As we arrive at the end of this sacred journey through Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna now completes His divine discourse on the qualities of His most beloved devotees.
In Verses 12.19 and 12.20, He reveals the final characteristics that define a true bhakta — qualities rooted in detachment, resilience, introspection, unwavering devotion, and deep faith.
Let us contemplate these final verses — the culmination of Bhakti Yoga — and allow their nectar to touch our hearts.
🕉️ Bhagavad Gita 12.19
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् |
अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः ||
Translation:
"Those who take praise and reproach alike, who are given to silent contemplation, content with what comes their way, without attachment to place of residence, whose intellect is firmly fixed in Me, and who are full of devotion to Me, such persons are very dear to Me."
🌿 1. Praise and Reproach Alike
"A devotee is not swayed by praise or insult — they remain inwardly poised."
Once, at an institute for the hearing and speech-impaired, two inmates were seen quarreling. One was angrily gesturing in sign language, while the other had turned away, laughing peacefully. The warden explained:
“He’s trying to insult his friend — but his friend refuses to look at him. In sign language, if the other won’t look, you can’t insult them!”
🌸 Lesson:
People can say anything — but you don’t have to feel hurt.
As the wise say: “To shorten a line, draw a longer one instead of erasing it.”
🎯 Ratan Tata's Story:
When Ford mocked Tata Motors after the Nano project failed, Ratan Tata remained silent. Years later, when Ford struggled and sold its luxury brands, Tata graciously acquired them. No bitterness, only dignity.
Shri Krishna says: Such inner maturity is very dear to Me.
🌿 2. Given to Silent Contemplation
🧘♂️ Mauni refers to one who embraces silence — not just physically, but mentally.
Visionaries like Bill Gates take annual “Think Weeks,” cutting off from digital noise to spend time in quiet reading and reflection.
🌿 All deep thinkers, inventors, and sages have cherished such solitude.
Shri Krishna says: Those given to silent contemplation are very dear to Me.
🌿 3. Content with What Comes Their Way
Desire is a never-ending cycle:
A king desires to be emperor,
The emperor wants to be Indra,
Indra desires Brahma's post —
Still, the thirst never ends.
🏠 Many come to the US, start in a condo → then a townhouse → then a bungalow → then a mansion — but still feel incomplete.
It never ends — unless contentment is embraced.
📿 The devotee prays:
“Sai, Malik, itna dijiye jame kutumb samay;
Main bhi bhookha na rahu, sadhu na bhookha jaye.”
If you have enough for yourself and to help one more, be content.
Shri Krishna says: Such a soul is very dear to Me.
🌿 4. Without Attachment to Residence
🏰 When Akbar built his capital at Fatehpur Sikri, he inscribed a quote he believed was from the Bible:
“This world is a bridge — cross over it, build no house upon it.”
It was later found not to be from the Bible — but the truth remains timeless.
🌍 We are travelers. This world is like a dharmashala — a temporary resting place.
Would you repaint your hotel walls because you’re staying two nights?
🌿 The wise don’t become attached to places, possessions, or prestige.
Shri Krishna says: Those unattached to residence are very dear to Me.
🌿 5. Intellect Firmly Fixed in Me
A clock once hesitated to start, fearing the millions of tick-tocks it would have to do.
The clockmaker smiled:
“Don’t worry about the millions — just do one tick-tock at a time.”
💡 The lesson: Don’t overthink. Just continue.
Many begin the spiritual path, few persist. Why? Because inner resolve is missing.
It is not brilliance, but grit and faith that carry a devotee forward.
Shri Krishna says: Those with firm intellect and steady devotion are dear to Me.
🌿 6. Full of Devotion to Me
After describing so many qualities, Shri Krishna lovingly reminds:
🕊️ “If you are full of devotion to Me — you are very dear to Me.”
🕉️ Bhagavad Gita 12.20
श्रद्धावान् मत्परमः भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ||
Translation:
"Those who honour this nectar of wisdom declared here, have faith in Me, and are devoted and intent on Me as the supreme goal — they are extremely dear to Me."
