Chapter 12: Bhakti-yoga – Practice and Attainment of Devotion / Verse 6

Explanation of verses 12.6 and 12.7 –

While discussing devotion, Krishna first emphasizes dedicating all activities to the Supreme, and not taking to other ways of worship with flowers and the like.

In any activity, devotion too, application of the mind together with the attitude is the most decisive. Need for eschewing sanga (delusional clinging) is the hallmark of Krishna’s instruction. Everything done without delusional clinging becomes divine.

Here Krishna highlights the same discipline, calling it renunciation, making it immensely sublime and valuable. Anyone would love to pursue it fervently.

What more? Krishna does not make the practice limited to a few hours or so. It is made ceaseless and wholesome. Do whatever needs to be done. But, ensure that all actions are mentally offered to the Supreme, to whom belongs the entire creation, and who activates every speck of it.

By this, devotion does not remain a piecemeal pursuit. It becomes co-existential with all activities. In addition to objective benefits of activities, you also gain the great sublimity, expansion and delight of devotion. Neither is the world adversely hit, nor is the individual led to any disadvantage. Both are immensely enriched and strengthened.

Harmful notes of dislike, malice and intolerance, likely to infect the mind frequently, give place to loftier notes of fondness, forbearance and fraternity, which ornament the individual and the society alike.

About such devotees, Krishna says that he himself soon liberates them. This verily means, these qualities themselves liberate the mind from its own constricting clutches. Mind becomes lofty, liberal and free!