Chapter 9 · Yoga through the King of Sciences

9.1

श्रीभगवानुवाच | इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे | ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ||९-१||

śrībhagavānuvāca . idaṃ tu te guhyatamaṃ pravakṣyāmyanasūyave . jñānaṃ vijñānasahitaṃ yajjñātvā mokṣyase.aśubhāt ||9-1||

Krishna says, I'll now share with you, Arjuna, the deepest and most profound truth, a knowledge that combines understanding and direct experience, which will free you from all that's harmful once you've grasped it.

9.2

राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् | प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं सुसुखं कर्तुमव्ययम् ||९-२||

rājavidyā rājaguhyaṃ pavitramidamuttamam . pratyakṣāvagamaṃ dharmyaṃ susukhaṃ kartumavyayam ||9-2||

This knowledge is the highest wisdom, a profound secret, and the ultimate purifier, directly accessible and aligned with righteousness, bringing great joy and lasting benefits to those who practice it. It's a timeless and effortless path that yields profound results.

9.3

अश्रद्दधानाः पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप | अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि ||९-३||

aśraddadhānāḥ puruṣā dharmasyāsya parantapa . aprāpya māṃ nivartante mṛtyusaṃsāravartmani ||9-3||

Those who lack faith in this spiritual path, Arjuna, will not attain union with me and will instead remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death, bound to the fleeting world.

9.4

मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना | मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि न चाहं तेष्ववस्थितः ||९-४||

mayā tatamidaṃ sarvaṃ jagadavyaktamūrtinā . matsthāni sarvabhūtāni na cāhaṃ teṣvavasthitaḥ ||9-4||

Everything in this world is infused with my presence, though I remain invisible. All beings exist within me, yet I don't exist within their limitations. I permeate every aspect of the universe, while remaining beyond its boundaries.

9.5

न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् | भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः ||९-५||

na ca matsthāni bhūtāni paśya me yogamaiśvaram . bhūtabhṛnna ca bhūtastho mamātmā bhūtabhāvanaḥ ||9-5||

Living beings don't actually exist within me, but I sustain them all through my divine power. Although I'm the one who supports and nurtures every being, my true self remains beyond them, the ultimate source of all life. I'm the one who brings all beings into existence and cares for them, yet I remain transcendent.

9.6

यथाकाशस्थितो नित्यं वायुः सर्वत्रगो महान् | तथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मत्स्थानीत्युपधारय ||९-६||

yathākāśasthito nityaṃ vāyuḥ sarvatrago mahān . tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni matsthānītyupadhāraya ||9-6||

Just as the powerful wind moves freely everywhere yet always resides in the sky, in the same way, all living beings reside in me, their ultimate home.

9.7

सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम् | कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम् ||९-७||

sarvabhūtāni kaunteya prakṛtiṃ yānti māmikām . kalpakṣaye punastāni kalpādau visṛjāmyaham ||9-7||

At the end of each cosmic cycle, Arjuna, all beings return to my essential nature, and when a new cycle begins, I bring them into being once more.

9.8

प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः | भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात् ||९-८||

prakṛtiṃ svāmavaṣṭabhya visṛjāmi punaḥ punaḥ . bhūtagrāmamimaṃ kṛtsnamavaśaṃ prakṛtervaśāt ||9-8||

I repeatedly bring into being all these living beings, who are completely under the control of nature, by energizing my own creative power. This entire universe of beings is helpless, governed by the forces of nature that I set in motion.

9.9

न च मां तानि कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय | उदासीनवदासीनमसक्तं तेषु कर्मसु ||९-९||

na ca māṃ tāni karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya . udāsīnavadāsīnamasaktaṃ teṣu karmasu ||9-9||

These actions don't bind me, Arjuna, because I remain detached, uninvolved in them, like a neutral observer. I'm not tied to the results of those actions, and I don't get caught up in them.

9.10

मयाध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम् | हेतुनानेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते ||९-१०||

mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sacarācaram . hetunānena kaunteya jagadviparivartate ||9-10||

With me as the overseer, nature brings into being all living and non-living things, and this is what drives the cycle of the world, Arjuna.

9.11

अवजानन्ति मां मूढा मानुषीं तनुमाश्रितम् | परं भावमजानन्तो मम भूतमहेश्वरम् ||९-११||

avajānanti māṃ mūḍhā mānuṣīṃ tanumāśritam . paraṃ bhāvamajānanto mama bhūtamaheśvaram ||9-11||

Fools ignore me because I'm in a human body, but they don't understand my true nature as the supreme ruler of all living things. They fail to see the greater reality of who I am, beyond this physical form. I am the Lord of all beings, and they are unaware of my true majesty.

