Chapter 9: The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret

Krishna shares the most confidential knowledge: he pervades the entire universe yet is not bound by it. All beings rest in him as the wind rests in space. With simple devotion—a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water—anyone can reach him. He is equally disposed to all, yet his devotees are in him.

Verses (34)

9.1
श्री भगवानुवाच इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे। ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽश...

Master your craft through continuous learning and real-world application. This integrated knowledge frees you from poor decisions and regret.
9.2
राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम्। प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं सुसुखं कर्तुमव्ययम्।।9.2।।

Master your craft through consistent, righteous action. True knowledge compounds over time, requires no special conditions, and delivers lasting resul...
9.3
अश्रद्दधानाः पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप। अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि।।9.3।।

Ignoring your core values and purpose leads to endless cycles of struggle. Align decisions with your authentic principles to break free and achieve la...
9.4
मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना। मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि न चाहं तेष्ववस्थितः।।9.4।।

You are the container, not the contained. Lead by creating space for others' growth while maintaining your own independent vision and purpose.
9.5
न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्। भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः।।9.5।।

Leaders create systems and cultures that sustain others, yet remain independent—detached from outcomes while fully committed to purpose.
9.6
यथाऽऽकाशस्थितो नित्यं वायुः सर्वत्रगो महान्। तथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मत्स्थानीत्युपधारय।।9.6।।

Just as wind exists everywhere yet remains invisible, your influence as a leader permeates through systems and people far beyond what you directly see...
9.7
सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम्। कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम्।।9.7।।

Everything cycles. Leaders must adapt strategies to changing seasons, knowing what worked before will work again—patience and timing matter more than ...
9.8
प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः। भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात्।।9.8।।

Leaders create systems and cultures that shape behavior. Master your own nature first, then design environments where others can thrive despite their ...
9.9
न च मां तानि कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय। उदासीनवदासीनमसक्तं तेषु कर्मसु।।9.9।।

Detach from outcomes while fully engaging in your work. This freedom from anxiety about results enables clearer thinking and better decisions.
9.10
मयाऽध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम्। हेतुनाऽनेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते।।9.10।।

Everything operates within a larger system. Focus on your role within it, trust the process, and execute your responsibilities without obsessing over ...
9.11
अवजानन्ति मां मूढा मानुषीं तनुमाश्रितम्। परं भावमजानन्तो मम भूतमहेश्वरम्।।9.11।।

Focus on recognizing potential in unexpected places. True wisdom sees beyond surface appearances to understand deeper capabilities and value in people...
9.12
मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः। राक्षसीमासुरीं चैव प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं श्रिताः।।9.12।।

Unfounded assumptions and reckless actions without genuine understanding corrupt judgment, leading to poor decisions that harm yourself and others.
9.13
महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः। भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम्।।9.13।।

Focus your energy on understanding unchanging principles in your field, then commit fully to them. This clarity attracts excellence and builds lasting...
9.14
सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः। नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या नित्ययुक्ता उपासते।।9.14।।

Consistent commitment to your purpose, paired with focused effort and genuine dedication, builds unshakeable resolve and lasting success.
9.15
ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये यजन्तो मामुपासते। एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन बहुधा विश्वतोमुखम्।।9.15।।

Focus on your work with full commitment regardless of your approach or beliefs. Diverse paths and perspectives all lead to excellence when pursued wit...
9.16
अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाऽहमहमौषधम्। मंत्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम्।।9.16।।

You are the source, the process, and the outcome of your work. Master every element of your craft—from strategy to execution—and you become indispensa...
9.17
पिताऽहमस्य जगतो माता धाता पितामहः। वेद्यं पवित्रमोंकार ऋक् साम यजुरेव च।।9.17।।

You are the source of your organization's culture, values, and direction. Lead by embodying the principles you want others to follow, recognizing your...
9.18
गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत्। प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम्।।9.18।।

Your actions create results; stay grounded in purpose, serve others generously, and remember you're part of something larger than yourself.
9.19
तपाम्यहमहं वर्षं निगृह्णाम्युत्सृजामि च। अमृतं चैव मृत्युश्च सदसच्चाहमर्जुन।।9.19।।

Leaders shape outcomes through their choices: nurture growth, withhold resources strategically, and accept that creation and dissolution are both nece...
9.20
त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते। ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक ...

Pursue excellence through disciplined action and ethical practice; success and fulfillment naturally follow those who align their efforts with higher ...
9.21
ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति। एव त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना गतागतं...

Short-term rewards from following rules without deeper purpose create cycles of repetition. True progress requires moving beyond transactional thinkin...
9.22
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते। तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्।।9.22।।

When leaders align their values with purpose and stay committed to their mission, they naturally attract resources and opportunities needed for succes...
9.23
येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयाऽन्विताः। तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम्।।9.23।।

Everyone pursuing their goals with sincere effort ultimately contributes to a greater purpose, even if their methods differ from yours.
9.24
अहं हि सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्ता च प्रभुरेव च। न तु मामभिजानन्ति तत्त्वेनातश्च्यवन्ति ते।।9.24।।

Focus on understanding the deeper purpose behind your work, not just its surface rewards. Disconnection from meaning leads to failure.
9.25
यान्ति देवव्रता देवान् पितृ़न्यान्ति पितृव्रताः। भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम्।।9...

Your focus shapes your destination. Align your daily efforts with your highest aspirations, and you naturally become what you consistently pursue.
9.26
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति। तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः।।9.26।।

Sincere effort and pure intention matter more than grand gestures. Leaders who act with genuine commitment and integrity create meaningful impact, reg...
9.27
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्। यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्।।9.27।।

Dedicate your work's purpose to something greater than yourself—this transforms routine tasks into meaningful contribution and sustains motivation thr...
9.28
शुभाशुभफलैरेवं मोक्ष्यसे कर्मबन्धनैः। संन्यासयोगयुक्तात्मा विमुक्तो मामुपैष्यसि।।9.28।।

Focus on your work's purpose rather than obsessing over outcomes. This detachment from results liberates you to lead authentically and effectively.
9.29
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः। ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम्।।9.29।...

Focus your energy on those committed to your shared mission. Mutual dedication creates stronger bonds than impartial distance ever could.
9.30
अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्। साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः।।9.30।।

Commitment to growth matters more than past mistakes. A leader's sincere dedication to improvement defines their character, not their history.
9.31
क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति। कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति।।9.31।।

Commit fully to your principles and purpose—this integrity protects you from failure and brings lasting peace amid life's challenges.
9.32
मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः। स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम...

Anyone, regardless of background or past mistakes, can achieve excellence by committing fully to their purpose and values.
9.33
किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणाः पुण्या भक्ता राजर्षयस्तथा। अनित्यमसुखं लोकमिमं प्राप्य भजस्व माम्।।9.33।।

Even the wisest recognize life's impermanence and uncertainty. True strength lies in focusing on enduring principles rather than chasing fleeting exte...
9.34
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु। मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः।।9.34।।

Focus your mind on a clear purpose, commit fully to it, and align all actions toward that goal. This unwavering concentration transforms scattered eff...