GitaChapter 12Verse 6

Gita 12.6

Bhakti Yoga

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः | अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ||६||

ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-parāḥ | ananyenaiva yogena māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate ||6||

In essence: Those who surrender all actions to Me, who see Me as the supreme goal, who meditate on Me with exclusive devotion—for them I am the swift deliverer.

A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply

Sadhak-Guru Dialogue

Sadhak: "How do I surrender all actions to Krishna? I work in an office—I can't chant mantras all day."

Guru: "Surrendering actions doesn't mean changing WHAT you do but transforming WHY and FOR WHOM. The same spreadsheet can be filled as a job or as an offering. The same meal can be cooked for family or for God-in-family. Action remains; ego drops."

Sadhak: "What does 'regarding Krishna as the supreme goal' mean practically?"

Guru: "It means Krishna is not one goal among many but THE goal. Money, relationship, health, success—all become means, not ends. You may pursue them, but as roads toward Him, not destinations themselves. When priorities compete, Krishna wins."

Sadhak: "The 'exclusive devotion' part worries me. It sounds like I have to reject everything else."

Guru: "Exclusive to Krishna, not exclusive of life. A married person is exclusive to their spouse—this doesn't mean they abandon parents, children, or friends. It means their primary allegiance is clear. So too the devotee may engage with the world, but the heart's first loyalty is spoken for."

Sadhak: "This sounds beautiful but I don't feel such love. How can I manufacture it?"

Guru: "You don't manufacture it—you uncover it. Love for the Divine is already in you, buried under loves for lesser things. Begin with the love you have: love for family, nature, truth. Trace each love to its source. All love is ultimately love for the Divine, often misdirected. Recognize this, and devotion awakens."

Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.

🌅 Daily Practice

🌅 Morning

Before starting daily activities, mentally offer the day to the Divine: 'Today's work is Your work. Whatever success comes is Yours; whatever challenges arise, I face them for You.' This simple dedication transforms ordinary tasks into worship.

☀️ Daytime

Practice 'sannyasya' (dedication) with three specific actions today. Before each one, pause and consciously offer it to the Divine. After each one, offer the results. Notice how this changes your relationship with the action and its outcomes.

🌙 Evening

Review: Was there a moment today when Krishna was NOT my supreme goal—when something else became more important? Don't judge, simply observe. This honest recognition is itself devotion. Offer even your failures to the Divine: 'I forgot You today. Please help me remember tomorrow.'

Common Questions

Does surrendering all actions to Krishna mean I shouldn't plan or take responsibility?
Not at all. Surrender is not passivity but activity with a different ego structure. You plan, work, and take responsibility—but as a servant executing the Master's will rather than as a proprietor acting for personal gain. The actions may look identical; the inner quality transforms completely.
Can I have exclusive devotion to Krishna if I also follow other deities or teachers?
The Gita's perspective is that all genuine deities and teachers ultimately represent the same Divine. Devotion to Shiva, Durga, or a realized Guru is not 'other than' Krishna if those forms are seen as manifestations of the one Supreme. Exclusivity means undivided commitment to the Divine, not sectarian rejection of Its various forms.
What if I can't meditate? Does that disqualify me from this path?
Meditation here means remembrance. If you can think about someone you love, you can meditate on Krishna. It need not be formal sitting practice—it can be constant recollection throughout the day. The mother who thinks of her child even while working is meditating on her child. Devotion is love's remembrance, available to all.