Bhagavad Gita BG 12.16
Chapter 12, Verse 16 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः । सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥
anapekshah shucir daksha udasino gata-vyathah sarvarambha-parityagi yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah
Meaning
Free from needs, pure, skilled, unconcerned, untroubled, who has renounced all undertakings — one who is devoted to Me is dear to Me.
Understanding
A verse in the extended litany of the dear devotee's qualities: anapekshah (free from needs/expectations — not looking for anything from circumstances). Shucih (pure — inner and outer cleanliness). Daksha (skilled/efficient — capable in action). Udasina (unconcerned/unattached — literally 'sitting apart,' uninvolved in outcomes). Gata-vyathah (from whom agitation/pain has departed — free from inner disturbance). Sarvaarambha-parityagi (one who has renounced all undertakings — not initiating self-centered projects). Yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah (one who is devoted to Me — this is dear to Me). The qualities paint the portrait of the true devotee: capable but unconcerned, pure but not squeamish, skilled but not initiating self-serving projects.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अनपेक्षः | anapekshah | free from expectations/needs (an-apeksha = without looking for) |
| शुचिः | shucih | pure (inner and outer) |
| दक्षः | dakshah | skilled, capable, efficient |
| उदासीनः | udasinah | unconcerned, uninvolved (literally 'sitting apart') |
| गतव्यथः | gata-vyathah | from whom pain/agitation has departed |
| सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी | sarvaarambha-parityagi | one who has renounced all undertakings (self-initiated projects) |
| अनपेक्षः | anapekṣaḥ | without desire |
| शुचिः | śuciḥ | pure |
| दक्षः | dakṣaḥ | expert, efficient |
| उदासीनः | udāsīnaḥ | neutral |
| गत-व्यथः | gata-vyathaḥ | without distress |
| सर्वारम्भ-परित्यागी | sarvārambha-parityāgī | who abandons all undertakings |
| यः | yaḥ | who |
| मद्-भक्तः | mad-bhaktaḥ | My devotee |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| मे | me | to Me |
| प्रियः | priyaḥ | dear |
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