Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 10

English Translation

If you are unable even to practise, be intent on works for Me. By undertaking works for Me as well, you will attain perfection. [Identity with Brahman.]

Detailed Commentary

।।12.10।। Commentary — 'अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव' — Here, 'अभ्यासे' refers to the *Abhyāsayoga* described in the previous (ninth) *Śloka*. It is a method of the *Gītā* to concisely reiterate earlier points. In the eighth *Śloka*, Bhagavan spoke of the means to fix one's mind and intellect in Him, which He then conveyed in the ninth *Śloka* with the words 'cittam samādhātum', meaning 'cittam' includes both mind and intellect. Similarly, the term 'abhayāse' here (in the tenth *Śloka*) is used for *Abhyāsayoga* from the ninth *Śloka*. Bhagavan says that if you are unable even in the *Abhyāsayoga* described in the previous *Śloka*, then perform all actions solely dedicated to Me. The implication is that the purpose of all actions (according to *Varṇāśramadharma*) – such as worldly acts for bodily sustenance and livelihood, and spiritual acts like *bhajan*, *dhyāna*, *nāma-japa* – should not be worldly enjoyment and accumulation, but rather the attainment of Bhagavan. Actions performed for the attainment of Bhagavan are called 'matkarma'. Sadhaks engaged in such actions are called 'matkarmaparama'. Only when the *sādhaka*'s connection is with Bhagavan, and the actions too are connected with Bhagavan, does one achieve 'matkarmaparāyaṇatā'. When the *sādhaka*'s goal is no longer the world (enjoyment and accumulation), forbidden actions will completely cease, because the cause of performing forbidden actions is indeed the 'kāmanā' (desire) for the world (*Gītā* 3.37). Therefore, with the aim of attaining Bhagavan, all the *sādhaka*'s actions will be *śāstravihita* (prescribed by scriptures) and for Bhagavan. 'Madarthamapi karmāṇi kurvansiddhimavāpsyasi' — The means that Bhagavan spoke of in the first part of this *Śloka* with the words 'matkarmaparamo bhava' is reiterated here with these words. The sentiment is: how can the *sādhaka*'s attention be diverted elsewhere when the sole purpose is the Supreme Self? In the eighth *Śloka*, Bhagavan described the means of dedicating mind and intellect to Him, and in the ninth *Śloka*, *Abhyāsayoga*, as independent means for His attainment. Similarly, here Bhagavan states 'matkarmaparamo bhava' (performing actions solely dedicated to Me) as an independent means for His attainment. Just as a person doing business for wealth acquisition gains more desire for wealth and enthusiasm for work upon acquiring it, so too, when a *sādhaka* performs all actions solely for Bhagavan, his yearning for *Bhagavatprāpti* and enthusiasm for the *sādhanā* increase. When the yearning intensifies and the separation from Bhagavan becomes unbearable, Bhagavan, by His grace, grants him His attainment. If the *sādhaka*'s goal is *Bhagavatprāpti* and he performs all his actions for Bhagavan alone, it means he has dedicated all his understanding, resources, capacity, and time for *Bhagavatprāpti*. What more can he do besides this? Bhagavan does not expect more from him. Therefore, Bhagavan grants him His attainment. The reason for this is that Bhagavan cannot be bought by any specific means. Before the greatness of Bhagavan, even the creation holds no significance; then how can His value be paid by the limited resources offered by an individual! Therefore, for His attainment, Bhagavan only expects from the *sādhaka* that he dedicates all his competence, capacity, etc., to My attainment and does not consider it his own.