Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga

Verse 1

Sanskrit Verse

श्री भगवानुवाच

इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे।

ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्।।9.1।।

Transliteration

śhrī bhagavān uvācha

idaṁ tu te guhyatamaṁ pravakṣhyāmyanasūyave

jñānaṁ vijñāna-sahitaṁ yaj jñātvā mokṣhyase ’śhubhāt

Swami Sivananda's translation

The Blessed Lord said, “I shall now declare to thee, who does not cavil, the greatest secret—the knowledge combined with experience (Self-realisation). Having known this, thou shalt be free from evil.”

Verse 2

Sanskrit Verse

राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम्।

प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं सुसुखं कर्तुमव्ययम्।।9.2।।

Transliteration

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ pavitram idam uttamam

pratyakṣhāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam

Swami Sivananda's translation

This is the royal science, the royal secret, the supreme purifier, realizable by direct intuitive knowledge, according to righteousness, very easy to perform and imperishable.

Verse 3

Sanskrit Verse

अश्रद्दधानाः पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप।

अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि।।9.3।।

Transliteration

aśhraddadhānāḥ puruṣhā dharmasyāsya parantapa

aprāpya māṁ nivartante mṛityu-samsāra-vartmani

Swami Sivananda's translation

Those who have no faith in this Dharma, O Parantapa, return to the path of this world without attaining Me.

Verse 4

Sanskrit Verse

मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना।

मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि न चाहं तेष्ववस्थितः।।9.4।।

Transliteration

mayā tatam idaṁ sarvaṁ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā

mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni na chāhaṁ teṣhvavasthitaḥ

Swami Sivananda's translation

All of this world is pervaded by Me in My unmanifest aspect; all beings exist within Me, but I do not dwell within them.

Verse 5

Sanskrit Verse

न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्।

भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः।।9.5।।

Transliteration

na cha mat-sthāni bhūtāni paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram

bhūta-bhṛin na cha bhūta-stho mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ

Swami Sivananda's translation

Nor do beings exist in Me (in reality); behold, My divine Yoga, which supports all beings, but does not dwell in them, is My Self, the efficient cause of beings.

Verse 6

Sanskrit Verse

यथाऽऽकाशस्थितो नित्यं वायुः सर्वत्रगो महान्।

तथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मत्स्थानीत्युपधारय।।9.6।।

Transliteration

yathākāśha-sthito nityaṁ vāyuḥ sarvatra-go mahān

tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni mat-sthānītyupadhāraya

Swami Sivananda's translation

As the mighty wind, moving everywhere, always rests in the ether, so too, know that all beings rest in Me.

Verse 7

Sanskrit Verse

सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम्।

कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम्।।9.7।।

Transliteration

sarva-bhūtāni kaunteya prakṛitiṁ yānti māmikām

kalpa-kṣhaye punas tāni kalpādau visṛijāmyaham

Swami Sivananda's translation

All beings, O Arjuna, go into My Nature at the end of a Kalpa; I send them forth again at the beginning of the next Kalpa.

Verse 8

Sanskrit Verse

प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः।

भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात्।।9.8।।

Transliteration

prakṛitiṁ svām avaṣhṭabhya visṛijāmi punaḥ punaḥ

bhūta-grāmam imaṁ kṛitsnam avaśhaṁ prakṛiter vaśhāt

Swami Sivananda's translation

Animating My Nature, I again and again send forth all this multitude of beings, helpless under the force of Nature.

Verse 9

Sanskrit Verse

न च मां तानि कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय।

उदासीनवदासीनमसक्तं तेषु कर्मसु।।9.9।।

Transliteration

na cha māṁ tāni karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya

udāsīna-vad āsīnam asaktaṁ teṣhu karmasu

Swami Sivananda's translation

These acts do not bind Me, O Arjuna, sitting as one indifferent, unattached to those acts.

Verse 10

Sanskrit Verse

मयाऽध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम्।

हेतुनाऽनेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते।।9.10।।

Transliteration

mayādhyakṣheṇa prakṛitiḥ sūyate sa-charācharam

hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate

Swami Sivananda's translation

Under Me, as supervisor, Nature produces the moving and the unmoving; therefore, O Arjuna, the world revolves.

Verse 11

Sanskrit Verse

अवजानन्ति मां मूढा मानुषीं तनुमाश्रितम्।

परं भावमजानन्तो मम भूतमहेश्वरम्।।9.11।।

Transliteration

avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣhīṁ tanum āśhritam

paraṁ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśhvaram

Swami Sivananda's translation

Fools disregard Me, clad in human form, not knowing My higher Being as the great Lord of all beings.

Verse 12

Sanskrit Verse

मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः।

राक्षसीमासुरीं चैव प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं श्रिताः।।9.12।।

Transliteration

moghāśhā mogha-karmāṇo mogha-jñānā vichetasaḥ

rākṣhasīm āsurīṁ chaiva prakṛitiṁ mohinīṁ śhritāḥ

Swami Sivananda's translation

They are possessed of the deceitful nature of demons and undivine beings, filled with vain hopes, vain actions, and vain knowledge that is senseless.

