Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11
Author Kedi Ganapati
Shloka 11:1
मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम् ।
यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम ॥ ११:१ ॥
madanugrahaya paramam guhyam adhyatma-sanjnitam
yat tvayoktam vachas tena moho 'yam vigato mama
Translation
Arjuna said: By Your grace, You have spoken to me the supreme confidential spiritual knowledge. By hearing these words, my illusion has now been dispelled.
Conversation
Shloka 11:2
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया ।
त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ॥ ११:२ ॥
bhavapyayau hi bhutanam shrutau vistarasho maya
tvattah kamala-patraksha mahatmyam api chavyayam
Translation
O Lotus-eyed Lord, I have heard from You in detail about the creation and dissolution of all beings, as well as Your eternal greatness.
Conversation
Shloka 11:3
एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर ।
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ॥ ११:३ ॥
evam etad yathattha tvam atmanam parameshvara
drashtum icchami te rupam aishvaram purushottama
Translation
O Supreme Lord, all that You have said about Yourself is certainly true. Yet I desire to behold Your divine universal form, O Supreme Person.
Conversation
Shloka 11:4
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो ।
योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् ॥ ११:४ ॥
manyase yadi tac chakyam maya drashtum iti prabho
yogeshvara tato me tvam darshayatmanam avyayam
Translation
O Lord, if You think I am able to behold it, then please reveal to me Your imperishable universal form, O Master of Yoga.
Conversation
Shloka 11:5
पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ।
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च ॥ ११:५ ॥
pashya me partha rupani shatasho 'tha sahasrashah
nana-vidhani divyani nana-varnakritini cha
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: Behold, O Partha, My hundreds and thousands of divine forms, of various kinds, colors, and shapes.
Conversation
Shloka 11:6
बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याश्चर्याणि भारत ॥ ११:६ ॥
bahuny adrishta-purvani pashyashcharyani bharata
Translation
Behold the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Ashvini Kumaras, and Maruts. O Bharata, see many wonderful things never seen before.
Conversation
Shloka 11:7
मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि ॥ ११:७ ॥
mama dehe gudakesha yac chanyad drashtum icchasi
Translation
O Gudakesha, behold within My body the entire universe, with all moving and non-moving beings, and whatever else you wish to see.
Conversation
Shloka 11:8
दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ॥ ११:८ ॥
divyam dadami te chakshuh pashya me yogam aishvaram
Translation
But you cannot see Me with your present eyes. Therefore I grant you divine vision. Behold My supreme mystic opulence.
Conversation
Shloka 11:9
एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः ।
दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम् ॥ ११:९ ॥
evam uktva tato rajan maha-yogeshvaro harih
darshayam asa parthaya paramam rupam aishvaram
Translation
Sanjaya said: O King, having spoken thus, the Supreme Lord, the Great Master of Yoga, revealed His supreme universal form to Arjuna.
Conversation
Shloka 11:10
अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यनेकोद्यतायुधम् ॥ ११:१० ॥
aneka-divyabharanam divyanekodyatayudham
Translation
The universal form had countless mouths and eyes, displayed innumerable wondrous visions, was adorned with many divine ornaments, and held countless uplifted celestial weapons.
Conversation
Shloka 11:11
सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम् ॥ ११:११ ॥
sarvashcharya-mayam devam anantam vishvato-mukham
Translation
He wore divine garlands and garments, was anointed with heavenly fragrances, was full of wondrous splendor, limitless, and faced in every direction.
Conversation
Shloka 11:12
यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः ॥ ११:१२ ॥
yadi bhah sadrishi sa syad bhasas tasya mahatmanah
Translation
If thousands of suns were to rise simultaneously in the sky, their brilliance might resemble the splendor of that Supreme Being.
Conversation
Shloka 11:13
अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा ॥ ११:१३ ॥
apashyad deva-devasya sharire pandavas tada
Translation
At that moment, Arjuna saw within the body of the God of gods the entire universe, divided into its many manifestations, all existing in one place.
