Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge · 34 verses

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Bhakti & surrenderChapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge
9.299.31

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 9.30

Loving offerings, service and remembrance

अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक् ।

साधुरेव स मन्तव्य: सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि स: ॥ ३० ॥

api cet su-durācāro

bhajate mām ananya-bhāk

sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ

samyag vyavasito hi saḥ

Translation

Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Determination in Devotional Service

  1. 1Even if someone commits a terrible act, one firmly determined in devotional service is to be considered saintly.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that this means an accidental fall, not permission to do wrong. Kṛṣṇa purifies those wholeheartedly serving Him.
  3. 3Do not mock a devotee for an accidental fall, or use this verse to excuse deliberate wrongdoing.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 9, The Most Confidential Knowledge: loving offerings, service and remembrance.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 9.30 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 9.26A small offering filled with loveBG 9.27Loving offerings, service and remembranceBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 9.30 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.