Verse 13

Sanskrit Verse

महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः।

भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम्।।9.13।।

Transliteration

mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛitim āśhritāḥ

bhajantyananya-manaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam

Swami Sivananda's translation

But the great souls, O Arjuna, partaking of My divine nature, worship Me with a single-minded devotion, knowing Me as the imperishable source of all beings.

Verse 14

Sanskrit Verse

सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः।

नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या नित्ययुक्ता उपासते।।9.14।।

Transliteration

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaśh cha dṛiḍha-vratāḥ

namasyantaśh cha māṁ bhaktyā nitya-yuktā upāsate

Swami Sivananda's translation

Always glorifying Me, striving, firm in their vows, prostrating themselves before Me, they worship Me with steadfast devotion.

Verse 15

Sanskrit Verse

ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये यजन्तो मामुपासते।

एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन बहुधा विश्वतोमुखम्।।9.15।।

Transliteration

jñāna-yajñena chāpyanye yajanto mām upāsate

ekatvena pṛithaktvena bahudhā viśhvato-mukham

Swami Sivananda's translation

Others also, sacrificing with the wisdom-sacrifice, worship Me, the All-Faced, as one, distinct, and manifold.

Verse 16

Sanskrit Verse

अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाऽहमहमौषधम्।

मंत्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम्।।9.16।।

Transliteration

ahaṁ kratur ahaṁ yajñaḥ svadhāham aham auṣhadham

mantro ’ham aham evājyam aham agnir ahaṁ hutam

Swami Sivananda's translation

I am Kratu; I am Yajna; I am the offering to the manes; I am the medicinal herbs and all plants; I am the Mantra; I am also the ghee or melted butter; I am the fire; I am the oblation.

Verse 17

Sanskrit Verse

पिताऽहमस्य जगतो माता धाता पितामहः।

वेद्यं पवित्रमोंकार ऋक् साम यजुरेव च।।9.17।।

Transliteration

pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ

vedyaṁ pavitram oṁkāra ṛik sāma yajur eva cha

Swami Sivananda's translation

I am the father of this world, the mother, the dispenser of the fruits of actions, and the grandfather; the one thing to be known, the purifier, the sacred monosyllable (Om), and also the Rik, Sama, and Yajur Vedas.

Verse 18

Sanskrit Verse

गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत्।

प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम्।।9.18।।

Transliteration

gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣhī nivāsaḥ śharaṇaṁ suhṛit

prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam

Swami Sivananda's translation

I am the goal, the supporter, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the shelter, the friend, the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the treasure-house, and the imperishable seed.

Verse 19

Sanskrit Verse

तपाम्यहमहं वर्षं निगृह्णाम्युत्सृजामि च।

अमृतं चैव मृत्युश्च सदसच्चाहमर्जुन।।9.19।।

Transliteration

tapāmyaham ahaṁ varṣhaṁ nigṛihṇāmyutsṛijāmi cha

amṛitaṁ chaiva mṛityuśh cha sad asach chāham arjuna

Swami Sivananda's translation

As the sun, I give heat; I withhold and send forth the rain; I am immortality and also death, existence and non-existence, O Arjuna.

Verse 20

Sanskrit Verse

त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा

यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते।

ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक

मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान्।।9.20।।

Transliteration

trai-vidyā māṁ soma-pāḥ pūta-pāpā

yajñair iṣhṭvā svar-gatiṁ prārthayante

te puṇyam āsādya surendra-lokam

aśhnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān

Swami Sivananda's translation

The knowers of the three Vedas, the drinkers of Soma, purified of all sins, worshipping Me through sacrifices, pray for the way to heaven; they reach the holy world of the Lord of the gods and enjoy the divine pleasures of the gods in heaven.

Verse 21

Sanskrit Verse

ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं

क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति।

एव त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना

गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते।।9.21।।

Transliteration

te taṁ bhuktvā swarga-lokaṁ viśhālaṁ

kṣhīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśhanti

evaṁ trayī-dharmam anuprapannā

gatāgataṁ kāma-kāmā labhante

Swami Sivananda's translation

They, having enjoyed the vast heaven, enter the world of mortals when their merit is exhausted; thus abiding by the injunctions of the three (Vedas) and desiring objects of desires, they attain to the state of coming and going.

Verse 22

Sanskrit Verse

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते।

तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्।।9.22।।

Transliteration

ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate

teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham

Swami Sivananda's translation

For those men who worship Me alone, thinking of no one else, for those ever-united, I secure what they have not already possessed and preserve what they already possess.

