1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

700 verses37 detailed

Or browse by chapter

Chapter

Chapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge · 34 verses

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

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

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

9.31 9.33

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 9.32

Loving offerings, service and remembrance

Īśvara · God

मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्यु: पापयोनय: ।

स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा श‍ूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम् ॥ ३२ ॥

māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya

ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ

striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās

te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim

Translation

O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth – women, vaiśyas [merchants] and śūdras [workers] – can attain the supreme destination.

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

Shelter in Kṛṣṇa Is Open

1
Those who take shelter in Kṛṣṇa—including women, merchants, workers, and those of lower birth—can reach the supreme destination.
2
Prabhupāda explains that devotional service has no higher or lower classes; a pure devotee’s guidance can purify anyone.
3
Take complete shelter of Kṛṣṇa and seek a pure devotee’s guidance in devotional service.

Key points from the purport

Even unqualified classes also achieve Krishna by His mercy

e.g. Women, Vaisyas and Sudras

No distinction in different classes — This verse establishes that in devotional service, there is no distinction between higher and lower classes as opposed to the material conception of life. (Ref. SB 2.4.18)

Indicates ‘Power of devotional service and pure devotees’ — Most simple man taking shelter of a pure devotee can be purified by proper guidance, even the lowest of men chandalas (Ref. SB 2.4.18)

Importance of shelter (‘Vyapashritya’) — One has to take complete shelter of Krishna – Then one can become greater than great jnanis and yogis; pure devotees can enable people of lower classes to attain highest perfection.

Connected verses · 2

Texts 9.31 & 9.32

Krishna continues to glorify the path of bhakti

Texts 9.32 & 9.33

The next verse describes those who have taken higher birth

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