Conversation
Shloka 11:14
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत ॥ ११:१४ ॥
pranamya shirasa devam kritanjalir abhashata
Translation
Then, filled with amazement, his hair standing on end, Arjuna bowed his head before the Lord, folded his hands, and began to speak.
Conversation
Shloka 11:15
पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे सर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान् ।
ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थम् ऋषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान् ॥ ११:१५ ॥
pashyami devams tava deva dehe sarvams tatha bhuta-vishesha-sanghan
brahmanam isham kamalasanastham rishimsh cha sarvan uragamsh cha divyan
Translation
Arjuna said: O Lord, within Your body I behold all the gods, all varieties of living beings, Lord Brahma seated on the lotus, Lord Shiva, all the sages, and the divine serpents.
Conversation
Shloka 11:16
नान्तं न मध्यं न पुनस्तवादिं पश्यामि विश्वेश्वर विश्वरूप ॥ ११:१६ ॥
nantam na madhyam na punas tavadim pashyami vishveshvara vishva-rupa
Translation
I see You with countless arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes, manifesting infinite forms everywhere. O Lord of the universe, I see neither Your beginning, middle, nor end.
Conversation
Shloka 11:17
पश्यामि तवां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ताद् दीप्तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम् ॥ ११:१७ ॥
pashyami tvam durnirikshyam samantad diptanalarka-dyutim aprameyam
Translation
I behold You wearing a crown, bearing a mace and discus, radiating brilliant light in every direction. Your splendor is as dazzling as blazing fire and the sun, making You impossible to behold.
Conversation
Shloka 11:18
त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे ॥ ११:१८ ॥
tvam avyayah shashvata-dharma-gopta sanatanas tvam purusho mato me
Translation
You are the Supreme Imperishable, the ultimate object of knowledge. You are the supreme refuge of the universe, the eternal protector of the everlasting Dharma, and the eternal Supreme Person.
Conversation
Shloka 11:19
पश्यामि तवां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रं स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम् ॥ ११:१९ ॥
pashyami tvam dipta-hutasha-vaktram sva-tejasa vishvam idam tapantam
Translation
I see You without beginning, middle, or end, possessing infinite power and countless arms. The moon and the sun are Your eyes, and Your blazing mouths radiate fire, illuminating and heating the entire universe.
Conversation
Shloka 11:20
दृष्ट्वाद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं लोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन् ॥ ११:२० ॥
drishtvadbhutam rupam ugram tavedaṁ loka-trayam pravyathitam mahatman
Translation
O Great Soul, You alone pervade the space between heaven and earth and all directions. Seeing Your wondrous and terrifying universal form, the three worlds are filled with fear.
Conversation
Shloka 11:21
स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाः स्तुवन्ति त्वां स्तुतिभिः पुष्कलाभिः ॥ ११:२१ ॥
svastity uktva maharshi-siddha-sanghah stuvanti tvam stutibhih pushkalabhih
Translation
All the hosts of gods are entering into You. Some, struck with fear, offer prayers with folded hands. Great sages and perfected beings glorify You with abundant hymns, crying, "May there be peace!"
Conversation
Shloka 11:22
गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसङ्घा वीक्षन्ते त्वां विस्मिताश्चैव सर्वे ॥ ११:२२ ॥
gandharva-yakshasura-siddha-sangha vikshante tvam vismitash chaiva sarve
Translation
The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvedevas, Ashvini Kumaras, Maruts, Pitrs, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, and Siddhas all gaze upon You in wonder.
Conversation
Shloka 11:23
बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम् ॥ ११:२३ ॥
bahudaram bahu-damshtra-karalam drishtva lokah pravyathitas tathaham
Translation
O mighty-armed Lord, seeing Your immense form with many mouths, eyes, arms, thighs, feet, bellies, and terrifying fangs, all the worlds—and I as well—are filled with fear.
