The Yoga of Devotion

Krishna explains why the impersonal path is more difficult. 'Kleśo 'dhikataras teṣām avyaktāsakta-cetasām'—the difficulty (kleśaḥ) is greater (adhikataras) for them (teṣām) whose minds are attached to the unmanifest (avyaktāsakta-cetasām). 'Avyaktā hi gatir duḥkhaṁ dehavadbhir avāpyate'—the unmanifest goal (avyaktā gatiḥ) is indeed (hi) difficult (duḥkham) to attain (avāpyate) for those with bodies (dehavadbhih). This verse emphasizes the challenge: focusing on the formless, unmanifest Absolute is harder when you have a body. The body naturally relates to form, so the formless path requires transcending the body's nature. This sets up verse 12.6, which will describe those who worship Krishna but fall short, and verse 12.7, which will explain the ease of complete surrender.