Verse 12.10

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 12.10:

अभ्यासेऽप्य् असमर्थोऽसि मत्-कर्म-परमो भव ।
मद्-अर्थम् अपि कर्माणि कुर्वन् सिद्धिम् अवाप्स्यसि ॥ १० ॥

abhyāse'py asamartho'si mat-karma-paramo bhava |
mad-artham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi || 10 ||

abhyāse–to perform (even) the practice of sādhana-bhakti; api–if, however; asamarthaḥ–unable; asi–you are; mat-karma–to activities related to Me; paramaḥ–devoted; bhava–just be; mad-artham–for My sake; api–also; karmāṇi–activities; kurvan–through performing; siddhim–perfection; avāpsyasi–you will obtain.

If you are unable to engage in this practice, then just devote yourself to those activities that are intrinsically related with Me, because by performing activities such as śravaṇa and kīrtana for My pleasure, you will certainly attain perfection.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Ṭīkā

(By Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura; the innermost intention of the commentary named ‘the shower of essential meanings’)

“O Arjuna, just as a person whose tongue is affected by jaundice does not desire to taste sugar candy, in the same way, a mind that is polluted by ignorance does not accept the sweetness of My form. Consequently, if you think that you are unable to engage in this constant practice because you cannot fight with this very powerful, formidable mind, then listen. By performing virtuous and blessed activities for My pleasure, such as hearing and chanting about My pastimes, praying, worshipping, cleaning My temple, watering tulasī, collecting flowers and performing various other services, you will achieve perfection and become My loving associate, even without remembering Me.”

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti

(By Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja; the explanation that illuminates the commentary named Sārārtha-varṣiṇī)

In the previous verse, Śrī Kṛṣṇa instructed Arjuna to adopt abhyāsa-yoga, the practice of fixing the mind on Bhagavān. But with great humility, Arjuna said, “O Prabhu, because the mind is more flickering than the wind and very difficult to control, I will not have the strength to restrict it from sense objects by abhyāsa-yoga. I have previously submitted the same opinion at Your lotus feet (in the verse: cañcalaṃ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham, Gītā 6.34). Therefore, what shall I do?”

Smiling, Śrī Kṛṣṇa gave a third option. “If a person is not even able to engage in abhyāsa-yoga, then he should perform activities that are favourable to bhakti.”

There are many ways to serve Śrī Bhagavān, all of which require very little effort: building, maintaining and cleaning His temple, making a flower garden for His deity, caring for tulasī, etc. Such activities easily bring the mind under control and fix it in meditating on activities related to Bhagavān. Then, by practising the limbs of śuddha-bhakti such as śravaṇam, kīrtanam and smaraṇam under the guidance of pure Vaiṣṇavas, one gradually attains the perfection of service to Bhagavān.

In this regard, it is said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.11.34):

mal-liṅga-mad-bhakta-jana-darśana-sparśanārcanam
paricaryā stutiḥ prahva-guṇa-karmānukīrtanam

O Uddhava, a sādhaka gradually attains the fruit of pure love for Me, which is to become My associate. This is achieved by engaging with great faith in activities such as looking upon, touching, worshipping, serving, glorifying and paying obeisances to My deity form and My devotees, and always chanting about their qualities and activities.