|| 12.10 ||

अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव। मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि।।

abhyāse ’py asamartho ’si mat-karma-paramo bhava mad-artham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi

abhyāse (in practice) api (also) asamarthaḥ (unable) asi (you are) mat-karma (My work) paramaḥ (dedicated to) bhava (become) mat-artham (for My sake) api (even) karmāṇi (work) kurvan (doing) siddhim (perfection) avāpsyasi (you will achieve).

If you cannot practice the regulations of devotional service, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.

Kṛṣṇa continues the ‘Ladder of Yoga’ for those who find strict discipline too difficult. He says: “If you cannot even follow the rules and regulations of practice, then just try to work for Me.” He suggests that we should make His mission our priority. By doing our daily tasks for His sake, we can still reach the stage of perfection. This is ‘Karma-yoga’ within the framework of devotion. If you can’t meditate for hours or follow a strict ritual, then use your professional skills or your labor for Kṛṣṇa. Build a temple, distribute spiritual books, or cook for His devotees. When the *purpose* of the work is God (‘mad-artham’), the work itself becomes a spiritualizing force. It teaches us that spirituality is not just about what we do on a yoga mat, but what we do at our jobs. Kṛṣṇa is looking for our ‘intent’. By dedicating the results of our energy to Him, we gradually purify our hearts. This stage is very accessible for people with busy, active lives who want to connect with the Divine without leaving their responsibilities.