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Bhagavad-gītā 12.10

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव । मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १० ॥
abhyāse ’py asamartho ’si
[abhyaase ’py asamartho ’si]
mat-karma-paramo bhava
[mat-karma-paramo bhava]
mad-artham api karmāṇi
[mad-artham api karmaani]
kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi
[kurvan siddhim avaapsyasi]
Word-for-word
abhyāse — in practice api — even if asamarthaḥ — unable asi — you are mat - karma — My work paramaḥ — dedicated to bhava — become mat - artham — for My sake api — even karmāṇi — work kurvan — performing siddhim — perfection avāpsyasi — you will achieve .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
abhyāse ’py asamartho ’si
abhyāse
in practice
mat-karma-paramo bhava
api
even if
mad-artham api karmāṇi
kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi
asamarthaḥ
unable
asi
you are
mat - karma
My work
paramaḥ
dedicated to
bhava
become
mat - artham
for My sake
api
even
karmāṇi
work
kurvan
performing
siddhim
perfection
avāpsyasi
you will achieve .
Important Words
  • abhyāse — in regulated practice
    Picks up the word from v.9 only to set it aside. Kṛṣṇa systematically descends a staircase of methods; each step names the previous and concedes that some hearers will not be able to climb it.
  • asamarthaḥ — unable
    Negation of samartha, 'capable.' Kṛṣṇa keeps acknowledging incapacity — and keeps offering a lower rung. The structure of the chapter is an act of mercy in grammar.
  • mat - karma — work for Me
    Compound: mat (Me, genitive sense) + karma (work). Not karma in general, but karma whose explicit recipient is Kṛṣṇa. The work is unchanged; the dative changes everything.
  • paramaḥ — dedicated, holding as supreme
    Same root as v.6-7's mat-parāḥ. The work must be one's supreme orientation — not a hobby alongside other allegiances. One supreme object, many possible activities.
  • mat - artham — for My sake
    Compound with -artham suffix, 'for the purpose of Me.' Sanskrit's clean way of pointing the action's purpose-arrow at Kṛṣṇa. The work is identified by where its arrow points.
  • siddhim — perfection
    From sidh — the same word used for the eight yogic siddhis and for liberation itself. Kṛṣṇa uses it without qualification: by working for Him, you will achieve siddhi. Not 'a kind of progress' — perfection.
If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
Step three. If formal meditative practice is too hard, simply work for Me — build the temple, feed the devotees, preach, serve. External action dedicated to Kṛṣṇa is itself a sufficient path. 'Siddhi' here is the same destination, only approached through the hands rather than the mind.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
Mat-karma-paramaḥ is the technical term for the karma-yogī whose external labour is entirely for the Lord. This rung is particularly accessible to active householders who lack contemplative aptitude. Note the compounding: mat-karma (My work) and mad-artha (for My sake) cover both the object and the motive. ISKCON's whole sevā culture takes this verse as a charter. Cross-ref Nārada Bhakti Sūtra 81 — service as a substitute when contemplation falters.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
अभ्यासे अपि असमर्थः असि (चेत्), मत्-कर्म-परमः भव; मत्-अर्थम् अपि कर्माणि कुर्वन् सिद्धिम् अवाप्स्यसि।
abhyāse api asamarthaḥ asi (cet), mat-karma-paramaḥ bhava; mat-artham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi|
If you are unable even at practice, become one to whom My work is supreme; even by doing actions for My sake you will attain perfection.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
अभ्यासे अपि असमर्थः असि मत्-कर्म-परमः भव । मत्-अर्थम् अपि कर्माणि कुर्वन् सिद्धिम् अवाप्स्यसि ॥
abhyāse api asamarthaḥ asi mat-karma-paramaḥ bhava | mat-artham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
अभ्यासे abhyāse अभ्यास (m.) loc.sg. (locative singular) in (the) practice
अपि api ind. (indeclinable), concessive even
असमर्थः asamarthaḥ a- + समर्थ (adj.) nom.sg. (nominative singular)m. unable, incapable
असि asi √अस् pres. (present) 2sg.par. (parasmaipada / active voice) you are
मत्-कर्म-परमः mat-karma-paramaḥ मद् (pron. (pronoun) stem) + कर्मन् (n.) + परम (adj.) nom.sg. (nominative singular)m., bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) one to whom work for Me is the highest
भव bhava √भू impv. 2sg.par. (parasmaipada / active voice) become, be
मत्-अर्थम् mat-artham मद् (pron. (pronoun) stem) + अर्थ (m.) acc.sg. (accusative singular) used adverbially for My sake
अपि api ind. (indeclinable) even
कर्माणि karmāṇi कर्मन् (n.) acc.pl. (accusative plural) actions, works
कुर्वन् kurvan √कृ pres. (present) part. nom.sg. (nominative singular)m. performing
सिद्धिम् siddhim सिद्धि (f., from √सिध्) acc.sg. (accusative singular) perfection, accomplishment
अवाप्स्यसि avāpsyasi अव + √आप् fut. (future) 2sg.par. (parasmaipada / active voice) you will obtain
Purport

