Chapter 12 verse 1
“Arjuna inquired: Between those who are steadfastly devoted to your personal form and those who worship the formless Brahman, who do you consider to be more perfect in Yoga?”
Chapter 12 is a more familiar chapter for me personally related to the Sanskrit slokas itself since this was part of the curriculum a fellow teacher and I taught 8th graders for a couple of years at Chinmaya mission in Bentonville, AR. I didn’t say I understood or internalized the meaning of this chapter but just more familiar with the slokas based on repetition only. Having said that, let us get into the question Arjuna is asking Bhagwan. Bhagwan had mentioned in earlier chapter that it is very difficult to see his divine vision for mere mortals and it is only through devotion to him and surrender of all their work to him that they attain him. Arjuna now wants to know who is superior, is it the being who worships his personal form or the one who dwells on his formless Brahman? This question arises within Arjuna since he couldn’t comprehend the formless Brahman and liked the more personal form himself and being full of desire to excel in everything, he wants to know where he himself ranks in Bhagwan’s devotees as well. We see this happen all the time in the corporate world. Everyone wants to know what it takes to succeed and how others have made it. We all want to know how we will be measured and what is the best path. No harm in wanting to know. We shall see what Bhagwan’s answer is!
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