Verse 23

Sanskrit Verse

येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयाऽन्विताः।

तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम्।।9.23।।

Transliteration

ye ’pyanya-devatā-bhaktā yajante śhraddhayānvitāḥ

te ’pi mām eva kaunteya yajantyavidhi-pūrvakam

Swami Sivananda's translation

Even those devotees who, endowed with faith, worship other gods, worship Me alone, O Arjuna, but by the wrong method.

Verse 24

Sanskrit Verse

अहं हि सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्ता च प्रभुरेव च।

न तु मामभिजानन्ति तत्त्वेनातश्च्यवन्ति ते।।9.24।।

Transliteration

ahaṁ hi sarva-yajñānāṁ bhoktā cha prabhureva cha

na tu mām abhijānanti tattvenātaśh chyavanti te

Swami Sivananda's translation

For I alone am the enjoyer and Lord of all sacrifices; but they do not know Me in reality, and thus they return to this mortal world.

Verse 25

Sanskrit Verse

यान्ति देवव्रता देवान् पितृ़न्यान्ति पितृव्रताः।

भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम्।।9.25।।

Transliteration

yānti deva-vratā devān pitṝīn yānti pitṛi-vratāḥ

bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām

Swami Sivananda's translation

The worshippers of the gods go to them; the ancestor-worshippers go to the manes; the worshippers of the deities who preside over the elements go to them; but My devotees come to Me.

Verse 26

Sanskrit Verse

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति।

तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः।।9.26।।

Transliteration

patraṁ puṣhpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayachchhati

tadahaṁ bhaktyupahṛitam aśhnāmi prayatātmanaḥ

Swami Sivananda's translation

Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or a little water, that, so offered devotedly by the pure-minded, I accept.

Verse 27

Sanskrit Verse

यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्।

यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्।।9.27।।

Transliteration

yat karoṣhi yad aśhnāsi yaj juhoṣhi dadāsi yat

yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣhva mad-arpaṇam

Swami Sivananda's translation

Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give, whatever austerity you practice, O Arjuna, do it as an offering to Me.

See also: Commandments in Bhagavad Gita

Verse 28

Sanskrit Verse

शुभाशुभफलैरेवं मोक्ष्यसे कर्मबन्धनैः।

संन्यासयोगयुक्तात्मा विमुक्तो मामुपैष्यसि।।9.28।।

Transliteration

śhubhāśhubha-phalair evaṁ mokṣhyase karma-bandhanaiḥ

sannyāsa-yoga-yuktātmā vimukto mām upaiṣhyasi

Swami Sivananda's translation

Thus, you shall be freed from the bonds of actions yielding good and evil fruits; with the mind steadfast in the Yoga of renunciation, and liberated, you shall come to Me.

Verse 29

Sanskrit Verse

समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः।

ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम्।।9.29।।

Transliteration

samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣhu na me dveṣhyo ’sti na priyaḥ

ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā mayi te teṣhu chāpyaham

Swami Sivananda's translation

I am the same to all beings; there is none hateful or dear to Me; but those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am also in them.

Verse 30

Sanskrit Verse

अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्।

साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः।।9.30।।

Transliteration

api chet su-durāchāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk

sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ samyag vyavasito hi saḥ

Swami Sivananda's translation

Even if the most sinful worships Me, with devotion to no one else, he should indeed be regarded as righteous, for he has rightly resolved.

Verse 31

Sanskrit Verse

क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति।

कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति।।9.31।।

Transliteration

kṣhipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śhaśhvach-chhāntiṁ nigachchhati

kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati

Swami Sivananda's translation

Soon he becomes righteous and attains eternal peace; O Arjuna, proclaim thou for certain that My devotee never perishes.

See also: Commandments in Bhagavad Gita

Verse 32

Sanskrit Verse

मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः।

स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम्।।9.32।।

Transliteration

māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśhritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ

striyo vaiśhyās tathā śhūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim

Swami Sivananda's translation

For, taking refuge in Me, they who, O Arjuna, may be of a sinful birth—women, Vaisyas, and Sudras—attain the Supreme Goal.

Verse 33

Sanskrit Verse

किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणाः पुण्या भक्ता राजर्षयस्तथा।

अनित्यमसुखं लोकमिमं प्राप्य भजस्व माम्।।9.33।।

Transliteration

kiṁ punar brāhmaṇāḥ puṇyā bhaktā rājarṣhayas tathā

anityam asukhaṁ lokam imaṁ prāpya bhajasva mām

Swami Sivananda's translation

How much more easily, then, do Brahmins and devoted royal saints attain the goal? Having come to this impermanent and unhappy world, do thou worship Me.

See also: Commandments in Bhagavad Gita

Verse 34

Sanskrit Verse

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु।

मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः।।9.34।।

Transliteration

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru

mām evaiṣhyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ

Swami Sivananda's translation

Fix your mind on Me; be devoted to Me; sacrifice to Me; bow down to Me; having thus united your whole self to Me, taking Me as the supreme goal, you will come to Me.

See also: Commandments in Bhagavad Gita


Reference: Bhagavad Gita