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Chapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge · 34 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Bhakti & surrenderChapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge

9.28 9.30

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 9.29

Loving offerings, service and remembrance

Īśvara · God

समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रिय: ।

ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्य‍ा मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ॥ २९ ॥

samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu

na me dveṣyo ’sti na priyaḥ

ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā

mayi te teṣu cāpy aham

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.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Equal to All, Close to Devotees

1
Kṛṣṇa is equal to everyone, yet whoever serves Him with devotion is in Him and shares His friendship.
2
Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa’s special care for devotees is natural, loving mercy—not discrimination or a result of karma.
3
Serve Kṛṣṇa with devotion, knowing that He responds personally to your surrender.

Key points from the purport

But Krishna is not partial, He is equal to everyone, He envies no one

But whoever renders service unto Me is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to Him

QUESTION — If Krishna is equal to all and no-one is His special friend then why does He take special interest in devotees who are always engaged in his transcendental service ANSWER: This is not discrimination but “natural”

Analogy — Any man in material world may be charitably disposed, but has special interest in own children

But one may say — Lord says all living entities are His children –

Our response – Yes, therefore He supplies everyone with generous supply of all necessities

Analogy: Like a cloud pours water all over the earth: rock, land or water FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 9.29 continued…

But for devotees — “He gives specific attention” – Such devotees are

Transcendentally situated in Krishna

The phrase “Krishna consciousness” indicates that they are “Living Transcendentalists”

Lord says “Mayi te” – They are in Me. Naturally Lord is also in them reciprocally

Ref. Bg. 4.11 – “Ye Yatha...” – Lord reciprocates according to one’s surrender

This transcendental reciprocation exists because the Lord and His devotees are conscious

Analogy: Lord and living entity eternally glitter — When living entity is in service of diamond like Lord, he looks like Gold (Diamond on gold ring)

Personalism — If reciprocal relationship not present between Lord and devotees, there is no personalist philosophy

Analogy: Lord is like a desire tree — supplies whatever one wants

Lord’s reciprocation should not be considered under the law of karma

It belongs to transcendental situation in which Lord and His devotees function

Devotional service is not an activity of the material world, but a part of the spiritual world where eternity, bliss and knowledge predominates

Connected verses · 2

Texts 9.28 & 9.29

Krishna stated earlier that He delivers His devotees and annihilates the miscreants, but shouldn’t the Supreme Lord, who is the father of all living entities, treat all – both the good and bad – equally? Is Krishna partial?

Texts 9.29 & 9.30

Krishna personally maintains and cares for His devotees. Even if His devotee were to perform a heinous act, Krishna would nevertheless protect and purify him.

The Glories Of Devotional Service To Krishna

Pure devotional service – If one worships Krishna with devotion or even offers Him the fruit of his work, one becomes free from reactions and comes to Him. Worship is simple and result is super excellent (9.26 – 9.28)

Krishna shows favouritism to His devotee. He considers a devotee saintly, even if he’s committed a horrible act, and He quickly purifies the devotee (9.29 – 9.31)

Devotional Service purifies all. By thinking of Krishna, offering Him obeisances and being absorbed in Him, one goes back to Godhead, regardless of his position (9.32 – 9.34)

Chapter 9, section IV: The Glories Of Devotional Service To Krishna