THE NINTH CHAPTER
Shri Bhagwan Uvaach: "Lord Krishna said, 'O Arjuna, your soul is pure; you do not defame any virtuous person; therefore, I shall impart to you the supreme knowledge that will liberate you from all sins. This knowledge is Brahmavidya, the pinnacle of all Vedas, Puranas, and wisdom—pure and supreme. The fruit of this knowledge is instantly realized within this very life, as it illuminates the heart and dispels the darkness of ignorance.
O Arjuna! Those who lack affection for the knowledge of Brahmavidya and do not have faith in its principles are never freed from sinfulness. The entire world is an extension of my unmanifest Maya. I am omnipresent; all living entities and deities exist within my realm, yet I am not bound by them.
Behold my power and splendor: the whole world does not contain me, nor am I contained within it. Those who have attained the solitary form of my supreme abode reside within me; they revel in my bliss. The entire world arises from my own might, and I am its progenitor and liberator.
O Partha! Just as the wind dwells in the sky, so does the entire world within me. However, my supreme joy does not reach this world, for it is a realm of sorrow. Thus, when one detaches from this sinful world and chants my name wholeheartedly, they attain my supreme happiness.
O son of Kunti! When the cycle of creation reaches its limit, this world undergoes destruction and merges back into my nature. Once the period of dissolution concludes, I recreate the same world through my nature.
In this way, I repeatedly bring forth all beings ensnared by Maya.
O Arjuna! Karma does not bind me; I remain ever independent. Since I harbor no desire for the fruits of actions, I engage in them dispassionately and orchestrate creation through Maya’s hand. By my will alone, Maya orchestrates creation and destruction.
I am the lord of the entire cosmos, yet fools fail to recognize my divinity and power when I assume a human form. Their hopes are in vain; their actions fruitless; their knowledge futile. Their nature is demonic; they oppose me and my devotees and disrespect others with their words. Therefore, these malevolent beings suffer in hell hereafter and find no joy even in this life.
Those with a serene and benevolent disposition avoid such sinners. Recognizing my glory, they regard me as the sovereign of all worlds; they sing my praises and chant my name with every breath; they harm no soul; they speak kindly to all—thus finding happiness in this life and attaining my bliss hereafter.
O Arjuna! Some great souls worship me through Gyana Yagya—discussing my wisdom, visiting places graced by my divine play (Leelas), where my feet have trod. They revere sacred sites (Teerth-Sthans), offer incense (Dhupa) and lights (Aarti), present fruits and flowers, meditate upon my image, and chant my name.
Some Mahatmas perceive my formless essence and embodied form as one; others worship them as distinct. All sacrifices (Yagyas), grains, herbs, mantras, elements like ghee or fire—all emerged from my desire. When Maya fashioned the world, I spoke of both my Nirguna Dharma and the Triguna Dharma of deities. Those who follow the Triguna Dharma of sacrifices will reap rewards akin to those of deities. In contrast, those who embrace my Nirguna Dharma—chanting my name, worshipping me, serving me—will attain my eternal bliss.'"
"Lord Krishna said, 'O Partha, I am the father of this world; the entire cosmos supports me. Therefore, the wise seek to know me alone, renouncing all else, for I am supreme, the most worthy of knowledge, the purest, the essence of Omkara. All four Vedas were created by my will. I am an ocean of mercy, the refuge of all, and the sustainer of all; I bestow the highest bliss, save from worldly and otherworldly miseries; I am a benefactor without expectation of return; I am both creator and destroyer; I am the sanctuary for all; I am the seed of all life in times of destruction; I am imperishable.
By my command, the sun radiates heat; by my command, Indra brings rain; by my command, rain ceases; and by my power, both nectar and poison fulfill their roles.
O Arjuna! I am eternal and unchanging, and by my own power, this transient world becomes visible. O Partha! Those who study the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda perform sacrifices to please me and attain heaven. They indulge in its vast pleasures until their virtues are exhausted. Then they fall from heaven and endure great suffering in this sorrowful world.
Similarly, those who worship deities other than me will experience their respective outcomes. But listen to those who follow my attributeless teachings: My devotees do not worship other deities or spirits; they do not chant mantras or engage in threefold-natured duties (Triguna Dharmas). They worship me with love eternally, chanting my name.
I assume the burden of their sufferings. Like a mother cares for her child, so do I watch over my devotees, aiding them at every moment. I grant them joy in this life and my supreme paradise hereafter, liberating them from the
cycles of birth and death.
O son of Kunti! Those who do not discern between me and other deities—who worship them devotedly—do not truly understand me. Can a servant and master be one? Each has their place; thus, I am master over all deities: Brahma, Vishnu, Shankara, Shesha Narayana, Bhairava—all are subject to my Maya, which is under my control.
Knowing this truth, those who worship me are my true devotees. O Arjuna! I uphold all dharma; by my decree, gods bear fruit. Those ignorant of me never escape the suffering of birth and death.
Those who worship deities receive their rewards; those who honor ancestors (Pitars) receive theirs; those who engage in mantras, tantras, or meditations (Samadhis) attain spirit forms (Bhoot Yoni); but those who worship me attain my eternal bliss. Those who offer me fruits, flowers, leaves, and water with purity of heart—I joyfully accept such loving offerings. For I desire not wealth but love.
See how your love has made me your charioteer. Therefore, whatever you do or eat, whatever you offer to the sacred fire or give as a gift, whatever austerities you perform—do it all as an offering to me. By doing so, you will be liberated from all sufferings and embrace renunciation (Sannyasa Dharma), attaining my eternal essence (Satchidananda Swaroop).
O Arjuna! All beings are equal to me; I harbor no envy or opposition towards anyone. Yet those who worship me with unity of purpose are mine, and I am theirs. Even if one commits evil but worships me as the Satchidananda Swaroopa Parabrahma—the master of all—chanting only my name should be considered virtuous for they have chosen the righteous path.'"
"Lord Krishna said, 'O Arjuna, I assure you that my devotion will remain
untainted.
Even those born into impoverished families of any caste, as well as women, Vaishyas, and Shudras who are devoted to me, shall reach the Supreme Goal. How much more so for my devoted Brahmins and Kshatriyas who perform their duties with wisdom? This world is transient. Knowing this, you should worship me, for the human body is a rare gift, attained through virtuous deeds and not easily acquired again. Those who neglect to worship me after receiving such a precious birth, who become ensnared in familial bonds and the allure of the opposite sex, are truly foolish and sinful. There is no one more sinful in this world.
You were born into a noble family, possess a fine body, and have met me; therefore, heed my words and worship me. Now, how should one practice devotion? Renounce all desires and focus on me; forsake all goddesses and gods and worship me; chant my name; prostrate before me. By doing so, you will achieve my supreme bliss.'"
ITI SHRIMADBHAGWADGEETASUPANISHATSHU BRAHMAVIDYAYAM YOGSHASTRE SHRIKRISHNAARJUN SAMVADE RAJVIDYARAJGUIHYA YOGONAM NAVMOADHYAYAH ॥9॥
|| SHRIKRISHAN ARPAN MASTU ||
