Quiz · 12.1–12.12
Which worship, and the ladder
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 12.1, what is the case of ke (के), and what does the ending -tama (तम) do on yoga-vit-tamāḥ (योग-वित्-तमाः)?
Answer
ke (के) is nominative plural of kim (किम्), "which ones?" teṣām (तेषाम्) is genitive plural, "of them," and it holds the two groups. -tama (तम) is the superlative, "most, best." yoga-vit (योग-वित्) is a knower of yoga, so yoga-vit-tamāḥ (योग-वित्-तमाः) is the best knowers of yoga. The t (त्) at the join is written double.
2
kleśaḥ (क्लेशः) stands in front of adhika-taraḥ (अधिक-तरः) in 12.5. What is recited, and which sandhi makes it?
Answer
kleśo 'dhikataraḥ (क्लेशोऽधिकतरः). अः + अ aḥ + a becomes o (ओ), and the second a (अ) drops. The mark ऽ is that dropped a (अ). Then adhikataraḥ (अधिकतरः) before t (त्) of teṣām (तेषाम्) is adhikataras (अधिकतरस्). The run is kleśo 'dhikataras teṣām (क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषाम्).
3
Say what 12.8 says, in one sentence.
Answer
Set the mind on me alone, settle the understanding in me, and you will dwell in me alone from then on; there is no doubt.
4
What is Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) doing in 12.1–12.12, after Arjuna (अर्जुन) asks which knowers are better?
Answer
Arjuna (अर्जुन) sets two worships side by side: devotees who worship him, and those who worship the imperishable unmanifest. Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) gives him the manifest. The most yoked are the ones who place the mind in him. The others reach him too, and the toil is greater for a person who has a body. Then he sets a ladder, each rung for the one who cannot yet do the one above it. Set the mind on him alone. If you cannot, practice. If you cannot practice, do the work for him. If you cannot do even that, give up the fruit of every action. Peace comes right after that giving up.
5
Say 12.8 back. Which word fails the sitting if the mind is set on the unmanifest?
Answer
mayy eva mana ādhatsva (मय्येव मन आधत्स्व). mayi eva (मयि एव) is "in me alone." If mayi (मयि) comes out as the avyakta (अव्यक्त) of 12.1, stay on 12.8.