Conversation
Shloka 11:24
दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा धृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो ॥ ११:२४ ॥
drishtva hi tvam pravyathitantaratma dhritim na vindami shamam cha vishno
Translation
O Vishnu, seeing Your radiant form touching the sky, blazing with many colors, with wide-open mouths and huge fiery eyes, my heart trembles. I can no longer maintain my composure or peace.
Conversation
Shloka 11:25
दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्म प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ॥ ११:२५ ॥
disho na jane na labhe cha sharma prasida devesha jagannivasa
Translation
Seeing Your dreadful mouths with fearful fangs, resembling the fire of cosmic destruction, I lose all sense of direction and peace. O Lord of gods, O refuge of the universe, be merciful to me.
Conversation
Shloka 11:26
भीष्मो द्रोणः सूतपुत्रस्तथासौ सहास्मदीयैरपि योधमुख्यैः ॥ ११:२६ ॥
bhishmo dronah suta-putras tathasau sahasmadiyair api yodha-mukhyaih
Translation
I see all the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with their allied kings, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and the foremost warriors on our side as well, entering into Your mouths.
Conversation
Shloka 11:27
केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु सन्दृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः ॥ ११:२७ ॥
kechid vilagna dashanantareshu sandrishyante churnitair uttamangaih
Translation
They rush headlong into Your terrifying mouths with dreadful fangs. Some are seen caught between Your teeth, their heads crushed to pieces.
Conversation
Shloka 11:28
तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति ॥ ११:२८ ॥
tatha tavami nara-loka-vira vishanti vaktrany abhivijvalanti
Translation
Just as many rushing rivers flow toward the ocean, so do these heroic warriors enter Your blazing mouths.
Conversation
Shloka 11:29
तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोकाः तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः ॥ ११:२९ ॥
tathaiva nashaya vishanti lokah tavapi vaktrani samriddha-vegah
Translation
As moths rush swiftly into a blazing fire to perish, so all these worlds hasten into Your mouths for their destruction.
Conversation
Shloka 11:30
तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रं भासस्तवोग्राः प्रतपन्ति विष्णो ॥ ११:३० ॥
tejobhir apurya jagat samagram bhasas tavograh pratapanti vishno
Translation
O Vishnu, You lick up and devour all the worlds from every side with Your blazing mouths. Filling the entire universe with Your radiant splendor, Your fierce brilliance scorches everything.
Conversation
Shloka 11:31
आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद ।
विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम् ॥ ११:३१ ॥
akhyahi me ko bhavan ugra-rupo namo 'stu te deva-vara prasida
vijnatum icchami bhavantam adyam na hi prajanami tava pravrittim
Translation
Arjuna said: O Lord of gods, please tell me who You are in this fierce form. I offer my respectful obeisance unto You. Be gracious to me. I wish to understand You, the Original Being, for I do not know the purpose of Your manifestation.
Conversation
Shloka 11:32
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः ।
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः ॥ ११:३२ ॥
kalo 'smi loka-kshaya-krit pravriddho lokan samahartum iha pravrittah
rite 'pi tvam na bhavishyanti sarve ye 'vasthitah pratyanikeshu yodhah
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: I am Time, the mighty destroyer of worlds, engaged here in annihilating these people. Even without your participation, all the warriors standing in the opposing armies shall cease to exist.
Conversation
Shloka 11:33
मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ॥ ११:३३ ॥
mayaivaite nihatah purvam eva nimitta-matram bhava savya-sachin
Translation
Therefore arise and win glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. They have already been slain by Me; O expert archer, you are merely an instrument.
Conversation
Shloka 11:34
मया हतांस्त्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा युध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्नान् ॥ ११:३४ ॥
maya hatams tvam jahi ma vyathishtha yudhyasva jetasi rane sapatnan
Translation
Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and the other heroic warriors have already been slain by Me. Therefore fight without fear; you shall surely conquer your enemies in battle.
