Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 – Part 6: Work for the Pleasure of God

In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Krishna continues His compassionate guidance to Arjun. In earlier verses, He asked Arjun to surrender mind and intellect. But if that feels too difficult, Krishna does not abandon the seeker. Instead, He lowers the bar step by step, providing a ladder for all devotees — from the most advanced to beginners.

In this sixth part of the discourse, Swami Mukundananda Ji explains how Krishna makes Bhakti Yog accessible to everyone. Whether one can absorb the mind in God, practice Abhyas yoga, work for Him, or at least renounce the fruits of actions — there is always a way forward.

Verse 12.10 – Practice Through Abhyas Yoga

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 12.10

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।
मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १२.१० ॥

🔗 Read the verse here

Translation:
"If you cannot practice remembering Me with devotion, then just try to work for Me. Thus performing devotional service to Me, you shall achieve the stage of perfection."

Swami Ji explains that Krishna recognizes human difficulty. Not everyone can meditate deeply or maintain constant remembrance. So He suggests: “At least work for Me.” This means dedicating our daily activities to God.

The Restless Mind: TV Knob Analogy

Swami Ji compares the human mind to an old-fashioned TV knob. It keeps flicking between channels — from fear to desire, from one worry to another. Just like Eisenhower once said, the toughest battle was not World War II but his inner battle, we too struggle with restlessness inside.

Krishna therefore asks us to engage this restless mind by channeling it into God-centered actions. If the mind won’t sit still, at least let the body act in His service.

The Monkey Story: Restlessness Multiplied

To explain restlessness, Swami Ji narrates a vivid example:

• A monkey is naturally restless.
• If a scorpion bites it, the restlessness increases.
• Add hysteria, and it worsens.
• Add alcohol, and it goes completely out of control.

This shows how the human mind, already restless like a monkey, becomes more disturbed when bitten by desires, worries, and distractions. The solution: give the mind noble work to stay engaged.

Adding God into Daily Activities

Krishna’s teaching is practical. Even if one cannot meditate or chant for long hours, one can still infuse divinity into ordinary tasks:

• A homemaker can clean, cook, or care for children as an offering to God.
• A professional can work with the attitude: “This is for the Lord.”
• Even running, studying, or managing responsibilities can be God-centered if done with bhakti.

This way, no action is wasted. Every activity becomes part of spiritual growth when dedicated to Krishna.

Verse 12.11 – Renouncing Fruits of Actions

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 12.11

अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः ।
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् ॥ १२.११ ॥

🔗 Read the verse here

Translation:
"If you are unable to even work for Me in devotion, then try to renounce the fruits of your actions and be situated in the self."

Swami Ji explains that this is the lowest step Krishna offers — yet it is still powerful. If one cannot keep God in mind while working, then simply let go of attachment to results. Do the work sincerely, but surrender the outcome.

NATO – Not Attached To Outcome

Swami Ji uses a modern acronym: NATO – Not Attached To Outcome.

This principle means:

• Perform your duty with full effort.
• Do not obsess over results.
• Let success or failure belong to God.

This mindset relieves stress, removes anxiety, and brings peace. It also aligns with Krishna’s core teaching in Chapter 2: “You have the right to work, but not to the fruits thereof.”

Story of the Pregnant Deer

Swami Ji shares a touching parable. A pregnant deer is about to give birth. On one side, hunters are aiming arrows. On the other, a lion is waiting to pounce. Above, dark clouds thunder. The deer could panic, but instead she focuses only on giving birth. In that moment, everything else resolves itself — the hunter misses, the lion is struck by lightning, and the deer safely delivers her fawn.

The lesson: focus on the present duty without worrying about results. Circumstances will align when we are devoted to our responsibility.

Zen Master Tetsu Zen

Another beautiful story is of Zen master Tetsu Zen. His monastery caught fire, and villagers asked him to escape. But he stayed calm, surrendering to the will of God. With no anxiety about life or death, he remained at peace. His surrender demonstrates what it means to truly renounce the fruits of action and remain detached from outcome.

Key Takeaways from Part 6

• Krishna offers a compassionate ladder of devotion:
  1. Surrender mind and intellect.
  2. If not, practice abhyas yoga.
  3. If not, work for Him.
  4. If not, at least renounce the fruits of actions.
• The restless mind must be engaged in divine work.
• Even ordinary tasks can be sanctified if offered to God.
• Letting go of results (NATO) brings inner freedom.
• Stories like the monkey, the deer, and Zen master Tetsu Zen make these truths relatable.

✅ FAQs

❓ What does Krishna mean by working for Him?

It means dedicating daily actions to God, whether cooking, working, or studying, with the intention of offering them in devotion.

❓ What if I cannot meditate or practice Bhakti regularly?

Krishna suggests working for Him, or at least renouncing the fruits of actions, so that spiritual progress remains possible for all.

❓ What is the meaning of renouncing fruits of actions in Chapter 12?

It means performing duties sincerely but surrendering results — whether success or failure — to God, remaining detached.

❓ How does NATO (Not Attached To Outcome) help in devotion?

It reduces stress, removes anxiety, and aligns us with Krishna’s teaching of detachment, leading to peace of mind.

❓ What lesson does the pregnant deer story teach?

It teaches us to focus on the present duty with trust in God, instead of being paralyzed by fears of the future.

📚 References

• Shlokas and translations: https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org
• Discourse: Swami Mukundananda Ji’s Divine Discourses on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Part 6

🙏 Call to Action

📅 Next Up – Part 7 will be released tomorrow at 8:00 PM CST. Stay tuned as Krishna continues to guide seekers deeper into Bhakti Yog.