Profound inner change
Not just improvement, but fundamental transformation. Becoming someone new through spiritual practice.
Api ced asi papebhyah sarvebhyah papa-krit-tamah, sarvam jnana-plavenaiva vrjinam santarishyasi
Even if you are the most sinful of all sinners, once you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge, you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.
Yathaidhamsi samiddho 'gnir bhasmasat kurute 'rjuna, jnanagnih sarva-karmani bhasmasat kurute tatha
As a blazing fire turns wood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge burns all karmic reactions to ashes.
Na hi jnanena sadrisham pavitram iha vidyate, tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah kalenatmani vindati
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. One who has become accomplished in yoga finds it within their own self in due course of time.
Api chet suduracharo bhajate mam ananya-bhak, sadhur eva sa mantavyah samyag vyavasito hi sah
Even if someone commits the most abominable actions, if they worship Me with exclusive devotion, they are to be considered saintly, for they have made the proper resolve.
Kshipram bhavati dharmatma shashvac-chantim nigacchati, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranashyati
Quickly they become righteous and attain lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.
Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma shuchah
Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.
Vishaya vinivartante niraharasya dehinah, rasa-varjam raso 'py asya param drishtva nivartate
The objects of the senses turn away from those who abstain from them, but the taste remains. However, even this taste ceases for those who have seen the Supreme.
Daivi hy esha guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya, mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te
This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who surrender unto Me can easily cross beyond it.
Gunan etan atitya trin dehi deha-samudbhavan, janma-mrityu-jara-duhkhair vimukto 'mritam ashnute
When the embodied being transcends these three gunas associated with the body, they are freed from birth, death, old age, and suffering, and attains immortality.
Mam cha yo 'vyabhicharena bhakti-yogena sevate, sa gunan samatityaitan brahma-bhuyaya kalpate
Those who serve Me with unwavering devotional yoga transcend the three gunas and become fit for union with Brahman.
Arjuna uvaca: Nashto mohah smritir labdha tvat-prasadan mayacyuta, sthito 'smi gata-sandehah karishye vacanam tava
Arjuna said: O infallible Krishna, my illusion is dispelled, and by Your grace I have regained memory. I am now firm and free from doubt, and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.
Brahmany adhaya karmani sangam tyaktva karoti yah, lipyate na sa papena padma-patram ivambhasa
One who performs their duty without attachment, surrendering the results to the Supreme, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Kayena manasa buddhya kevalair indriyair api, yoginah karma kurvanti sangam tyaktvatma-shuddhaye
Yogis perform action with body, mind, intellect, and even the senses alone — all without attachment — for the purification of the self. This verse defines the spirit of karma yoga: using every faculty as a tool for self-purification rather than ego-gratification.
Yo 'ntah-sukho 'ntar-araamas tathantar-jyotir eva yah, sa yogi brahma-nirvanam brahma-bhuto 'dhigacchati
One who finds happiness within, who finds delight within, and who finds light within — that yogi, being one with Brahman, attains the peace of Brahman. The highest joy is self-luminous and inward, not dependent on any external condition.
Yatroparamate chittam niruddham yoga-sevaya, yatra chaivatmanatmanam pashyann atmani tushyati
When the mind, restrained by the practice of yoga, attains quietude, and when beholding the self by the self, one is satisfied in the self.
Yesham tv anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam, te dvandva-moha-nirmukta bhajante mam dridha-vratah
But those persons of virtuous deeds whose sins have come to an end, and who are freed from the delusion of duality, worship Me with firm resolve. The accumulation of virtuous deeds over many lives purifies the soul, eventually freeing it from delusion and enabling firm, unwavering devotion.
Mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakritim ashritah, bhajanty ananya-manaso jnatva bhutadim avyayam
O Partha, great souls who take shelter of the divine nature worship Me with undivided consciousness, knowing Me as the imperishable origin of all beings.
Satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas cha dridha-vratah, namasyantas cha mam bhaktya nitya-yukta upasate
Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with determination, and bowing down to Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.
Ye tu sarvani karmani mayi sannyasya mat-parah, ananyenaiva yogena mam dhyayanta upasate
But those who worship Me, surrendering all their activities to Me and devoted to Me without deviation, meditating on Me with exclusive yoga...
Tesham aham samuddharta mrityu-samsara-sagarat, bhavami na chirat partha mayy aveshita-chetasam
For those whose minds are set on Me, I am soon the deliverer from the ocean of death and transmigration, O Partha.
Read slowly and contemplate. Don't rush through these verses. Pick one that resonates and sit with it for a few minutes.
Return regularly. Ancient wisdom reveals itself gradually. Come back to these verses when you need them.
Apply to your situation. Consider how each teaching relates specifically to what you're experiencing right now.
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