One who is not able even to practice the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga, under the guidance of a spiritual master, can still be drawn to this perfectional stage by working for the Supreme Lord. How to do this work has already been explained in the fifty-fifth verse of the Eleventh Chapter. One should be sympathetic to the propagation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There are many devotees who are engaged in the propagation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and they require help. So, even if one cannot directly practice the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga, he can try to help such work. Every endeavor requires land, capital, organization and labor. Just as in business one requires a place to stay, some capital to use, some labor and some organization to expand, so the same is required in the service of Kṛṣṇa. The only difference is that in materialism one works for sense gratification. The same work, however, can be performed for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, and that is spiritual activity. If one has sufficient money, he can help in building an office or temple for propagating Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Or he can help with publications. There are various fields of activity, and one should be interested in such activities. If one cannot sacrifice the results of his activities, the same person can still sacrifice some percentage to propagate Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This voluntary service to the cause of Kṛṣṇa consciousness will help one to rise to a higher state of love for God, whereupon one becomes perfect.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
10. If you are unable to practice in this manner, then perform transcendental services for Me. Performing activities for My pleasure, you will attain perfection.
Commentary

“As the tongue contaminated by jaundice does not like sugar candy, so the mind contaminated by ignorance does not accept Your form, even though it is sweet. Therefore, it is not possible for me to combat this very strong, uncontrollable mind.” “If you should think in this way, then I answer with these words.” “Become engaged in My supreme activities, in activities meant for the highest benefit (mat-karma-paramaḥ). Doing services (karmāṇi kurvan) such as hearing and singing about Me, bowing to Me, worshiping Me, sweeping and washing My temple, picking flowers, [Note: These are external activities of bhakti.] even without remembrance of Me as previously described, you will attain perfection (siddhim), characterized by being one of My associates in prema.”

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
10. If you are unable to practice in this manner, then perform your activities for Me, taking that as the goal of your life. Performing activities for My pleasure, you will attain association with Me.
Commentary

“As the mind is fickle like the wind, I do not have the power to restrain it.” If you cannot gradually fix the mind by practice, be a person whose activities, being offered to Me, lead to the highest goal (mat karma paramaḥ). Such activities were previously described as building My temple and watering My flower garden. [Note: This was mentioned in chapter eleven, verse 55: mat karma kṛt.] When you do these activities which are easily performed on My behalf, by the power of directing all those activities to My very attractive form, your mind will become absorbed in Me, that attractive form, and you will attain a position close to Me (siddhim). By this method one can very easily attain Me.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

This stage is: just work for Krsna. Working for Krsna is when one gives up his work and do what Krsna wants him to do. If one does that, he will come to the perfect stage of always thinking about Krsna. If one is not advanced enough to be always thinking of Krsna, then he should practice thinking of Krsna. But if he cannot even do that then he should work for Krsna. This would be 'niskama karma‑yoga'

[4. Surrendering to Krsna the results of one's work. (11) ]

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

If you cannot practice 12.9 (practicing the regulations of Bhakti-Yoga) then

Engage all external senses for working for Krishna
Work for Krishna
Benefit – You will come to the perfect stage
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
12.10 If asamarthah asi, you are unable; api, even; abhyase, to practise; then, bhava, be; mat-karma-paramah, intent on works for Me-works (karma) meant for Me (mat) are mat-karma-i.e., you be such that works meant for Me become most important to you. In the absence of Practice, api, even; kurvan, by undertaking; karmani, works alone; madartham, for Me; avapsyasi, you will attain; siddhim, perfection-by gradually aciring purification of mind, concentration and Knowledge.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
12.10 If you are incapable of practising remembrance in the above manner, then devote yourself to 'My deeds.' Such devotional acts consist in the construction of temples, laying out temple gardens, lighting up lamps therein, sweeping, sprinkling water and plastering the floor of holy shrines, gathering flowers, engaging in My worship, chanting My names, circumambulating My temples, praising Me, prostrating before Me etc. Do these with great affection. Even performing such works which are exceedingly dear to Me, you will, before long, get your mind steadily focused on Me as through the practice of repetitions, and will gain perfection through attaining Me.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
12.10 Abhyase'pi etc. The constant practice too becomes impossible due to the predominance of the obstacles etc. In that case, in order to eradicate them, you should perform actions like worship, repetition [of the Lord's name etc.], recitation [of scriptures], offering oblations, etc.
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
12.10 If thou art unable to practise even this Abhyasa Yoga, be thou intent on doing actions for My sake; even by doing actions for My sake, thou shalt attain perfection.
Commentary

