भक्तियोग Bhakti Yoga · Verse 16

अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः | सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः

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

Free from expectations, pure, skillful, impartial, free from anxiety, renouncing all selfish initiative — that devotee of mine is dear to me.

The qualities continue:

  • Anapekṣa — free from expectations, not dependent on results
  • Śuci — pure (externally and internally)
  • Dakṣa — skillful, competent, capable
  • Udāsīna — impartial, neutral, detached
  • Gata-vyatha — free from anxiety or affliction
  • Sarvārambha-parityāgī — renouncing all (selfish) initiative

Anapekṣa is Patañjali’s detachment applied to daily life. The yogī acts without depending on results.

Dakṣa is surprising: the yogī is not incompetent or clumsy. Practice refines capabilities, it doesn’t dull them. Skill and detachment coexist.

Sarvārambha-parityāgī doesn’t mean inaction. It means renouncing selfish initiative — acting from the personal ego. Action continues, but without the “I” as center.