The story · At the Rājasūya Kṛṣṇa receives supreme honour yet chooses humble service.
Background only: the Gītā verses below mention the people involved, but don't tell this story themselves.
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Chapter9
Rāja-vidyā-rāja-guhya-yoga · 34 verses
The Most Confidential Knowledge
Loving devotion to Kṛṣṇa brings His protection and leads to Him.
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Verse notes
Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.
BG 9.1The Most Confidential Knowledge
Study this verse- Because Arjuna is not envious of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa offers him the most confidential knowledge and realization, which free one from material suffering.
- Prabhupāda explains that this knowledge is pure devotional service. Its practices, such as hearing and chanting, purify the heart and help one understand Kṛṣṇa.
- Hear and discuss Kṛṣṇa with devotees, and sincerely try to understand what you hear to advance spiritually.
BG 9.2The King of Education
Study this verse- This knowledge is the highest education and deepest secret. It is pure, everlasting, and joyful to practice, giving direct realization of the self.
- Prabhupāda explains that this knowledge reaches its highest point in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, which gradually removes all sinful reactions.
- Chant Kṛṣṇa’s holy names without offenses. The purport explains that this brings spiritual joy and purification.
BG 9.3Faith in Devotional Service
Study this verse- Those without faith in devotional service cannot reach Kṛṣṇa and return to birth and death in this material world.
- Prabhupāda explains that real faith means being fully convinced that serving Kṛṣṇa alone brings all perfection.
- Spend time with devotees to develop faith and become steady in serving Kṛṣṇa.
BG 9.4Kṛṣṇa Is Everywhere
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa pervades the whole universe in His unmanifested form. All beings are in Him, but He is not in them.
- Prabhupāda explains that everything rests on Kṛṣṇa’s energies, yet Kṛṣṇa remains a distinct person, apart from His creation.
- Engage in pure devotional service under proper guidance. Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself through devotion, not through material senses.
BG 9.5Kṛṣṇa’s Mystic Power
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is everywhere and maintains all living beings, yet He is not part of creation. He is its source.
- Prabhupāda explains that everything rests on Kṛṣṇa’s energy, while He remains separate. His will alone creates, maintains and destroys everything.
- Do not think that supporting the universe makes Kṛṣṇa tired. His power is beyond our understanding.
BG 9.6All Beings Rest in God
Study this verse- As the mighty wind always stays within the sky, all created beings rest in the Lord.
- Prabhupāda explains that everything is created, maintained, and destroyed by God's will, yet He remains apart from it all.
- When you notice the wind blowing, remember that even its movement is under the Lord's control.
BG 9.7Creation Depends on the Lord
Study this verse- At the end of a millennium, all material manifestations enter the Lord’s nature. By His power, He creates them again.
- Prabhupāda explains that creation, maintenance and destruction depend completely on the Supreme Lord’s will.
- Remember that the material world depends on the Lord’s power and will.
BG 9.8Creation Under the Lord’s Will
Study this verse- The whole universe is under the Lord’s control, repeatedly created and destroyed by His will.
- Prabhupāda explains that the material world is the Lord’s inferior energy, and He enters everything—even each atom.
- Creation allows living beings to follow their desires, but the Lord does not become involved in their activities.
BG 9.9The Lord Remains Detached
Study this verse- The Lord says that material work cannot bind Him. He remains detached, as though neutral.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Lord controls material activities through His potencies while always enjoying eternal, blissful spiritual activities.
- Do not mistake the Lord’s detachment for inactivity. He is always active in His spiritual world.
BG 9.10Nature Works Under Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Material nature is Kṛṣṇa’s energy. Under His direction, it produces all beings, and the world is repeatedly created and destroyed.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa activates nature by His glance but remains detached. Living beings receive bodies according to their past deeds and desires.
- Remember that material nature cannot act without Kṛṣṇa’s direction.
BG 9.11Kṛṣṇa Is the Supreme Lord
Study this verse- Fools mock Kṛṣṇa when He appears in human form, not knowing His nature as the Supreme Lord of all.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is no ordinary man: His body is nonmaterial, eternal, blissful and full of knowledge.
- Accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Lord, surrender to Him and serve Him with devotion.