🕉️ Bhagavad Gita 12.20
श्रद्धावान् मत्परमः भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ||
Translation:
"Those who honour this nectar of wisdom declared here, have faith in Me, and are devoted and intent on Me as the supreme goal — they are extremely dear to Me."
🌿 7. Faith in Divine Wisdom and Wholehearted Devotion
With this verse, Shri Krishna beautifully summarizes everything He has taught in Chapter 12.
He says:
“Shraddhavan — the one with faith,
Matparamah — who sees Me as the Supreme Goal,
Bhaktah — who is devoted to Me,
Such a person is not just dear, but extremely dear to Me.”
Let’s break this down:
🔹 Shraddhavan — One With Faith
Faith is the bridge between the teachings and transformation.
📚 Someone may read the Bhagavad Gita, listen to discourses, or study scriptures — but unless there is shraddha (faith), the knowledge won’t take root in the heart.
🕊️ Faith means trusting the process even when results are not visible.
It means believing that the path of Bhakti is valid, powerful, and enough — even if the world says otherwise.
🔹 Matparamah — Seeing God as the Supreme Goal
In life, people set different goals — wealth, status, relationships, achievements.
But a devotee slowly shifts their inner compass to one singular, sacred direction:
“I want God above all else.”
🎯 This does not mean abandoning worldly responsibilities — but living with spiritual purpose, remembering that everything is secondary to our ultimate union with the Divine.
🔹 Bhaktah — Devoted to Me
Devotion is the heartbeat of this entire chapter.
From verse 12.13 to 12.20, Shri Krishna has described many qualities — but now He says:
“Those who honor this nectar of wisdom declared here, have faith in Me, and are devoted and intent on Me as the supreme goal, they are exceedingly dear to Me.”
🕯️ It’s not just about what you do, but why you do it.
A task done with devotion becomes worship.
🌼 Reflection
Ask yourself:
✅ Do I trust the words of the Gita as divine wisdom?
✅ Do I place God at the center of my life?
✅ Do I serve, think, and live with devotion?
If yes — even in small ways — Shri Krishna is saying to you, personally:
“You are extremely dear to Me.”
What a profound and loving promise to end this sacred chapter.
🌸 Conclusion: Faith, Wisdom, and Bhakti – The Final Word
With this verse, Shri Krishna concludes the section in His signature style — by summarizing the essence of His message.
🔹 He began by saying: “My devotees are very dear to Me.”
🔹 Then He described their qualities — resilience, detachment, contentment, tolerance, and devotion.
🔹 And now, He closes with a promise:
“If you have faith in this wisdom, if you cherish these teachings, and if your heart is devoted to Me — then you are exceedingly dear to Me.”
🌼 This is the path of Bhakti Yoga — the path of divine love, grounded in wisdom and lived through surrender.
✅ FAQs
Q: What are the final qualities of a true devotee in Bhagavad Gita 12.19?
They remain calm in praise or criticism, love solitude for contemplation, are content with what comes, detached from residence, intellectually steady, and full of devotion to God.
Q: What does Bhagavad Gita 12.20 teach?
It concludes the chapter by emphasizing faith in divine wisdom, devotion to God, and seeing Him as the supreme goal — such devotees are extremely dear to the Lord.
Q: What does “Aniketa” mean in Gita 12.19?
Aniketa means not being attached to a fixed home or place — living with the understanding that the world is temporary.
Q: Why is contentment a spiritual quality?
Because desires never end. A contented heart is free from agitation and better focused on God.
Q: What is the central message of Gita Chapter 12?
That a life of love, faith, humility, and devotion — lived with steadiness and surrender — makes one most beloved to Shri Krishna.
🌼 Final Bow: The Heart of Bhakti Yoga
With these final verses, Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita — the Bhakti Yoga chapter — concludes not just in words, but in a call to the heart.
To live in this world with…
✅ Calm in chaos
✅ Silence amidst noise
✅ Joy in simplicity
✅ Detachment in action
✅ Steadiness in purpose
✅ And devotion in the soul —
…is to walk the path that leads straight into the embrace of the Divine.
🕊️ Shri Krishna Chandra Bhagwan Ki — Jai!