Conversation
Shloka 11:35
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी ।
नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं सगद्गदं भीतभीतः प्रणम्य ॥ ११:३५ ॥
namaskritva bhuya evaha krishnam sa-gadgadam bhita-bhitah pranamya
Translation
Sanjaya said: Hearing these words of Keshava, Arjuna, trembling with folded hands, bowed again before Krishna and spoke in a faltering voice, overwhelmed with fear.
Conversation
Shloka 11:36
स्थाने हृषीकेश तव प्रकीर्त्या जगत्प्रहृष्यत्यनुरज्यते च ।
रक्षांसि भीतानि दिशो द्रवन्ति सर्वे नमस्यन्ति च सिद्धसङ्घाः ॥ ११:३६ ॥
sthane hrishikesha tava prakirtya jagat prahrishyaty anurajyate cha
rakshamsi bhitani disho dravanti sarve namasyanti cha siddha-sanghah
Translation
Arjuna said: O Hrishikesha, it is fitting that the world rejoices in glorifying You and becomes devoted to You. The demons flee in fear in all directions, while all perfected beings bow before You.
Conversation
Shloka 11:37
अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास त्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत् ॥ ११:३७ ॥
ananta devesha jagannivasa tvam aksharam sad-asat tat-param yat
Translation
O Great Soul, why should they not bow to You? You are greater even than Brahma, the original creator. O Infinite Lord of gods and abode of the universe, You are the Imperishable Reality beyond both the manifest and the unmanifest.
Conversation
Shloka 11:38
वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ॥ ११:३८ ॥
vettasi vedyam cha param cha dhama tvaya tatam vishvam ananta-rupa
Translation
You are the Original God, the eternal Supreme Person. You are the supreme refuge of this universe, the knower and the object of knowledge, the highest abode. O Infinite Form, You pervade the entire universe.
Conversation
Shloka 11:39
नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते ॥ ११:३९ ॥
namo namas te 'stu sahasra-kritvah punash cha bhuyo 'pi namo namas te
Translation
You are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, the Moon, Prajapati, and the great-grandfather of all beings. I offer You my repeated obeisances—again and again, thousands of times.
Conversation
Shloka 11:40
अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः ॥ ११:४० ॥
ananta-viryamita-vikramas tvam sarvam samapnoshi tato 'si sarvah
Translation
My obeisances to You from the front and from behind; indeed, I offer my respects to You from every direction. O Lord of infinite power and immeasurable might, You pervade everything; therefore, You are everything.
Conversation
Shloka 11:41
सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति ।
अजानता महिमानं तवेदं मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि ॥ ११:४१ ॥
sakheti matva prasabham yad uktam he krishna he yadava he sakheti
ajanata mahimanam tavedam maya pramadat pranayena vapi
Translation
Thinking of You merely as my friend, I rashly addressed You as, "O Krishna," "O Yadava," or "O my friend," without knowing Your supreme greatness, whether out of affection or carelessness.
Conversation
Shloka 11:42
एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम् ॥ ११:४२ ॥
hko 'thavapy achyuta tat-samaksham tat kshamaye tvam aham aprameyam
Translation
O Achyuta, for whatever disrespect I may have shown You in jest, while relaxing, resting, sitting together, eating, whether alone or in the presence of others, I beg Your forgiveness, O immeasurable Lord.
Conversation
Shloka 11:43
न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव ॥ ११:४३ ॥
na tvat-samo 'sty abhyadhikah kuto 'nyo loka-traye 'py apratima-prabhava
Translation
You are the Father of this moving and non-moving universe. You are its most worshipable Lord and supreme spiritual teacher. No one is equal to You, and how then could anyone be greater than You in all the three worlds?
