Bhagavad Gita — Bhakti Yoga, Shloka 6

Bhakti Yoga

Devanagari script

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः । अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ॥ १२.६ ॥

Transliteration

ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi mayi saṁnyasya mat-parāḥ | ananyenaiva yogena māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate || 12.6 ||

Translation

But those who, dedicating all actions to Me, regarding Me as the Supreme, worship Me—meditating on Me with single-minded Yoga—(they are My devotees).

Gita Press Meaning

But those who, dedicating all actions to Me, regarding Me as the Supreme, worship Me, meditating on Me with single-minded Yoga—(they are My devotees).

Critical Edition Meaning

But those who, having renounced/entrusted all actions in Me, intent on Me as the highest, worship Me—meditating with an exclusive (ananya) discipline—

Comparative Note

‘Saṁnyasya’ is variously rendered as ‘renouncing’ or ‘placing/entrusting’; bhakti traditions often stress offering of action (īśvara-arpana), while academic translations keep the semantic range open between relinquishment of agency/ownership and devotional dedication.

Word by Word

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta
• Root: यद्

• तु: but, indeed
• Root: तु

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Karma
• Root: सर्व

• कर्माणि: actions, works
• कर्माणि: Karma
• Root: कर्मन्

• मयि: in Me
• मयि: Adhikarana
• Root: अस्मद्

• संन्यस्य: having renounced (having placed/entrusted)
• Root: सम्-नि-√अस् (न्यासे)

• मत्पराः: having Me as the supreme goal; devoted to Me as the highest
• मत्पराः: Karta
• Root: मत्पर

• अनन्येन: by non-other (exclusive)
• अनन्येन: Karana
• Root: अनन्य

• एव: only, indeed
• Root: एव

• योगेन: by yoga; by disciplined union
• योगेन: Karana
• Root: योग

• माम्: Me
• माम्: Karma
• Root: अस्मद्

• ध्यायन्तः: meditating (those who meditate)
• ध्यायन्तः: Karta
• Root: √ध्यै (चिन्तायाम्)

• उपासते: they worship; they attend upon
• Root: उप-√आस् (सेवायाम्/उपासने)

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Karma-yoga
• Bhakti
• Ananya-yoga
• Īśvara-arpana

Key Themes

• Consecration of action
• Single-minded devotion
• Integration of work and worship

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Reframing action as dedication reduces ego-involvement and performance anxiety, supporting sustained motivation and attentional coherence.

Metaphysical meaning?

It presents a theistic soteriology: devotion expressed through action-offering and meditation becomes a direct means to communion with the divine.

Contextual relevance?

After noting the difficulty of the unmanifest path, Krishna foregrounds a more accessible discipline: devotion that includes everyday duties.

Modern Application?

Adopt an ‘offering’ mindset: perform responsibilities conscientiously while relinquishing possessiveness over outcomes and self-image.