Gita 12.16
Bhakti Yoga
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः | सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ||१६||
anapekṣaḥ śucir dakṣa udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ | sarvārambha-parityāgī yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ ||16||
In essence: Without expectations, pure, skillful, unconcerned, free from distress, renouncing all selfish undertakings - that devotee is dear to Me.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Udāsīna - unconcerned or neutral - sounds cold. Don't I need passion to accomplish things?"
Guru: "Udāsīna means not being entangled in others' dramas and conflicts, not being indifferent to life itself. It's staying centered rather than getting swept into emotional whirlpools. You can care deeply while remaining centered."
Sadhak: "'Renouncing all undertakings' - but I have responsibilities, projects, work!"
Guru: "Sarvārambha-parityāgī means renouncing the ego's claim on undertakings, not abandoning action. The ego says 'this is my project, my initiative, my achievement.' The devotee does the work without this possessiveness. Action continues; the 'I am doing' dissolves."
Sadhak: "How can I be without expectations? Even waking up involves expecting the sun to rise."
Guru: "Anapekṣa targets psychological expectations - demands on how life should treat you. Practical expectations (the floor will support me) aren't the issue. It's 'my colleagues should appreciate me, my plans should succeed, life should be fair' - these cause suffering when unmet."
Sadhak: "Being pure, capable, and unconcerned all at once seems contradictory."
Guru: "They complement each other. Purity gives clarity. Capability enables effective action. Being unconcerned provides freedom from anxious interference. Imagine a surgeon: pure intention (healing), capable hands, unconcerned about personal reputation during surgery. All three together create excellence."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Examine today's expectations. What outcomes are you attached to? List three and consciously release them: 'I'll do my best, but I release demanding this result.' This doesn't mean not caring; it means holding outcomes loosely.
Practice being dakṣa (capable) without ego. Do your work skillfully for its own sake, not for recognition. Notice when you want credit - this reveals where ego still drives. Also practice udāsīna - when drama arises, remain centered rather than taking sides.
Reflect on purity (śuci) - were thoughts and intentions clean today? Where did hidden motives operate? No judgment, just observation. Also notice if distress (vyatha) arose. What triggered it? How quickly did you return to center? Progress is measured in recovery speed.