Introduction
Bhagavad-Gītā Bhāṣyam – Volume 05 unfolds Ādi Śaṅkarācārya’s precise exposition of Bhakti-Yoga as taught in Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad-Gītā. Following the cosmic revelation of the Lord’s universal form in Chapter 11, this chapter addresses a deeply practical and devotional question: Śaṅkara resolves this apparent duality by clarifying that bhakti is not an independent means to liberation, but a disciplined attitude grounded in knowledge that matures into Self-realization. Chapter 12 defines devotion not as emotional intensity alone, but as steadfast understanding, mental purity, and surrender to truth. Volume 05 thus harmonizes devotion with non-duality, ensuring that Bhakti-Yoga serves as a bridge — not a barrier — to Advaita Vedānta. Click Here To Access more other text.
Central Focus of Volume 05
Śaṅkarācārya presents Bhakti-Yoga as a discipline of inner refinement for seekers whose minds are inclined toward devotion but not yet fully established in Self-knowledge. This chapter clarifies:
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The distinction between saguna and nirguna worship
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Why devotion must be supported by knowledge
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How bhakti purifies the mind and intellect
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The defining qualities of a true devotee
Volume 05 safeguards Advaita by showing that devotion culminates in knowledge, not dualistic dependence. Click view PDF.
Sanskrit Text (Devanāgarī)
ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि
मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः ।
अनन्येनैव योगेन
मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ॥ १२–६ ॥
Transliteration
ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi
mayi saṁnyasya mat-parāḥ |
ananyenaiva yogena
māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate || 12.6 || Click view PDF.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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ये (ye) – those who
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तु (tu) – but
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सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) – all
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कर्माणि (karmāṇi) – actions
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मयि (mayi) – in Me
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संन्यस्य (saṁnyasya) – having renounced / offered
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मत्पराः (mat-parāḥ) – regarding Me as supreme
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अनन्येन (ananyena) – without any other
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एव (eva) – indeed
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योगेन (yogena) – discipline
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माम् (mām) – Me
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ध्यायन्तः (dhyāyantaḥ) – meditating upon
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उपासते (upāsate) – worship Click view PDF.
English Translation
“But those who renounce all actions in Me, regarding Me as the Supreme,
worship Me with single-minded devotion, meditating upon Me alone.”
Brief Context Note (Optional for Study)
In this chapter, Arjuna asks whether devotion to the personal Lord or contemplation of the formless Absolute is superior. Śaṅkarācārya explains that nirguna-jñāna alone liberates, while saguna-bhakti is a powerful preparatory discipline that purifies the mind and steadies attention until knowledge arises. Click view PDF.
Key Philosophical Teachings
Bhakti as Mental Discipline
Bhakti is defined as:
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Steady contemplation
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Emotional restraint
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Intellectual clarity
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Dedication of actions
Śaṅkara rejects bhakti as mere sentimentality. Click view PDF.
Saguna and Nirguna Worship
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Saguna worship is accessible to most seekers
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Nirguna contemplation is the final means
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Both are not opposed, but sequential
Devotion matures into non-dual knowledge. Click view PDF.
Renunciation of Doership
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Offering actions to Īśvara weakens ego
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Desire for results is relinquished
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Mind becomes tranquil and pure
Renunciation is internal, not merely external. Click view PDF.
Qualities of the True Devotee
The ideal devotee is:
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Free from hatred
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Free from ego and possessiveness
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Equanimous in pleasure and pain
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Established in understanding
Such qualities indicate spiritual maturity. Click view PDF.
Key Points in Volume 05
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Defines bhakti in Vedāntic terms
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Prevents emotional or ritualistic misinterpretation
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Establishes devotion as preparatory
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Integrates bhakti with karma and jñāna
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Preserves Advaita without rejecting devotion Click view PDF.
Benefits of Studying Volume 05 with Śaṅkara’s Bhāṣya
Clarity in Devotion
Removes confusion between emotion and discipline.
Balanced Spiritual Life
Harmonizes worship, action, and inquiry.
Emotional Maturity
Cultivates steadiness and equanimity.
Preparation for Knowledge
Builds fitness for Advaitic realization. Click view PDF.
Major Themes Covered
Bhakti-Yoga Explained
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Single-minded devotion
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Offering actions to Īśvara
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Mental purification
Vedānta in Practice
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Non-attachment
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Equanimity
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Inner renunciation
Spiritual Maturity
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Stability amidst change
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Freedom from ego
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Silent devotion through understanding Click view PDF.
How to Study Volume 05 Effectively
Recommended Method
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Reflect on the listed qualities of devotion
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Observe emotional reactions in daily life
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Practice offering actions inwardly
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Study Śaṅkara’s distinctions carefully
Study Pace
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One verse per sitting
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Reflection is essential
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Repetition deepens assimilation Click view PDF.
Why Volume 05 Is Crucial
Philosophical Reason
It prevents misunderstanding bhakti as opposed to Advaita.
Practical Reason
It teaches devotion without dependency or fear.
Spiritual Reason
It prepares the seeker for steady abidance in truth. Click view PDF.
Conclusion
Bhagavad-Gītā Bhāṣyam – Volume 05 reveals Bhakti-Yoga as a refined inner discipline rooted in clarity and understanding. Through Śaṅkarācārya’s exposition, devotion is transformed from emotion into wisdom, from ritual into realization. This volume teaches how love for the Lord matures into knowledge of the Self, ensuring that devotion becomes a gateway to non-dual freedom, not a stopping point. Studied carefully, Chapter 12 makes Vedānta a lived and loving wisdom.
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