'If you are unable to concentrate your mind on Me, Arjuna, seek to reach out to Me through the Yoga of repeated efforts.'

 

2----

abhyaase pya asamarthosi mat karma parmo bhava

mad-arthamapi karmaani kurvan siddham avaapsyasi

'If you cannot make even these repeated efforts, devote yourself completely to my works. Even by doing works for My sake you will achieve perfection'

 

3---

athaita dapya shaktosi kartum madhyogam aashrita

sarva karma phala tyaagam tatha kuru yataat-mavaan

'If you are unable to do even this, then with self-control renounce the fruits of all works'

 

Finally..........

shreyo hi gnaayam abhyaasaj gnyayaat dhyaanam vishishyate

dhyaanaat karma phala tyagasch-tyaaga chaantir anataram" 12.12

'Knowledge is superior to repeated efforts; superior to knowledge is meditation. Even superior to meditation is the renunciation of all fruits of works. With renunciation, peace is born immediately. '

 

Slokas 12.9 to 12.12 thus gives three steps to tame the mind so that it can be tuned in to God-- If you are unable to fix your thoughts on Me, then try and practice continuously so that the wandering mind is brought back again and again and fixed on Me. If you are not able to do this, then do all your actions/ works for Me. Even by doing actions for My sake you will achieve perfection. If dedication of works is not possible then abandon the fruits-of-your-actions, take refuge in Me, and be ever self-controlled. Live in the present, don't be agitated thinking about the results of your works-- we work so as to achieve something. Our preoccupation with the results of our works tend to distract.

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Then through slokas 12.13 to 12.19, He outlines the qualities of a perfect bhakta (to be conitnued....)

Om Namo Narayanaya.