Bhagavad Gita 12.6-7 — Ye Tu Sarvani Karmani — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १२.६-७ — ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ये
ye
those who
तु
tu
but, indeed
सर्वाणि कर्माणि
sarvāṇi karmāṇi
all actions
मयि
mayi
unto Me
संन्यस्य
sannyasya
renouncing, dedicating, offering
मत्-पराः
mat-paraḥ
regarding Me as the supreme goal
अनन्येन एव योगेन
ananyena eva yogena
by exclusive, single-minded devotion
माम्
mām
on Me
ध्यायन्तः
dhyāyantaḥ
meditating
उपासते
upāsate
worship
तेषाम्
teṣhām
of those
अहम्
aham
I
समुद्धर्ता
samuddhartā
the deliverer, the rescuer
मृत्यु-संसार-सागरात्
mṛityu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt
from the ocean of birth and death (samsara)
भवामि
bhavāmi
I become
न चिरात्
na chirāt
before long, very soon
पार्थ
pārtha
O Partha (Arjuna)
मयि आवेशित-चेतसाम्
mayi āveśhita-chetasām
of those whose minds are fixed on Me
Complete Translation
But those who worship Me, offering all their actions to Me, holding Me as the supreme goal, and meditating on Me with single-minded devotion — for them, O Arjuna, whose minds are fixed on Me, I soon become the deliverer out of the ocean of birth and death.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 6-7
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the twelfth chapter, Bhakti Yoga, Arjuna asks whether the worshippers of the personal God or of the formless Absolute are more perfect in yoga. Krishna praises loving devotion to his personal form, and in these verses gives his tender promise: to those who offer all to him and meditate on him with undivided devotion, he himself becomes the swift deliverer from the ocean of mortal existence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main teaching of Bhagavad Gita 12.6-7?▼
Krishna promises that those who dedicate all their actions to him, regard him as the supreme goal, and worship him with single-minded devotion and meditation will be personally delivered by him — swiftly lifted out of the ocean of birth and death. It is the Gita's assurance that loving surrender leads to liberation.
What does 'ocean of birth and death' (mrityu-samsara-sagara) mean?▼
It is a vivid image for samsara — the endless, turbulent cycle of repeated birth, death and worldly suffering in which souls are tossed about. Krishna promises to be the 'samuddharta', the deliverer, who rescues his devotees from this ocean and grants them liberation.
What kind of devotion does this verse describe?▼
Ananya bhakti — exclusive, undivided devotion. The devotee offers all actions to the Lord, takes him as the highest goal, meditates on him with single-minded focus, and fixes the mind wholly upon him. To such unwavering love, God responds with swift and certain grace.
How can I receive the deliverance Krishna promises?▼
By surrendering your actions to the Lord, making him your supreme aim, and worshipping him with a focused, loving heart. The verses assure that such single-pointed devotion is never in vain — the Lord himself becomes the rescuer who carries the devotee beyond samsara.
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