Gita 12.4
Bhakti Yoga
सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः | ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः ||४||
sanniyamyendriya-grāmaṁ sarvatra sama-buddhayaḥ | te prāpnuvanti mām eva sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ ||4||
In essence: Those who worship the formless also reach Me—but through mastery of senses, equanimity everywhere, and dedication to the welfare of all beings.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "So the formless path also leads to Krishna? I thought it led to impersonal liberation."
Guru: "Krishna makes no distinction between Himself and the ultimate reality. What some call Brahman, He calls His own nature. The formless is not other than Krishna—it is Krishna seen without eyes of love. When you see fully, even the formless reveals a face."
Sadhak: "The requirements seem impossibly high—total sense control, perfect equanimity, constant service to all beings."
Guru: "Yes, and this is precisely why the next verse will call this path more difficult. These are not entry requirements but the very nature of the path. To meditate on the formless, your senses must not distract you. To see the one in all, you must be equal toward all. To worship what is everywhere, you must serve everywhere."
Sadhak: "What does 'welfare of all beings' mean for someone on the formless path? I thought they renounce action."
Guru: "True renunciation is not absence of action but absence of ego in action. The jnani who sees one Self in all cannot harm any being and naturally serves all. Ramana Maharshi sat in silence, yet thousands were transformed by his presence. The welfare of all beings doesn't require running around—it can flow through pure Being itself."
Sadhak: "This sounds beautiful but unreachable for ordinary people."
Guru: "Which is why Krishna offered the personal path first. He knows His children. He gives the highest truth but also the most accessible path. A wise teacher gives every student what they can use."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Before engaging with the world, set an intention for 'sama-buddhi' (equal-mindedness). Recognize that today you will encounter pleasant and unpleasant experiences, agreeable and disagreeable people. Resolve to meet each with the same quality of presence, neither grasping nor pushing away.
Practice one act of 'sarva-bhūta-hita' (welfare of all beings) that is completely anonymous—something that benefits others without any possibility of recognition or return. This could be as simple as picking up litter, sending a silent blessing to a stranger, or doing extra work that another colleague will receive credit for.
Review the day's sense experiences. Notice which senses pulled you into craving or aversion. Without judgment, observe how the 'indriya-grāma' (group of senses) functioned. This is the beginning of 'sanniyamya' (control)—not suppression but clear observation that loosens the grip of habitual reaction.