9.12

मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः | राक्षसीमासुरीं चैव प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं श्रिताः ||९-१२||

moghāśā moghakarmāṇo moghajñānā vicetasaḥ . rākṣasīmāsurīṃ caiva prakṛtiṃ mohinīṃ śritāḥ ||9-12||

They have empty hopes, pointless actions, and misguided understanding, lacking discernment, and are rooted in a delusional nature that's demonic and opposed to the divine.

9.13

महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः | भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम् ||९-१३||

mahātmānastu māṃ pārtha daivīṃ prakṛtimāśritāḥ . bhajantyananyamanaso jñātvā bhūtādimavyayam ||9-13||

The great souls, Arjuna, are devoted to me, having embraced my divine nature, and with unwavering focus, they worship me alone, recognizing me as the eternal source of all existence.

9.14

सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः | नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ||९-१४||

satataṃ kīrtayanto māṃ yatantaśca dṛḍhavratāḥ . namasyantaśca māṃ bhaktyā nityayuktā upāsate ||9-14||

They constantly praise me, strive with determination, and remain steadfast in their commitment, bowing down to me with love and devotion, always connected to me in their hearts.

9.15

ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये यजन्तो मामुपासते | एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन बहुधा विश्वतोमुखम् ||९-१५||

jñānayajñena cāpyanye yajanto māmupāsate . ekatvena pṛthaktvena bahudhā viśvatomukham ||9-15||

Some worship me through the sacrifice of spiritual knowledge, seeing me as the one ultimate reality, yet also as the diverse and all-pervading presence that fills the universe.

9.16

अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम् | मन्त्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम् ||९-१६||

ahaṃ kraturahaṃ yajñaḥ svadhāhamahamauṣadham . mantro.ahamahamevājyamahamagnirahaṃ hutam ||9-16||

I am the ritual, the sacrifice, and the offering to the ancestors. I am the healing plants, the sacred words, and the nourishing butter used in rituals. I am the fire that transforms and the act of offering itself, embodying all aspects of spiritual practice.

9.17

पिताहमस्य जगतो माता धाता पितामहः | वेद्यं पवित्रमोंकार ऋक्साम यजुरेव च ||९-१७||

pitāhamasya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ . vedyaṃ pavitramoṃkāra ṛksāma yajureva ca ||9-17||

I am the father and mother of this universe, the one who nourishes and sustains it, and the grandfather of all. I am the ultimate reality to be known, the source of purity, and the embodiment of the sacred sound Om. I am also the essence of the Rik, Sama, and Yajur Vedas, the ancient scriptures that guide us on our journey.

9.18

गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत् | प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम् ||९-१८||

gatirbhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṃ suhṛt . prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṃ nidhānaṃ bījamavyayam ||9-18||

I am the ultimate goal, the one who sustains and protects, the supreme Lord, and the all-seeing witness. I am the safe haven where you can reside, the shelter from life's storms, and the loving friend who cares for you. I am the source of all creation, the destination of all dissolution, the foundation of everything, and the imperishable seed that gives life to all.

9.19

तपाम्यहमहं वर्षं निगृह्णाम्युत्सृजामि च | अमृतं चैव मृत्युश्च सदसच्चाहमर्जुन ||९-१९||

tapāmyahamahaṃ varṣaṃ nigṛhṇāmyutsṛjāmi ca . amṛtaṃ caiva mṛtyuśca sadasaccāhamarjuna ||9-19||

I'm the source of the sun's warmth, I control the rains, holding them back or releasing them. I embody both life and death, and I'm the essence of what exists and what doesn't, Arjuna.

9.20

त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते | ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक- मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ||९-२०||

traividyā māṃ somapāḥ pūtapāpā yajñairiṣṭvā svargatiṃ prārthayante . te puṇyamāsādya surendralokaṃ aśnanti divyāndivi devabhogān ||9-20||

Those who have mastered the three Vedas, who have been purified of their sins through rituals and the drink Soma, worship Krishna with sacrifices, seeking a path to heaven. They attain the sacred realm of Indra, the king of the gods, and there they delight in the heavenly pleasures that the gods enjoy.

9.21

ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति | एवं त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ||९-२१||

te taṃ bhuktvā svargalokaṃ viśālaṃ kṣīṇe puṇye martyalokaṃ viśanti . evaṃ trayīdharmamanuprapannā gatāgataṃ kāmakāmā labhante ||9-21||

They enjoy the vast heavenly realm, but when their good deeds are exhausted, they return to the mortal world. By following the teachings of the Vedas, they're driven by their desires, and so they're caught in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, never truly finding lasting peace. Their pursuit of worldly pleasures leads to a repetitive journey of coming and going.

