Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna

Divine Teacher

The Supreme Lord, the charioteer and divine guide of Arjuna. Krishna delivers the eternal wisdom of the Gita, revealing the nature of the soul, duty, and the path to liberation.

Speaking: Chapter 12, Verse 16

16

Verse 16

The Yoga of Devotion

One who is free from dependency, pure, efficient, unconcerned, free from suffering, who has given up all undertakings for personal gain—that devotee is dear to Me.

Context & Meaning

The portrait deepens: this person needs nothing (anapekṣaḥ), is internally and externally pure (śuciḥ), is capable and efficient in whatever must be done (dakṣaḥ), remains uninvested in outcomes (udāsīnaḥ), and is free from existential anxiety (gatavyathaḥ). Most strikingly, they have abandoned all undertakings motivated by personal gain (sarvārambha-parityāgī). This does not mean they do nothing — it means everything they do is offered, not accumulated. They are active without agenda.

Scholar Commentaries

1 commentary · Public domain

Ramanujacharya

Vishishtadvaita

Udāsīnaḥ — unattached, standing apart from outcomes — must not be confused with indifference to dharma or the welfare of others. The devotee is deeply engaged in righteous action; what they have released is the ego's investment in the result. This is the fullest expression of Karma Yoga integrated with Bhakti Yoga.