Conversation
Shloka 11:44
पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः प्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम् ॥ ११:४४ ॥
piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyuh priyah priyayarhasi deva sodhum
Translation
Therefore, bowing down with my body, I seek Your mercy, O adorable Lord. As a father forgives his son, a friend forgives a friend, and a beloved forgives the beloved, please forgive me.
Conversation
Shloka 11:45
तदेव मे दर्शय देव रूपं प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ॥ ११:४५ ॥
tad eva me darshaya deva rupam prasida devesha jagannivasa
Translation
Having seen this unprecedented form, I rejoice, yet my mind is also overwhelmed with fear. O Lord of gods, O refuge of the universe, please be gracious and show me once again Your gentle form.
Conversation
Shloka 11:46
तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेन सहस्रबाहो भव विश्वमूर्ते ॥ ११:४६ ॥
tenaiva rupena chatur-bhujena sahasra-baho bhava vishva-murte
Translation
I wish to see You again in Your four-armed form, wearing a crown and holding the mace and discus. O thousand-armed Universal Form, please appear in that form.
Conversation
Shloka 11:47
मया प्रसन्नने तवार्जुनेदं रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात् ।
तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं यन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम् ॥ ११:४७ ॥
tejo-mayam vishvam anantam adyam yan me tvad anyena na drishta-purvam
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, by My grace and through My divine power, I have revealed to you this supreme, radiant, infinite, and universal form, which no one before you has ever seen.
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Shloka 11:48
एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ॥ ११:४८ ॥
evam-rupah shakya aham nriloke drashtum tvad anyena kuru-pravira
Translation
O best of the Kurus, neither by studying the Vedas, performing sacrifices, giving charity, executing rituals, nor by severe austerities can anyone in this human world behold Me in this form, except you.
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Shloka 11:49
व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ॥ ११:४९ ॥
vyapeta-bhih prita-manah punas tvam tad eva me rupam idam prapashya
Translation
Do not be afraid or bewildered upon seeing this terrifying form of Mine. Free from fear and with a joyful heart, behold once again My familiar form.
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Shloka 11:50
इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वा स्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः ।
आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनं भूत्वा पुनः सौम्यवपुर्महात्मा ॥ ११:५० ॥
ashvasayam asa cha bhitam enam bhutva punah saumya-vapur mahatma
Translation
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Arjuna, Vasudeva resumed His gentle form and comforted the frightened Arjuna.
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Shloka 11:51
दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तव सौम्यं जनार्दन ।
इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः ॥ ११:५१ ॥
idanim asmi samvrittah sa-chetah prakritim gatah
Translation
Arjuna said: O Janardana, seeing Your gentle human form once again, my mind is restored, and I have regained my natural composure.
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Shloka 11:52
सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम ।
देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः ॥ ११:५२ ॥
deva apyasya rupasya nityam darshana-kankshinah
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: This form of Mine which you have seen is exceedingly difficult to behold. Even the gods are ever eager to witness it.
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Shloka 11:53
शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥ ११:५३ ॥
shakya evam-vidho drashtum drishtvan asi mam yatha
Translation
Neither by study of the Vedas, nor by austerities, nor by charity, nor by worship can I be seen in this form as you have seen Me.
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Shloka 11:54
ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप ॥ ११:५४ ॥
jnatum drashtum cha tattvena praveshtum cha parantapa
Translation
But by exclusive devotion alone, O Arjuna, can I truly be known, seen in reality, and entered into, O conqueror of enemies.
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Shloka 11:55
निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव ॥ ११:५५ ॥
nirvairah sarva-bhuteshu yah sa mam eti pandava
Translation
One who works for Me, regards Me as the Supreme Goal, is devoted to Me, free from worldly attachment, and without hatred toward any living being—such a person comes to Me, O Pandava.
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Note: Every interpretation published here is the original work of Kedi Ganapati alone. No other author, commentator, or interpreter has contributed to these explanations. These interpretations are based on Kedi Ganapati's own understanding of the Bhagavad Gita's verses through personal study, research, wisdom, and experience.
