Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga
The Yoga of the Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret
Jump to verse: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34
Verse 9.1
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
idaṁ tu te guhyatamaṁ pravakṣyāmy anasūyave |
jñānaṁ vijñāna-sahitaṁ yaj jñātvā mokṣyase ’śubhāt ||1||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
idan tu te guhyatamam pravakshyamy anasuyave |
jnanam vijnana-sahitam yaj jnatva mokshyase ’shubhat ||1||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.
Verse 9.2
rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ pavitram idam uttamam |
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ susukhaṁ kartum avyayam ||2||
raja-vidya raja-guhyam pavitram idam uttamam |
pratyakshavagaman dharmyam susukhan kartum avyayam ||2||
Translation: This supreme knowledge is the king of education and the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is imperishable, and it is joyfully performed.
Verse 9.3
aśraddadhānāḥ puruṣā dharmasyāsya parantapa |
aprāpya māṁ nivartante mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani ||3||
ashraddadhanah purusha dharmasyasya parantapa |
aprapya mam nivartante mrityu-samsara-vartmani ||3||
Translation: Those who are not faithful in this devotional service cannot attain Me, O conqueror of the foe. Therefore they return to the path of birth and death in this material world.
Verse 9.4
mayā tatam idaṁ sarvaṁ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā |
matsthāni sarva-bhūtāni na cāhaṁ teṣv avasthitaḥ ||4||
maya tatam idam sarvan jagad avyakta-murtina |
matsthani sarva-bhutani na chahan teshv avasthitah ||4||
Translation: By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them.
Verse 9.5
na ca matsthāni bhūtāni paśya me yogam aiśvaram |
bhūta-bhṛn na ca bhūtastho mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ ||5||
na cha matsthani bhutani pashya me yogam aishvaram |
bhuta-bhrin na cha bhutastho mamatma bhuta-bhavanah ||5||
Translation: And yet everything that is created does not rest in My opulence. Behold My mystic opulence! Although I am the maintainer of all living entities and although I am everywhere, I am not a part of this cosmic manifestation, for My Self is the very source of creation.
Verse 9.6
yathākāśa-sthito nityaṁ vāyuḥ sarvatra-go mahān |
tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni matsthānīty upadhāraya ||6||
yathakasha-sthito nityam vayuh sarvatra-go mahan |
tatha sarvani bhutani matsthanity upadharaya ||6||
Translation: Understand that as the mighty wind, blowing everywhere, rests always in the sky, all created beings rest in Me.
Verse 9.7
sarva-bhūtāni kaunteya prakṛtiṁ yānti māmikām |
kalpa-kṣaye punas tāni kalpādau visṛjāmy aham ||7||
sarva-bhutani kaunteya prakritim yanti mamikam |
kalpa-kshaye punas tani kalpadau visrijamy aham ||7||
Translation: O son of Kunti, at the end of the millennium every material manifestation enters into My nature, and at the beginning of another millennium I manifest them again.
Verse 9.8
prakṛtiṁ svām avaṣṭabhya visṛjāmi punaḥ punaḥ |
bhūta-grāmam imaṁ kṛtsnam avaśaṁ prakṛter vaśāt ||8||
prakritim svam avashtabhya visrijami punah punah |
bhuta-gramam iman kritsnam avasham prakriter vashat ||8||
Translation: The whole cosmic order is under Me. By My will it is manifested again and again, and by My will it is annihilated at the end.
Verse 9.9
na ca māṁ tāni karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya |
udāsīnavad āsīnam asaktaṁ teṣu karmasu ||9||
na cha man tani karmani nibadhnanti dhananjaya |
udasinavad asinam asaktan teshu karmasu ||9||
Translation: O Dhananjaya, all this work cannot bind Me. I am ever detached, situated as though neutral, from all these material activities.
Verse 9.10
mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram |
hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate ||10||
mayadhyakshena prakritih suyate sa-characharam |
hetunanena kaunteya jagad viparivartate ||10||
Translation: This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kunti, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.
Verse 9.11
avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam |
paraṁ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśvaram ||11||
avajananti mam mudha manushin tanum ashritam |
param bhavam ajananto mama bhuta-maheshvaram ||11||
Translation: Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be.
