Vyasa · a new plain-English translation from the Sanskrit
12.1 Arjuna said: Between those devotees who worship you, ever disciplined, and those who worship the imperishable, the unmanifest, which have the deeper knowledge of yoga?
12.2 The Blessed Lord said: Those who fix their minds on me and worship me, ever disciplined, endowed with supreme faith — these I consider most perfectly disciplined.
12.3 But those who worship the imperishable, the indefinable, the unmanifest, the all-pervading, the inconceivable, the unchanging, the immovable, the constant,
12.4 restraining the whole host of the senses, of equal mind in all conditions, delighting in the welfare of all beings — they too attain to me.
12.5 The difficulty is greater for those whose minds are set on the unmanifest, for the unmanifest goal is reached with hardship by those who bear a body.
12.6 But those who, surrendering all actions to me, intent on me alone, worship me, meditating on me by that undivided discipline —
12.7 for them, whose minds are fixed on me, I soon become the one who lifts them up out of the ocean of death and rebirth, Partha.
12.8 Fix your mind on me alone; let your understanding rest in me. In me alone you shall dwell hereafter — of this there is no doubt.
12.9 But if you are unable to hold your mind steadily upon me, then seek to reach me through the discipline of practice, Arjuna.
12.10 If you are unequal even to practice, be intent on works done for my sake; performing actions for my sake, you will attain perfection.
12.11 But if you are unable even to do this, taking refuge in my discipline, then renounce the fruit of all action, with the self restrained.
12.12 Knowledge is indeed better than practice; meditation is superior to knowledge; renunciation of the fruit of action is better than meditation; peace follows immediately upon renunciation.
12.13 He who bears no ill will toward any being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and from the sense of I, the same in pleasure and in pain, and forbearing,
12.14 ever content, disciplined, self-controlled, of firm resolve, his mind and understanding surrendered to me — that devotee of mine is dear to me.
12.15 He by whom the world is not disturbed, and who is not disturbed by the world, who is free from joy, impatience, fear, and agitation — he too is dear to me.
12.16 He who wants nothing, is pure, capable, indifferent to outcomes, free from anxiety, who has given up every undertaking — that devotee of mine is dear to me.
12.17 He who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor desires, who has renounced both good and evil, full of devotion — he is dear to me.
12.18 The same toward enemy and friend, and likewise in honor and dishonor, the same in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, free from attachment,
12.19 regarding blame and praise alike, silent, content with whatever comes, without a fixed home, steady of mind, full of devotion — that man is dear to me.
12.20 But those who honor this immortal teaching of righteousness just as it has been declared, full of faith, holding me as their highest goal, devoted — they are exceedingly dear to me.