Verse 12.16

Sanskrit

अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः | सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ||१६||

Transliteration (IAST)

anapekṣaḥ śucir dakṣa udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ | sarvārambha-parityāgī yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ ||16||

Word-by-Word Meanings

Translation

One who is free from wants, pure, skillful, impartial, free from distress, and who has renounced all selfish undertakings - such a devotee of Mine is dear to Me.

Commentary

Ramanuja interprets 'sarvārambha-parityāgī' not as abandoning all action but as renouncing self-motivated enterprise - the devotee acts but without personal agenda. The quality 'dakṣa' (skillful) is notable: the ideal devotee is not incompetent or withdrawn but capable and effective in worldly affairs while remaining inwardly detached.

Themes

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