Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 20 (BG 12.20) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

# BG 12.20 — The Immortal Dharma of Devotion As described in the verses above, the essence of eternal dharma has been revealed. In truth, the goal of those who follow the Hindu path is to realize the atman and to live that realization across all dimensions of existence — the physical, the mental, and the intellectual. For this, it is not sufficient merely to understand this knowledge at the intellectual level, or to recite the sacred scriptures regularly, or even to explain them well to others. One must assimilate the wisdom of the scriptures and become a complete human being through direct experience. Therefore, the Lord declares that one must possess shraddha — and here, shraddha means the capacity to internalize the knowledge of atman as taught by the scriptures through one's own direct experience. Such devotees are exceedingly dear to Me. With this verse, the description of the marks of the devotee concludes, and with it, the sixth section of this chapter and the chapter itself comes to an end. Although no new characteristic is introduced here, it contains the Lord's reassurance to all seekers: those endowed with the qualities described shall attain the supreme devotion of the Lord. --- **Conclusion** *Tat Sat* — Thus concludes the Twelfth Chapter, named the Yoga of Devotion, in the Bhagavad Gita Upanishad, the scripture of yoga, in the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna concerning the knowledge of Brahman. Thus ends the Twelfth Chapter, the Yoga of Devotion, of the Sri Bhagavad Gita Upanishad, the scripture of yoga, in the form of the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna.