Gita 12.20
Bhakti Yoga
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते | श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ||२०||
ye tu dharmyāmṛtam idaṁ yathoktaṁ paryupāsate | śraddadhānā mat-paramā bhaktās te'tīva me priyāḥ ||20||
In essence: Those who follow this immortal dharma as declared, with faith, holding Me as supreme - those devotees are exceedingly dear to Me.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "This is the chapter's conclusion. What is the 'immortal dharma' Krishna refers to?"
Guru: "The qualities described in verses 13-19: freedom from hatred, equanimity, contentment, steadiness, non-attachment, devotion. These are not arbitrary rules but the natural characteristics of one established in truth. Following them leads to amṛta - immortality, liberation."
Sadhak: "'Exceedingly dear' - atīva priya. This sounds like favoritism from God."
Guru: "God's love is like the sun - equally present for all. But those who follow this dharma have removed the obstacles. They're not more loved in terms of divine nature; they're more receptive to love in terms of their capacity. 'Exceedingly dear' describes their transparent relationship with grace."
Sadhak: "Mat-paramā - holding Krishna as supreme. But I relate to other forms of the Divine too."
Guru: "Mat-paramā means making the Divine (in whatever form calls you) the supreme goal - not one interest among many but the organizing center of life. All forms ultimately point to one reality. If your devotion is wholehearted toward any genuine form, you fulfill this teaching."
Sadhak: "After all these qualities, faith (śraddhā) is mentioned. Why is faith important?"
Guru: "Because transformation requires trust before results appear. You can't wait to develop equanimity until you've experienced its benefits - you must practice it on faith first. Śraddhā enables the leap; experience confirms it. Faith is the bridge between hearing the teaching and embodying it."
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🌅 Daily Practice
This verse is the chapter summary. Begin by reading it as a dedication: 'I will follow this immortal dharma today with faith, holding the Divine as my supreme goal.' Let it orient the entire day toward the qualities described.
Review the qualities periodically: Am I free from hatred right now? Am I content? Am I steady? Each quality checked is a moment of practice. The cumulative effect transforms character. Remember: this is dharmyāmṛtam - the nectar of immortality you're drinking.
End the day with śraddhā affirmation: 'Even where I fell short today, faith carries me forward. Tomorrow offers fresh opportunity.' Offer the day to Krishna as mat-paramā practice. Rest knowing that sincere effort makes you dear to the Divine - and that love is the ultimate security.