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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

9.32 9.34

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 9.33

Loving offerings, service and remembrance

Īśvara · God

किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणा: पुण्या भक्ता राजर्षयस्तथा ।

अनित्यमसुखं लोकमिमं प्राप्य भजस्व माम् ॥ ३३ ॥

kiṁ punar brāhmaṇāḥ puṇyā

bhaktā rājarṣayas tathā

anityam asukhaṁ lokam

imaṁ prāpya bhajasva mām

Translation

How much more this is so of the righteous brāhmaṇas, the devotees and the saintly kings. Therefore, having come to this temporary, miserable world, engage in loving service unto Me.

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

Loving Service to the Lord

1
The Lord says to serve Him with love, having come to this temporary, miserable world.
2
Prabhupāda explains that this world is temporary, not false. The other world is eternal and blissful.
3
Take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the only way to solve everyone’s problems.

Key points from the purport

Then what to speak of qualified righteous brahmanas, devotees and saintly kings — Krishna definitely helps them.

Conclusion: Having come to temporary miserable world, one must engage in loving service unto ‘Me’

‘Anityam asukham lokam’ — Indicates ‘world is not a happy place but temporary and full of misery’ – “Whoever you may be”

Refutes Mayavadis who say that ‘this world is false’, but our philosophy is “this world is not false but temporary”

‘Rajarsis’ — “Saintly royal families” – Indicates Arjuna is also motivated to take to devotional service

Conclusion — Devotional service is the only process to solve all problems of life for all people at all times

Connected verses · 2

Texts 9.32 & 9.33

The next verse describes those who have taken higher birth

Texts 9.33 & 9.34

Krishna concluded Text 9.33 with the words “bhajasva mam”, “Engage in loving service unto Me.” In the next text, Krishna will clearly tell us how to do so.

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