Verse 9.12
moghāśā mogha-karmāṇo mogha-jñānā vicetasaḥ |
rākṣasīm āsurīṁ caiva prakṛtiṁ mohinīṁ śritāḥ ||12||
moghasha mogha-karmano mogha-jnana vichetasah |
rakshasim asurin chaiva prakritim mohinim shritah ||12||
Translation: Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demonic and atheistic views. In that condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their knowledge are all defeated.
Verse 9.13
mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ |
bhajanty ananya-manaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam ||13||
mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakritim ashritah |
bhajanty ananya-manaso jnatva bhutadim avyayam ||13||
Translation: O son of Pritha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.
Verse 9.14
satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ |
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā nitya-yuktā upāsate ||14||
satatan kirtayanto mam yatantash cha dridha-vratah |
namasyantash cha mam bhaktya nitya-yukta upasate ||14||
Translation: Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.
Verse 9.15
jñāna-yajñena cāpy anye yajanto mām upāsate |
ekatvena pṛthaktvena bahudhā viśvato-mukham ||15||
jnana-yajnena chapy anye yajanto mam upasate |
ekatvena prithaktvena bahudha vishvato-mukham ||15||
Translation: Others, who engage in sacrifice by the cultivation of knowledge, worship the Supreme Lord as the one without a second, as diverse in many, and in the universal form.
Verse 9.16
ahaṁ kratur ahaṁ yajñaḥ svadhāham aham auṣadham |
mantro ’ham aham evājyam aham agnir ahaṁ hutam ||16||
ahan kratur aham yajnah svadhaham aham aushadham |
mantro ’ham aham evajyam aham agnir aham hutam ||16||
Translation: But I am the ritual, I am the sacrifice, the offering to the ancestors, the healing herb, the transcendental chant. I am the butter and the fire and the offering.
Verse 9.17
pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ |
vedyaṁ pavitram oṁkāra ṛk sāma yajur eva ca ||17||
pitaham asya jagato mata dhata pitamahah |
vedyam pavitram onkara rik sama yajur eva cha ||17||
Translation: I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable om. I am also the Rig, the Sama and the Yajur Vedas.
Verse 9.18
gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṁ suhṛt |
prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam ||18||
gatir bharta prabhuh sakshi nivasah sharanam suhrit |
prabhavah pralayah sthanam nidhanam bijam avyayam ||18||
Translation: I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the destruction, the basis of all things, the resting place and the eternal seed.
Verse 9.19
tapāmy aham ahaṁ varṣaṁ nigṛhṇāmy utsṛjāmi ca |
amṛtaṁ caiva mṛtyuś ca sad asac cāham arjuna ||19||
tapamy aham aham varsham nigrihnamy utsrijami cha |
amritan chaiva mrityush cha sad asach chaham arjuna ||19||
Translation: O Arjuna, I give heat, and I withhold and send forth the rain. I am immortality, and I am death personified. Both spirit and matter are in Me.
Verse 9.20
trai-vidyā māṁ soma-pāḥ pūta-pāpā
yajñair iṣṭvā svar-gatiṁ prārthayante |
te puṇyam āsādya surendra-lokam
aśnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān ||20||
trai-vidya mam soma-pah puta-papa
yajnair ishtva svar-gatim prarthayante |
te punyam asadya surendra-lokam
ashnanti divyan divi deva-bhogan ||20||
Translation: Those who study the Vedas and drink the soma juice, seeking the heavenly planets, worship Me indirectly. Purified of sinful reactions, they take birth on the pious, heavenly planet of Indra and enjoy godly pleasures.
Verse 9.21
te taṁ bhuktvā svarga-lokaṁ viśālaṁ
kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśanti |
evaṁ trayī-dharmamanuprapannā
gatāgataṁ kāmakāmā labhante ||21||
te tam bhuktva svarga-lokam vishalam
kshine punye martya-lokam vishanti |
evan trayi-dharmamanuprapanna
gatagatan kamakama labhante ||21||
Translation: When they have thus enjoyed vast heavenly pleasure and the results of their pious activities are exhausted, they return to this mortal planet again. Thus those who seek sense enjoyment by adhering to the principles of the three Vedas achieve only repeated birth and death.
