Chapter 12, Verse 20 (Bhagavad Gita 12.20)
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yog – The Yoga of Devotion
Sanskrit Shloka
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते।श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः
Transliteration
ye tu dharmyāmṛitam idaṁ yathoktaṁ paryupāsate śhraddadhānā mat-paramā bhaktās te ’tīva me priyāḥ
Word Meanings
ye—who; tu—indeed; dharma—of wisdom; amṛitam—nectar; idam—this; yathā—as; uktam—declared; paryupāsate—exclusive devotion; śhraddadhānāḥ—with faith; mat-paramāḥ—intent on me as the supreme goal; bhaktāḥ—devotees; te—they; atīva—exceedingly; me—to me; priyāḥ—dear
Translation
Those who follow this immortal Dharma as described, endowed with faith, and regarding Me alone as their supreme goal, are exceedingly dear to Me, Shri Krishna.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound verse, Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, reveals the highest perfection of devotional service. He declares that those who regulate their lives according to the eternal, nectarine principles of Dharma, with unwavering faith in His divinity, become the most beloved souls to Him. By fixing their focus solely on the lotus feet of Shri Krishna, these devotees transcend the limitations of the material world. This path is not merely a ritualistic performance but a transformative surrender where the seeker identifies Shri Krishna as the ultimate destination. Ultimately, Shri Krishna promises that such devotees, who live in constant communion with Him, find themselves eternally cherished by the Lord of the Universe.