12.10 अभ्यासे in practice? अपि also? असमर्थः not capable? असि (thou) art? मत्कर्मपरमः intent on doing actions for My sake? भव be? मदर्थम् for My sake? अपि also? कर्माणि actions? कुर्वन् by doing? सिद्धिम् perfection? अवाप्स्यसि thou shalt attain.Commentary Even if thou doest mee actions for My sake without practising Yoga thou shalt attain perfection. Thou shalt first attain purity of mind? then Yoga (concentration and meditation)? then knowledge and then ultimately perfection (Moksha or liberation). Serving humanity with Narayana Bhava (feeling that one is serving the Lord in all) is also doing actions for the sake of the Lord. such service should go hand in hand with worship of God and meditation.If you are not able to practise the Yoga of meditation mentioned in verse 8 or the Yoga of constant practice mentioned in verse 9? hear the glorious stories connected with the Lord by attending religious discourses? conducted by the devotees of the Lord? sing Kirtan and the praises of the Lord.Practise the nine kinds of Bhagavata Dharma (the nine modes of devotion). viz.? (1) hearing the Lilas (glorious and divine sports) of the Lord (Sravana)? (2) singing His Names (Kirtana)? (3) constant remembrance of the Lord and constant repetition of His Names or Mantras (Smarana)? (4) service of His feet (Padasevana)? (5) offering flowers in worship (Archana)? (6) doing prostrations to the Lord (Vandana)? (7) becoming His servant (Dasya)? (8) friendship with Him (Sakhya)? and (9) doing total selfsurrender to the Lord (Atmanivedana). (Cf.III.19XI.55)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
12.10 If you are unable even to practise, be intent on works for Me. By undertaking works for Me as well, you will attain perfection. [Identity with Brahman.]
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
12.10 And if thou are not strong enough to practise concentration, then devote thyself to My service, do all thine acts for My sake, and thou shalt still attain the goal.
Related values & verses
Primary values
Seva (Service / Selfless Action)
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)
Related verses
BG 3.19 BG 9.27 BG 18.46 SB 1.2.13 SB 11.14.21 SB 11.29.9 CC Madhya 19.170 CC Madhya 22.141 CC Antya 4.67 Īśa Upaniṣad 1 BRS 1.2.255
Concepts
Bhava
Sciences essays referencing this verse
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
If you cannot follow regulative principles, work for Me — by performing work for Me, you will come to perfection.
Practical Applications
  • Honor the next gradation: working for Kṛṣṇa.
  • Make even ordinary work an offering when meditation is hard.
  • Don't disqualify yourself; there is always a level open.
Reflection Questions
  • What work could I most easily reframe as 'for Kṛṣṇa'?
  • What stops me from doing so?
Analogy

A servant who cannot yet sit at his master's feet and contemplate his face can still polish his shoes, sweep his courtyard, prepare his food. The work itself, done for the master, draws the mind toward him. Kṛṣṇa lowers the rung again: if regulated practice is beyond reach, just work — for Me.

Stories
Hanumān's bridge

While Rāma sat in council and Lakṣmaṇa stood watch, Hanumān leapt the ocean, scouted Laṅkā, and led the vānaras who hauled boulders for the bridge. He did not meditate his way to Rāma; he carried stones for Him.

Every rock placed in the sea was japa for Hanumān. By the time the bridge was complete, his mind had no other content. This is mat-karma-paramaḥ in stone and sweat — perfection achieved not in spite of the work but precisely through the work, done for the Lord's sake.

Arjuna himself

Arjuna is being prescribed his own future on the battlefield. He cannot, this morning, fix his mind in samādhi; he cannot follow the full regulations of bhakti-yoga in the middle of an army. But he can fight for Kṛṣṇa — and that, Kṛṣṇa says, is enough for perfection.

The Gītā's whole denouement at 18.73 — 'I will do as You say' — is the ripening of this single verse's seed.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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