Verse 9.22
ananyāś cintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate |
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmyaham ||22||
ananyash chintayanto mam ye janah paryupasate |
tesham nityabhiyuktanam yoga-kshemam vahamyaham ||22||
Translation: But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.
Verse 9.23
ye ’py anya-devatā-bhaktā yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ |
te ’pi mām eva kaunteya yajanty avidhi-pūrvakam ||23||
ye ’py anya-devata-bhakta yajante shraddhayanvitah |
te ’pi mam eva kaunteya yajanty avidhi-purvakam ||23||
Translation: Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith actually worship only Me, O son of Kunti, but they do so in a way that is not authorized.
Verse 9.24
ahaṁ hi sarva-yajñānāṁ bhoktā ca prabhur eva ca |
na tu mām abhijānanti tattvenātaś cyavanti te ||24||
aham hi sarva-yajnanam bhokta cha prabhur eva cha |
na tu mam abhijananti tattvenatash chyavanti te ||24||
Translation: I am the only enjoyer and master of all sacrifices. Therefore, those who do not recognize My true transcendental nature fall down.
Verse 9.25
yānti deva-vratā devān pitṝn yānti pitṛ-vratāḥ |
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām ||25||
yanti deva-vrata devan pitrin yanti pitri-vratah |
bhutani yanti bhutejya yanti mad-yajino ’pi mam ||25||
Translation: Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship ghosts and spirits take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me.
Verse 9.26
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati |
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ ||26||
patram pushpam phalan toyam yo me bhaktya prayachchhati |
tad aham bhakty-upahritam ashnami prayatatmanah ||26||
Translation: If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it—offered by the person of pure devotion.
Verse 9.27
yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi yaj juhoṣi dadāsi yat |
yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam ||27||
yat karoshi yad ashnasi yaj juhoshi dadasi yat |
yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurushva mad-arpanam ||27||
Translation: Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give in charity, and whatever austerities you perform, O son of Kunti, put that as an offering to Me.
Verse 9.28
śubhāśubha-phalair evaṁ mokṣyase karma-bandhanaiḥ |
sannyāsa-yoga-yuktātmā vimukto mām upaiṣyasi ||28||
shubhashubha-phalair evam mokshyase karma-bandhanaih |
sannyasa-yoga-yuktatma vimukto mam upaishyasi ||28||
Translation: In this way you will be freed from all reactions to good and evil work and will be liberated in this principle of renunciation. With your mind fixed on Me in this way, you will attain Me.
Verse 9.29
samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu na me dveṣyo ’sti na priyaḥ |
ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā mayi te teṣu cāpy aham ||29||
samo ’ham sarva-bhuteshu na me dveshyo ’sti na priyah |
ye bhajanti tu mam bhaktya mayi te teshu chapy aham ||29||
Translation: I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.
Verse 9.30
api cet su-durācāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk |
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ samyag vyavasito hi saḥ ||30||
api chet su-duracharo bhajate mam ananya-bhak |
sadhur eva sa mantavyah samyag vyavasito hi sah ||30||
Translation: Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.
Verse 9.31
kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati |
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati ||31||
kshipram bhavati dharmatma shashvach-chhantim nigachchhati |
kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranashyati ||31||
Translation: He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.
Verse 9.32
māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ |
striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim ||32||
mam hi partha vyapashritya ye ’pi syuh papa-yonayah |
striyo vaishyas tatha shudras te ’pi yanti paran gatim ||32||
Translation: O son of Pritha, those who take shelter in Me—though they be of lower birth, women, vaisyas [merchants], as well as sudras [workers]—can approach the supreme destination.
Verse 9.33
kiṁ punar brāhmaṇāḥ puṇyā bhaktā rājarṣayastathā |
anityam asukhaṁ lokam imaṁ prāpya bhajasva mām ||33||
kim punar brahmanah punya bhakta rajarshayastatha |
anityam asukham lokam imam prapya bhajasva mam ||33||
Translation: How much greater then are the pious brahmanas, the righteous kings and the devotees? Therefore, having come to this temporary, miserable world, engage in loving service unto Me.
Verse 9.34
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru |
mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ ||34||
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru |
mam evaishyasi yuktvaivam atmanam mat-parayanah ||34||
Translation: Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.