BG 9.12Delusion Defeats Spiritual Hopes
Study this verse- Those drawn to demonic and atheistic views find their hopes for liberation, work for rewards, and pursuit of knowledge defeated.
- Prabhupāda explains that even supposed devotees cannot return to Godhead if they do not truly accept Kṛṣṇa as the Absolute Truth.
- Accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not as an ordinary human being.
BG 9.13Great Souls Serve Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Great souls are protected by divine nature and fully serve Kṛṣṇa, knowing Him as the original, inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Prabhupāda explains that surrender to Kṛṣṇa frees one from material nature’s control and brings one under spiritual guidance.
- Associate with pure devotees and keep your attention on serving Kṛṣṇa steadily.
BG 9.14Great Souls Worship Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Great souls always chant Kṛṣṇa’s glories, bow before Him, and worship Him with firm determination and devotion.
- Prabhupāda explains that a great soul is known by devotional service, not a title, and is attached to Kṛṣṇa as a person.
- Use your mind, body, and words to serve Kṛṣṇa by hearing, chanting, and remembering Him.
BG 9.15Different Ways of Worship
Study this verse- Through the sacrifice of cultivating knowledge, some worship the Supreme Lord as one, as many, or in His universal form.
- Prabhupāda explains that these include worshiping oneself as God, imagining forms of God, and worshiping the universe. Worshiping oneself as God is the lowest.
- Aim for pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, like the mahātmās who know nothing other than Kṛṣṇa.
BG 9.16Kṛṣṇa Is the Sacrifice
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says He is the ritual, sacrifice, offering to ancestors, healing herb, sacred chant, butter, fire, and offering.
- Prabhupāda explains that Vedic sacrifices in their entirety are Kṛṣṇa. Even the fire is His separated energy.
- Serve Kṛṣṇa with devotion: those who do so are understood to have performed all the sacrifices recommended in the Vedas.
BG 9.17The Vedas Point to Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is the universe’s father, mother, support and grandfather. He is the object of knowledge, the purifier, oṁ and the Vedas.
- Prabhupāda explains that all living beings, including our relatives, are parts of Kṛṣṇa, and all the Vedas aim toward Him.
- Study the Vedas with the aim of understanding Kṛṣṇa.
BG 9.18Kṛṣṇa, Our Goal and Shelter
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is the goal, sustainer, master, witness, shelter and dearest friend. He is the source, end and eternal basis of everything.
- Prabhupāda explains that everything depends on Kṛṣṇa’s energy. Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal and the witness in everyone’s heart.
- Approach Kṛṣṇa directly and take shelter of Him for protection and relief from distress.
BG 9.19Kṛṣṇa in Everything
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa gives heat, withholds and sends rain, and is both immortality and death. Spirit and matter are in Him.
- Prabhupāda explains that these are Kṛṣṇa’s different energies. For Kṛṣṇa, there is no distinction between matter and spirit.
- Reflect on these energies to understand how one advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness sees only Kṛṣṇa in everything.
BG 9.20The Goal of Vedic Study
Study this verse- Those who study the Vedas and drink soma seeking heaven worship Kṛṣṇa indirectly. Freed from sinful reactions, they reach Indra’s heavenly planet and enjoy godly delights.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal of Vedic study. True students take shelter of Him and serve Him with pure devotion.
- Begin devotional service by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and trying to understand Kṛṣṇa in truth.
BG 9.21Heavenly Pleasure Does Not Last
Study this verse- Those seeking heavenly pleasure through the three Vedas return to earth when their pious rewards run out, facing repeated birth and death.
- Prabhupāda explains that without understanding Kṛṣṇa, the cause of all causes, one keeps moving between higher and lower planets.
- Aim for the spiritual world, where life is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge, with no return to material suffering.
BG 9.22Kṛṣṇa Provides and Protects
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa supplies what is lacking and preserves what is already there for those who always worship Him alone and meditate on His transcendental form.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa helps the devotee reach full Kṛṣṇa consciousness and protects him from falling back into miserable material life.
- Practice remembering Kṛṣṇa through hearing, chanting, offering prayers, and serving Him.
