Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 9 Raja Vidya Yogah

येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विता: |
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् ||23||

Even those who are devoted to other deities with faith, worship Me alone, O Kaunteya, but by the wrong method.

Shraddhayanvitah: Endowed with faith.
Avidhi: Improper or wrong method.
Devatabhakta: Devotees of deities.

Krishna acknowledges that devotion to other deities indirectly reaches Him but cautions against improper worship. This verse emphasizes the importance of understanding spiritual practices within their proper context.

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अहं हि सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्ता च प्रभुरेव च |
न तु मामभिजानन्ति तत्त्वेनातश्च्यवन्ति ते ||24||

I am indeed the enjoyer and the lord of all sacrifices. But they do not know Me in essence; hence they fall.

Tattvena: In essence or truth.
Bhokta: Enjoyer of sacrifices.
Chyavanti: They fall or perish.

Krishna laments the ignorance of His supreme nature, which leads to incomplete worship. By addressing this gap, He calls for devotion rooted in knowledge and truth, ensuring alignment with the ultimate goal.

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Raja Vidya Yogah - Worshippers of the gods go to the gods, worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors, worshippers of the spirits go to the spirits, but those who worship Me come to Me.

यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रता: |
भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम् ||25||

Worshippers of the gods go to the gods, worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors, worshippers of the spirits go to the spirits, but those who worship Me come to Me.

Devavrata: Devotees of gods.
Pitruvrata: Devotees of ancestors.
Bhutejya: Worshippers of spirits.

This verse highlights the consequences of one’s focus in worship, tying destinations to the objects of devotion. Krishna positions Himself as the supreme goal, contrasting other paths as temporary and limited.

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पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: ||26||

Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I accept that loving offering of the pure-hearted.

Patram: Leaf.
Pushpam: Flower.
Prayatmanah: Of the pure-hearted.

Krishna’s simplicity and accessibility shine here. Even a humble offering made with devotion is accepted, emphasizing the importance of the heart’s intent over material wealth in worship.

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Raja Vidya Yogah - Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give, whatever austerity you perform, O Kaunteya, do it as an offering to Me.

यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् |
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ||27||

Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give, whatever austerity you perform, O Kaunteya, do it as an offering to Me.

Arpanam: Offering or dedication.
Juhoshi: You offer.
Dadasi: You give.

By urging Arjuna to dedicate all actions to Him, Krishna integrates the spiritual and material aspects of life. This verse emphasizes that even mundane actions can become sacred when performed as offerings to the divine.

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शुभाशुभफलैरेवं मोक्ष्यसे कर्मबन्धनै: |
संन्यासयोगयुक्तात्मा विमुक्तो मामुपैष्यसि ||28||

By this dedication, you will be freed from the bonds of action yielding good and bad results, and liberated, you will come to Me.

Karma-bandhanaih: Bonds of action.
Sannyasa-yoga: Union through renunciation.
Vimukta: Liberated or freed.

Liberation from the bonds of karma becomes attainable through dedication. Krishna connects selfless action to spiritual freedom, reminding Arjuna of the transformative power of surrendering results to Him.

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Raja Vidya Yogah - I am equally disposed to all beings; to Me, there is none hateful or dear. But those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am in them.

समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रिय: |
ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ||29||

I am equally disposed to all beings; to Me, there is none hateful or dear. But those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am in them.

Samah: Equal or impartial.
Bhajanam: Worship or adoration.
Dveshyah: Hated or despised.

Krishna emphasizes His impartiality, yet highlights the unique bond with devoted worshippers. This verse reassures Arjuna that divine love and guidance become more accessible through faith and dedication.

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