ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते।श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः।।12.20।।
ye tu dharmyamritam idam yathoktam paryupasate shraddadhana matparama bhaktaste ativ me priyah
Translation
Those who honor this nectar of wisdom declared here, have faith in Me, and are devoted and intent on Me as the supreme goal, they are exceedingly dear to Me.
Word Meanings
ye — those who; tu — but; dharmyamṛtam — nectar of dharma; idaṁ — this; yathoktaṁ — as said; paryupāsate — completely engage in worship; śraddadhānāḥ — with faith; mat-paramāḥ — taking Me as supreme; bhaktās — devotees; te — they; atiiva — very, very; me — to Me; priyāḥ — dear
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Lord Krishna highlights the highest form of devotion – a blend of knowledge, faith, and surrender. The word dharmyamṛtam literally means the "nectar of dharma"; it is not a material drink but the sweet, immortal essence of spiritual truth that sustains the soul. By calling it yathoktam (as spoken), Krishna reminds the seeker that this nectar has been clearly explained in the preceding verses, establishing a direct link to the teachings of the Gita.
The verse begins with ye tu – "those who" – distinguishing a specific group of aspirants. These are individuals who do not merely hear the doctrine but paryupāsate, i.e., they engage in it completely, with wholehearted worship. Such total immersion goes beyond occasional prayer; it denotes a daily, conscious effort to align thoughts, words, and actions with the divine wisdom.
The qualifier śraddadhānāḥ (filled with faith) underscores that devotion without faith is incomplete. Faith here is not blind belief; it is a firm conviction that the teachings are true and that the Lord is the ultimate source of all reality. When this conviction is coupled with the perception of the Lord as mat‑paramāḥ – the supreme, all‑encompassing reality – the devotee’s vision expands from personal worship to universal reverence.
The term bhaktās designates those who are devoted. In the Gita’s lexicon, a bhakta is someone who sees the divine in every aspect of existence and therefore acts with compassion, self‑lessness, and equanimity. By addressing them as te (they), Krishna creates a collective identity, reinforcing the idea that true devotion is a community practice, not an isolated pursuit.
The intensifier atiiva (exceedingly) amplifies the Lord’s affection. Krishna declares that these devotees are "very dear" to Him (me priyāḥ). This is not a conditional favor but an unconditional love that arises from the devotee’s alignment with divine truth. The Lord’s love is reciprocal: as the devotee offers sincere service, the Divine reciprocates with grace, protection, and the ultimate gift of liberation.
Philosophically, this verse integrates three core paths of yoga – jnana (knowledge), bhakti (devotion), and karma (action). The "nectar" symbolizes knowledge; the "faith" and "surrender" embody bhakti; and the "complete engagement" reflects karma yoga performed without attachment. By harmonizing these dimensions, the seeker transcends the dualities of worldly life and realizes the unity with the Supreme.
Practically, the verse serves as a guide for modern spiritual aspirants. It encourages us to study the Scriptures deeply, cultivate unwavering faith, see the Divine in all actions, and maintain a heartfelt devotion. When these qualities are nurtured, the seeker experiences an inner transformation that draws them closer to the Divine, making them beloved in the eyes of the Lord.