9.22

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते | तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ||९-२२||

ananyāścintayanto māṃ ye janāḥ paryupāsate . teṣāṃ nityābhiyuktānāṃ yogakṣemaṃ vahāmyaham ||9-22||

Those who focus on me exclusively, constantly united with me in their thoughts and devotion, can count on me to provide for their well-being and take care of their needs, ensuring they have everything they require. I look after both their spiritual growth and their material security.

9.23

येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः | तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् ||९-२३||

ye.apyanyadevatābhaktā yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ . te.api māmeva kaunteya yajantyavidhipūrvakam ||9-23||

Those who sincerely worship other deities, Arjuna, are actually worshiping me, even if they're not following the proper approach, because their devotion ultimately reaches me.

9.24

अहं हि सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्ता च प्रभुरेव च | न तु मामभिजानन्ति तत्त्वेनातश्च्यवन्ति ते ||९-२४||

ahaṃ hi sarvayajñānāṃ bhoktā ca prabhureva ca . na tu māmabhijānanti tattvenātaścyavanti te ||9-24||

I'm the one who receives and oversees all spiritual offerings, yet people don't truly understand me, and that's why they ultimately slip back into the cycle of life.

9.25

यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रताः | भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम् ||९-२५||

yānti devavratā devānpitṝnyānti pitṛvratāḥ . bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti madyājino.api mām ||9-25||

Those who devote themselves to the gods will reach the gods, those who honor their ancestors will be with them, and those who worship nature and the elements will go to them, while those who worship me will come to me.

9.26 · Devotion in small things

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति | तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ||९-२६||

patraṃ puṣpaṃ phalaṃ toyaṃ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati . tadahaṃ bhaktyupahṛtamaśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ ||9-26||

Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, that offering of love, from a pure heart, I accept.

9.27

यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् | यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ||९-२७||

yatkaroṣi yadaśnāsi yajjuhoṣi dadāsi yat . yattapasyasi kaunteya tatkuruṣva madarpaṇam ||9-27||

Whatever you do, eat, or offer as a sacrifice, and whatever gifts you give or self-disciplines you practice, Arjuna, do them all as an offering to me.

9.28

शुभाशुभफलैरेवं मोक्ष्यसे कर्मबन्धनैः | संन्यासयोगयुक्तात्मा विमुक्तो मामुपैष्यसि ||९-२८||

śubhāśubhaphalairevaṃ mokṣyase karmabandhanaiḥ . saṃnyāsayogayuktātmā vimukto māmupaiṣyasi ||9-28||

By dedicating yourself to the yoga of renunciation, you'll be liberated from the bonds of karma, whether good or bad, and with a freed mind, you'll come to me, achieving ultimate freedom.

9.29

समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः | ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ||९-२९||

samo.ahaṃ sarvabhūteṣu na me dveṣyo.asti na priyaḥ . ye bhajanti tu māṃ bhaktyā mayi te teṣu cāpyaham ||9-29||

I'm equally present in all living beings, with no one being more or less loved by me, but those who devote themselves to me with love and devotion, I reside in them and they in me.

9.30

अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक् | साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः ||९-३०||

api cetsudurācāro bhajate māmananyabhāk . sādhureva sa mantavyaḥ samyagvyavasito hi saḥ ||9-30||

Even if someone with a deeply troubled past dedicates themselves to me alone, they should be considered a good person, because they've made a genuine commitment to follow the right path.

9.31

क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति | कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति ||९-३१||

kṣipraṃ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvacchāntiṃ nigacchati . kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati ||9-31||

Arjuna, my devotee quickly becomes a person of strong character and achieves lasting peace, and I assure you, they will never be lost or destroyed.

9.32

मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः | स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम् ||९-३२||

māṃ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye.api syuḥ pāpayonayaḥ . striyo vaiśyāstathā śūdrāste.api yānti parāṃ gatim ||9-32||

Taking refuge in me, even those born into families considered impure, as well as women, merchants, and workers, can reach the ultimate destination, says Krishna to Arjuna.

9.33

किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणाः पुण्या भक्ता राजर्षयस्तथा | अनित्यमसुखं लोकमिमं प्राप्य भजस्व माम् ||९-३३||

kiṃ punarbrāhmaṇāḥ puṇyā bhaktā rājarṣayastathā . anityamasukhaṃ lokamimaṃ prāpya bhajasva mām ||9-33||

It's even more straightforward for devoted Brahmins and royal saints to reach the goal, so consider your own situation - you're in a world that's transient and filled with suffering - and turn to me in devotion, Krishna tells Arjuna.

9.34

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु | मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः ||९-३४||

manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṃ namaskuru . māmevaiṣyasi yuktvaivamātmānaṃ matparāyaṇaḥ ||9-34||

Focus your mind on me, become my devoted follower, offer your heart to me, and surrender to me. By dedicating yourself to me in this way, with your entire being centered on me as your highest goal, you will ultimately come to me.