Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 7 · Jnana Vijnana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 7.21 यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः
श्लोक 7.21
यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति ।
तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् ॥
yo yo yāṃ yāṃ tanuṃ bhaktaḥ śraddhayārcitumicchati |
tasya tasyācalāṃ śraddhāṃ tāmeva vidadhāmyaham ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो भी भक्त जिस भी रूप की श्रद्धा से पूजा करना चाहता है, मैं उसकी उसी श्रद्धा को अटल बना देता हूँ।
Meaning in English
Whatever form a devotee wishes to worship with faith, I make that very faith of his firm and steady.
Bhagavad Gita 7.21 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यः यः | yaḥ yaḥ | whoever |
| याम् याम् | yām yām | whichever |
| तनुम् | tanum | form |
| भक्तः | bhaktaḥ | devotee |
| श्रद्धया | śraddhayā | with faith |
| अर्चितुम् | arcitum | to worship |
| इच्छति | icchati | wishes |
| तस्य तस्य | tasya tasya | of that very one |
| अचलाम् | acalām | steady |
| श्रद्धाम् | śraddhām | faith |
| ताम् एव | tām eva | that very |
| विदधामि | vidadhāmi | make |
| अहम् | aham | I |
Explanation
Whatever form any devotee wishes to worship with faith, I make that devotee's faith in that very form steady. The Divine supports sincere faith wherever it is directed, rather than demanding one particular form. Sincere faith is honoured in every form.
This is one of the Gita's most generous verses. Shankara explains that the Lord, as inner controller, strengthens the faith people already have, in line with their past tendencies. Ramanuja stresses that all deities are the Lord's body, so the Lord himself grants faith in them. The verse is often cited as an expression of the Hindu acceptance of many forms of worship, though Krishna goes on in 7.23 to say that the results of such worship differ.
भावार्थ
जो-जो भक्त जिस-जिस देवता के स्वरूप को श्रद्धा से पूजना चाहता है, उस-उस भक्त की श्रद्धा को मैं उसी देवता में स्थिर कर देता हूँ। सच्ची श्रद्धा का आदर हर रूप में होता है।
Living it today
Respect the faith of others even when it takes a form unlike yours; the same Divine may be steadying them in their way.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 7.21?
Whatever form any devotee wishes to worship with faith, I make that devotee's faith in that very form steady. The Divine supports sincere faith wherever it is directed, rather than demanding one particular form. Sincere faith is honoured in every form.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 7.21?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 7 (Jnana Vijnana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 7.21 in daily life?
Respect the faith of others even when it takes a form unlike yours; the same Divine may be steadying them in their way.
Reflected on verse 7.21?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.