Bhagavad Gita — Bhakti Yoga, Shloka 16

Bhakti Yoga

Devanagari script

अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः । सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥ १२.१६ ॥

Transliteration

anapekṣaḥ śucir dakṣa udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ | sarvārambha-parityāgī yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ || 12.16 ||

Translation

He who is without expectation, pure, capable, impartial, free from distress, and who has renounced all self-centered undertakings—such a devotee is dear to Me.

Gita Press Meaning

He who is without dependence, pure, capable, impartial, free from distress, and who has abandoned self-centered undertakings—such a devotee is dear to Me.

Critical Edition Meaning

Independent (without expectation); pure; competent; detached/neutral; with pain/distress gone; one who has relinquished all ‘beginnings/undertakings’—that devotee of Mine is dear to Me.

Comparative Note

‘Anapekṣa’ can mean ‘without expectation’ (not seeking rewards) or ‘independent.’ ‘Sarvārambha-parityāgī’ is debated: some take it as abandoning all new projects motivated by egoistic gain; others as renouncing the doer-claim while continuing necessary action.

Word by Word

• अनपेक्षः: without expectation; not dependent on (anything)
• अनपेक्षः: Karta
• Root: अनपेक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)

• शुचिः: pure; clean (in conduct)
• शुचिः: Karta
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)

• दक्षः: skilful; competent; efficient
• दक्षः: Karta
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)

• उदासीनः: indifferent; neutral; unattached
• उदासीनः: Karta
• Root: उदासीन (प्रातिपदिक)

• गतव्यथः: one whose distress has gone; free from anxiety
• गतव्यथः: Karta
• Root: गत-व्यथ (प्रातिपदिक)

• सर्व: all
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)

• आरम्भ: undertakings; initiatives
• Root: आरम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)

• परित्यागी: one who renounces; abandoner (of)
• परित्यागी: Karta
• Root: परि-त्यज् (√त्यज्) + णिनि (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)

• यः: who
• यः: Karta
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)

• मत्: of me; my
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)

• भक्तः: devotee
• भक्तः: Karta
• Root: भक्त (√भज् + क्त) (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)

• मे: to me / of me (here: to me)
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)

• प्रियः: dear; beloved
• प्रियः: Karta
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Anapekṣā (non-expectation)
• Śauca (purity)
• Dakṣatā (competence)
• Udāsīnatā (detached neutrality)
• Ārambha (undertaking; initiative)
• Tyāga (relinquishment)

Key Themes

• Non-attachment to outcomes
• Competent action without ego
• Detachment amid activity

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It promotes a stance of low entitlement and high competence: acting effectively while minimizing anxiety driven by expectations.

Metaphysical meaning?

Renouncing ‘undertakings’ can be read as renouncing egoic authorship and acquisitive motivations, aligning action with a larger order rather than personal claim.

Contextual relevance?

The devotee is characterized not only by emotions but also by practical conduct—skillful, clean in intention, and not driven by self-assertive projects.

Modern Application?

Work with clear ethics and competence while reducing outcome-fixation; avoid projects primarily aimed at self-image maintenance.