BG 9.23Worship the Supreme Lord
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says that those who faithfully worship other gods worship Him indirectly, but in a wrong way.
- Prabhupāda explains that worshiping demigods is like watering a tree’s leaves and branches instead of its root.
- Offer worship to the Supreme Lord only. This automatically satisfies the demigods, who are His representatives.
BG 9.24All Sacrifices Are for Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is the only enjoyer and master of all sacrifices. Those who do not recognize His true spiritual nature fall down.
- Prabhupāda explains that all sacrifices are meant to satisfy the Supreme Lord. Worshiping demigods for temporary benefits keeps one in material existence.
- Work to satisfy the Supreme Lord. If you have material desires, pray to Him, while understanding that this is not pure devotion.
BG 9.25Worship Determines Your Destination
Study this verse- Worshipers go to those they worship: demigods, ancestors, ghosts and spirits, or Kṛṣṇa Himself.
- Prabhupāda explains that pure devotees who worship only the Supreme Lord surely reach Vaikuṇṭha or Kṛṣṇaloka.
- Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra to become perfect in this life and go back home, back to Godhead.
BG 9.26Offering with Love
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa accepts a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water offered with love and devotion.
- Prabhupāda explains that devotion is the only way to approach Kṛṣṇa; wealth or learning cannot replace it.
- Offer Kṛṣṇa something He requests, such as fruit or water, with a sincere desire to please Him.
BG 9.27Offer Everything to Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa asks us to offer Him whatever we do, eat, give away, or perform as austerity.
- Prabhupāda explains that we should shape our lives so we never forget Kṛṣṇa and work for Him.
- In daily life, eat food first offered to Kṛṣṇa and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra to remember Him.
BG 9.28Work as Service to Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- With your mind fixed on Kṛṣṇa, you become free from work’s bondage and its good and bad results, and return to Him.
- Prabhupāda explains that true renunciation means acting and giving the results to Kṛṣṇa. Liberation means joining the Lord in His abode, not merging into His light.
- Perform your work as service to Kṛṣṇa, offering Him the results and thinking about how to serve Him.
BG 9.29Equal to All, Close to Devotees
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is equal to everyone, yet whoever serves Him with devotion is in Him and shares His friendship.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa’s special care for devotees is natural, loving mercy—not discrimination or a result of karma.
- Serve Kṛṣṇa with devotion, knowing that He responds personally to your surrender.
BG 9.30Determination in Devotional Service
Study this verse- Even if someone commits a terrible act, one firmly determined in devotional service is to be considered saintly.
- Prabhupāda explains that this means an accidental fall, not permission to do wrong. Kṛṣṇa purifies those wholeheartedly serving Him.
- Do not mock a devotee for an accidental fall, or use this verse to excuse deliberate wrongdoing.
BG 9.31The Lord’s Devotee Never Perishes
Study this verse- The devotee quickly becomes righteous and gains lasting peace. The Lord boldly assures that His devotee never perishes.
- Prabhupāda explains that devotional service and constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord cleanse sinful contamination from the heart.
- Continue chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa without stopping; this protects a devotee from accidental falldowns.
BG 9.32Shelter in Kṛṣṇa Is Open
Study this verse- Those who take shelter in Kṛṣṇa—including women, merchants, workers, and those of lower birth—can reach the supreme destination.
- Prabhupāda explains that devotional service has no higher or lower classes; a pure devotee’s guidance can purify anyone.
- Take complete shelter of Kṛṣṇa and seek a pure devotee’s guidance in devotional service.
BG 9.33Loving Service to the Lord
Study this verse- The Lord says to serve Him with love, having come to this temporary, miserable world.
- Prabhupāda explains that this world is temporary, not false. The other world is eternal and blissful.
- Take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the only way to solve everyone’s problems.
BG 9.34Think of Kṛṣṇa with Love
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says to always think of Him, become His devotee, bow to Him and worship Him. Fully absorbed in Him, you will surely reach Him.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the only way to be freed from the material world. Thinking of Kṛṣṇa must be done with devotional love.
- Hear and chant about Kṛṣṇa, learn from a genuine teacher, and engage your mind, body and activities in His service.
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Stories
The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.