Devotional Service

Theme and purpose

Devotional service is the highest of all spiritual paths. Kṛṣṇa differentiates between the personalists and impersonalists and gives the progressive levels of bhakti that enable people at various stages to connect with the Supreme. A devotee possesses several glorious qualities that ender him to Kṛṣṇa.

How this chapter connects

Sections and key teachings

1. 12.1 Arjuna’s Inquiry – ‘Who is better? - Personalist or Impersonalist?’
2. 12.2–7 Personalists Vs. Impersonalists – Supremacy of Kṛṣṇa-bhakti
   3 subsections

   • 12.2 Pure devotees of Kṛṣṇa are most perfect in yoga
   • 12.3–5 The path of impersonal Brahman worshipers is troublesome
   • 12.6–7 Bhakti is the simple and easy path of personalists (ananya-bhaktas)
3. 12.8–12 Progressive stages of Bhakti (See the table)
   4 subsections

   • 12.8–9 Bhakti with internal senses (samraṇa-ātmika, manana-ātmikā and abhyāsa-rūpa bhaktis) – fixing mind and intelligence on Kṛṣṇa, and if it is diffucult, endeavour to do so.
   • 12.10 Bhakti with external senses – If endeavouring is also difficult, work for Kṛṣṇa.
   • 12.11 If working for Kṛṣṇa is difficult, give up the results of work.
   • 12.12 Abhyāsa (practice) < Jñāna (knowledge) < Dhyāna (meditation) < Tyāga (renouncing fruits of work)
4. 12.13–20 Qualities that endear one to Lord Kṛṣṇa

All verses

12.1

• 12.1

12.2–7

• 12.2
• 12.3–4
• 12.5
• 12.6–7

12.8–12

• 12.8
• 12.9
• 12.10
• 12.11
• 12.12

12.13–20

• 12.13–14
• 12.15
• 12.16
• 12.17
• 12.18–19
• 12.20