Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 – Part 2: Worship of the Formless vs. the Personal God
In our previous part, we saw how Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 begins with Arjuna’s heartfelt question: Is it better to worship the formless Brahman or to surrender to the personal form of God? Krishna responded with clarity, declaring that devotion to His personal form is the most perfect path for yogis.
Now, in this Part 2 of our 14-part series, Swami Mukundananda Ji deepens the discussion, explaining why devotion (bhakti) offers a richer spiritual experience, while also acknowledging that worship of the formless is not wrong. Let us walk through these verses and insights together.
Understanding the Three Realizations of God
“The three realizations of God — Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan — are like a train: at first it appears only as a distant light, as it comes closer its form becomes clearer, and finally, it is fully visible at the platform.”
Swami Mukundananda Ji begins by clarifying the three ways in which God can be realized:
- Brahman – The formless divine light (realized by Jnanis).
- Paramatma – The indwelling Supreme Soul (realized by Yogis).
- Bhagavan – The personal form of God who performs divine pastimes (realized by Bhaktas).
He compares this to seeing a train at different distances. From far away, all you see is a light. As it approaches, you begin to see its form. Finally, when it arrives, you see the full detail of its compartments. Likewise:
- The path of knowledge (Gyan) reveals God like a distant light.
- The path of meditation (Yoga) reveals Him as the indwelling Paramatma.
- The path of devotion (Bhakti) reveals God completely as Bhagavan.
This explains why Krishna considers the devotee dearest to Him — because Bhakti provides the fullest relationship with the Divine.
Bliss in Bhakti vs. Bliss in Gyan
"A mother experiences joy even when the child is in her womb but her joy gets doubled with she interacts with her baby. Similarly, the personal form of God gives us a more closer interaction with his forms, leelas & pastimes to meditate upon."
Swami Ji uses a tender analogy of motherhood. A mother experiences joy even when the child is in her womb, but when she finally holds, cuddles, and interacts with her baby, the joy multiplies.
Similarly, while a Jnani merges into the bliss of the formless Brahman, the Bhakta experiences the sweeter bliss of relating with God — serving Him, hearing His pastimes, and expressing love. The bliss of Bhakti is therefore more personal and heart-centered.
Shlokas 12.3–12.4: Krishna on Worship of the Formless
Shree Krishna acknowledges those who worship the formless Absolute:
Verse 12.3–12.4
ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते ।
सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यञ्च कूटस्थमचलं ध्रुवम् ॥ १२.३ ॥
सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः ।
ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥ १२.४ ॥
🔗 Read full verses and translation here
Translation:
Those who worship the formless, imperishable, indefinable, all-pervading, unthinkable, eternal, and immovable, restraining their senses, being even-minded, and devoted to the welfare of all beings, also attain Me.
Here Krishna confirms that worship of the formless also leads to Him. Hinduism’s beauty lies in this vastness — it embraces diversity in worship. Just as every individual has unique traits, God permits this variety of spiritual approaches.
Infinite Forms of the Divine
Swami Ji explains that God is infinite and manifests in endless forms, abodes, and universes. For instance, Tulsidas describes multiple Ram avatars in the Ramcharitmanas. Devotees like Kaag Bhushundi even travel across universes to witness Ram’s divine pastimes.
This richness of divine expression shows why it is limiting to declare that God can only be formless. The personal form is equally valid, and in fact, often sweeter.
Shloka 12.5: The Difficulty of Worshiping the Formless
Krishna, however, adds an important clarification:
Verse 12.5
क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् ।
अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते ॥ १२.५ ॥
🔗 Read full verse and translation here
Translation:
For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifest, the path of realization is exceedingly difficult. Worship of the formless is very troublesome for embodied beings.
Why is this so? Swami Ji explains:
- We are habituated to forms over countless lifetimes.
- The human mind and senses naturally seek something tangible and relatable.
- Meditating on abstract concepts like light or “Om” is difficult, as the mind wanders.
- In contrast, meditating on the beautiful form of Krishna or Ram feels natural and joyful.
Thus, Krishna gently guides us: while both paths are valid, the path of Bhakti is easier, more natural, and more fulfilling for most souls.
Effort and Grace
Swami Ji reminds us that spiritual success is not by self-effort alone. Both discipline (tapasya) and God’s grace are required. As the Shvetashvatara Upanishad says:
“Tapah prabhavat deva prasadach cha”
– By penance and by God’s blessings, realization becomes possible.
Bhakti Yoga uniquely invites God’s grace through loving surrender, making it a more accessible path than purely intellectual or austere practices.
📌 Key Takeaways from Part 2
- God can be realized as Brahman, Paramatma, or Bhagavan, with Bhakti offering the most complete realization.
- Krishna permits the worship of the formless, but explains that the path of devotion is sweeter and easier.
- Worship of the formless is possible, but extremely difficult for embodied beings.
- Bhakti Yoga is natural because our minds are conditioned to forms and relationships.
- Spiritual progress requires both self-effort and divine grace.
✅ FAQs
❓ What do verses 12.3–12.5 of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 teach?
They explain that worship of the formless also leads to God, but is very difficult. Krishna emphasizes that devotion to the personal form is more natural and fulfilling.
❓ Why is worship of the formless difficult?
Because the human mind is habituated to forms across lifetimes, meditating on abstract concepts like “light” or “Om” becomes challenging.
❓ Does Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 reject the formless God?
No. Krishna acknowledges it as a valid path but highlights the ease and sweetness of Bhakti Yoga.
❓ Which path is best according to Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12?
Krishna favors devotion to His personal form (Bhakti Yoga) as the best and most accessible spiritual path.
📚 References:
- Shlokas and translations: https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org
- Discourse reference: Swami Mukundananda Ji’s Divine Discourses on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12
🙏 Call to Action
"Swami Mukundananda Official Youtube Channel."
"Bhagavad Gita Krishna Bhakti Channel"
📅 Next Up – Part 3 of this series will be published tomorrow at 8:00 PM CST. We will continue exploring Krishna’s guidance, focusing on why Bhakti offers the most natural way to connect with God.
👉 Stay tuned for the next part!