Gita : Ch-12. Slo-12.Discussion-4

(Very important slokam )
Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :
Chapter-12. ( Bhakti-yogam )

Slokam-12. ( If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind.)

sreyo  hi  jnanam abhyasat  jnanaddhyanam  visisyate,


dhyanat  karmaphalatyagah  tyagacchantiranantaram.


abhyasat  =  than  practice ( abhyasam );

 jnanam  sreyah  hi  =  Jnanam ( knowledge ) is  superior;

 jnanat  =  than  jnanam;

dhyanam  visisyate  =  dhyanam  ( meditation ) is  superior;

dhyanat  =  than  dyanam;

karma-phala-tyagah  ( sreyah)  =  sacrificing / renunciation of  the  fruits  of  karmam, is  far  superior;

tyagat  anantaram  =  from  such  renunciation  thereafter  soon  without  delay;

santih  =  attain  peace.

Discussion-4.

If those seeking moksha or liberation from material existence would wish to develop bhakti or exclusive loving devotion to Lord Krishna which is characterized by completely focusing the mind and the intellect in meditation upon Him alone which is the essential prerequisite for attaining the Supreme Lord.

Yet if there is ineligibility in this regard Lord Krishna has compassionately given in descending order alternate methods each succeeding one easier than the preceding one such as continuous practice of thinking exclusively of Him, perform regularly actions of devotion and at least relinquish the desire for the rewards of one's actions.

Now we see that He extols and praises renunciation of rewards because it bestows purity of mind and combined with bhakti leads one directly to the Supreme Lord.

Superior is knowledge of Vedic scriptures acquired from the teachings at the feet of the spiritual master.

To be continued  .....