Bhagavad-gītā 12.3–4

Explain simply

Speaker: Śrī Kṛṣṇa

Verses 3 to 4 are read together as one text.

ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते ।
सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यञ्च कूटस्थमचलन्ध्रुवम् ॥३॥
सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः ।
ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥४॥

ye tv akṣaram anirdeśyam
avyaktaṁ paryupāsate
sarvatra-gam acintyaṁ ca
kūṭa-stham acalaṁ dhruvam

sanniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ
sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ
te prāpnuvanti mām eva
sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ

Word for word (synonyms)

ye
those
tu
but
akṣaram
which is beyond the perception of the senses
anirdeśyam
indefinite
avyaktam
unmanifested
paryupāsate
completely engages
sarvatra-gam
all-pervading
acintyam
inconceivable
ca
also
kūṭastham
in the center
acalam
immovable
dhruvam
fixed
sanniyamya
controlling
indriya-grāmam
all the senses
sarvatra
everywhere
sama-buddayaḥ
equally disposed
te
they
prāpnuvanti
achieve
mām
unto Me
eva
certainly
sarva-bhūta-hite
all living entities' welfare
ratāḥ
engaged

Translation

But those who fully worship the unmanifested, that which lies beyond the perception of the senses, the all-pervading, inconceivable, fixed, and immovable—the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth—by controlling the various senses and being equally disposed to everyone, such persons, engaged in the welfare of all, at last achieve Me.

Purport

Those who do not directly worship the Supreme Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, but who attempt to achieve the same goal by an indirect process, also ultimately achieve the supreme goal, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as is stated, "After many births the man of wisdom seeks refuge in Me, knowing Vāsudeva is all." When a person comes to full knowledge after many births, he surrenders unto Lord Kṛṣṇa. If one approaches the Godhead by the method mentioned in this verse, he has to control the senses, render service to everyone and engage in the welfare of all beings. It is inferred that one has to approach Lord Kṛṣṇa, otherwise there is no perfect realization. Often there is much penance involved before one fully surrenders unto Him.

In order to perceive the Supersoul within the individual soul, one has to cease the sensual activities of seeing, hearing, tasting, working, etc. Then one comes to understand that the Supreme Soul is present everywhere. Realizing this, one envies no living entity—he sees no difference between man and animal because he sees soul only, not the outer covering. But for the common man, this method of impersonal realization is very difficult.

What this verse teaches

The path of impersonal Brahman worshipers is troublesome

In thematic compilations 3

Bhakti, the Topmost Yoga

  • Those who fix their minds on the personal form of Kṛṣṇa are most perfect. For the impersonalists, advancement is troublesome. (12.2-5 mayy āveśya mano ye...)

Bhakti Throughout the Gītā

  • Bhakti is superior to impersonalism and Kṛṣṇa directly takes charge of His devotees (12.1-7 evaṁ satata-yuktā ye...)

Equanimity and Satisfaction

  • One attains the Supreme Lord by controlling senses and being equally disposed to everyone. (12.4 sanniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ...)

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda © The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.