Bhakti Yoga · Verse 10

Bhagavad Gita 12.10

Offered action can succeed where practice still fails.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।
मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन् सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
अगर तू अभ्यासयोग में भी असमर्थ है, तो मेरे लिये कर्म करनेके परायण हो जा । मेरे लिये कर्मोंको करता हुआ भी तू सिद्धिको प्राप्त हो जायगा ॥
English
If you are unable even to practice, then be devoted to working for Me. By doing actions for My sake, you will attain perfection.

What this verse means

If steady practice is too hard, dedicate your actions to Krishna instead. Even ordinary work offered with devotion can lead to fulfillment.

Context & commentary

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still unable to settle his mind fully on Krishna. Krishna lowers the entry point again: if even practice is too difficult, turn every action into offering. Devotion can carry what discipline cannot yet hold.

Why this verse still matters

You sit at the edge of a hospital bed, too shaken to pray properly, too tired to think clearly. Still, you can wash the cup, make the call, and offer the next act with care.

The takeaway

You are not blocked by weakness; you are invited to offer what you can do.

Word-by-word translation

अभ्यासेऽपि (even in practice) / असमर्थः (unable) / असि (you are) / मत्कर्मपरः (devoted to My work) / भव (become) / मदर्थम् (for My sake) / अपि (even) / कर्माणि (actions) / कुर्वन् (doing) / सिद्धिम् (perfection) / अवाप्स्यसि (you will attain)

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