Gita Chapter 12

Shloka 12

12. Knowledge indeed is better than practice.  Meditation is better than Knowledge.  Renunciation of the results of all actions is better than meditation.  Peace immediately follows such renunciation.

            Shri Krishna said that focus your mind and intellect on Me (God or Atman).  Then, without doubt, you will attain the highest knowledge.  If you cannot focus your mind, then practice to bring your mind from the worldly objects to the Atman.  If you cannot practice that, then perform actions to realize Atman.  If you cannot perform such actions, then offer the results of all your actions to God. 

One has to follow the path which is suitable to him/her.  The suitability of a path depends on one’s capacity and chemistry of mind.  One should not try a path thinking whether it is superior or inferior to other paths.  If a path is not suitable to one’s capacity, then one will not be able to accomplish much success.  Following an unsuitable path may result in developing doubts and disgust for the spiritual goal and its benefits.  Shri Krishna is making Arjuna, and indirectly to all of us, understand that the path which is suitable to our personality is the best path for our spiritual progress.  If we follow any one of the above-mentioned paths, we will attain the realization of God or Atman through that path.   

            If we remember Arjuna’s situation, then Shri Krishna’s message becomes clear.  Arjuna told Shri Krishna that the outcome of the war is extremely painful and he said (Gita 2.8),  “I do not see that either the unrivaled kingdom on earth filled with prosperity or the lordship over the gods in heaven will appease my sorrows which are draining away energy from my senses.” Arjuna was dragged into the war by his greedy and jealous cousins.  He had to fight for the righteous cause.  He saw the upcoming destruction of hundreds of thousands of people and the sufferings that would follow the war.  ‘What to do in this situation?’ was Arjuna’s dilemma.  Out of compassion and being a guide, Shri Krishna told him the path that is suitable to him.  He had to convince Arjuna that the renunciation of the results of actions is the most suitable path for him.  Shri Krishna said that such renunciation would bring immediate peace of mind, which Arjuna was seeking. 

            Like Arjuna, most people go through somewhat similar situations.  People have to work hard to meet the ends in life and take care of hundreds of responsibilities.  Sometimes, there is no time to sit down and meditate on God or fight with the mind to focus it on God.  If Shri Krishna had not shown the alternatives, then most people would feel that they are unfit for spiritual practices and there is no hope for them.  Shri Krishna, a great compassionate teacher, would not let that happen.  This is the reason why Arjuna chose Shri Krishna without weapons as his guide over His strong and powerful army with weapons.  Shri Krishna’s guidance was helpful to Arjuna to perform his duties and to bring peace in his life, and this guidance also gave hope to millions of people afterward. 

            Shri Krishna’s Karma Yoga, the path of actions, is most practical and applicable to most people.  It starts with renouncing the results of actions, and if properly followed, it culminates in bringing the highest knowledge and a state of God Realization.  For some reason, if a seeker starts with renunciation of results of actions and later on does not realize God, then Shri Krishna assures that at least peace of mind will follow such renunciation.  Such a peace of mind is impossible to attain through any other means.  Thus, this shloka has a profound practical guidance to all of us.

            In Bhagavad Gita, at three places Shri Krishna describes the characteristics of perfection or values which make one a decent human being: at the end of chapter 2, as characteristics of “Sthitaprajna,” (a person with steady intellect); at the end of chapter 12, as characteristics of a beloved devotee; and at the end of chapter 14, as characteristics of “Gunatita,” (a person who is beyond the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas).  There are so many commonalities in these values.  Combining all these, one has a precise list of values to practice in one’s life.  Even if one does not want to go on the spiritual path, these values provide a strong foundation upon which one can build one’s life.  A decent amount of progress in these values will help a person attain worldly success and peace of mind.  If people of a society or a country practice these values, that society and country become a role model for others to follow.  Definitely, that society and country will be prosperous and respectable in the world.  This is a way to bring peace on earth. 

            It is difficult to be an ideal human being.  We can always find some imperfections in an ideal being.  But that should not discourage people from trying to reach perfection.  Those who try to be perfect or to be decent human beings and try hard to go as close to the perfection as possible, they become salt of the earth.  They inspire other people to follow these values.  When people practice values, then they find that it is easier to follow values than to live a value-less, unethical, and immoral life.  One acquires peace of mind by following values. On the other hand, life becomes more and more miserable to live a contrary life.

            Naturally, a devotee loves God.  The question comes: “Does God love His/Her devotee?”  What kind of devotee is loved by God?  Here, from shlokas 13-19, Shri Krishna describes the characteristics of a devotee which He, as a Lord, wants to see in His beloved devotee.