Chapter 12 • Verse 5
क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम्। अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते॥
kleśho 'dhikataras teṣhām avyaktāsakta-chetasām avyaktā hi gatir duḥkhaṁ dehavadbhir avāpyate
Meaning
Greater is the difficulty for those whose minds are attached to the unmanifest, for the path of the unmanifest is hard for embodied beings to attain.
Here's the practical consideration: the formless path is harder for embodied beings. We have bodies and minds that naturally attach to forms. Pursuing the formless requires greater struggle (klesha). The personal path, while equally valid, is more natural for humans.
Strength Reflection
"I acknowledge my embodied nature and choose a path suited to it."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, guide me to the path suited to my nature. Help me avoid needless struggle.