Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 9 · Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 9.30 अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्

Sri Krishna Chapter 9, Verse 30 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 9.30

अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक् ।
साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः ॥

api cetsudurācāro bhajate māmananyabhāk |
sādhureva sa mantavyaḥ samyagvyavasito hi saḥ ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

यदि कोई अत्यंत दुराचारी भी अनन्य भाव से मुझे भजता है, तो उसे साधु ही मानना चाहिए, क्योंकि उसने सही निश्चय कर लिया है।

Meaning in English

Even if a person of very wicked conduct worships me with undivided devotion, he should be regarded as good, for he has made the right resolve.

Bhagavad Gita 9.30 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
अपि चेत्api ceteven if
सुदुराचारःsu-durācāraḥa person of very bad conduct
भजतेbhajateworships
माम्māmme
अनन्यभाक्ananya-bhākwith undivided devotion
साधुः एवsādhuḥ evaas righteous indeed
सःsaḥhe
मन्तव्यःmantavyaḥshould be regarded
सम्यक्samyakrightly
व्यवसितःvyavasitaḥresolved
हि सःhi saḥfor he

Explanation

Even if a person of very wicked conduct worships me with undivided devotion, he should be regarded as good, for he has made the right resolve. What matters is the direction a life has taken now, not only what it was before.

This is one of the Gita's most hopeful verses. Krishna says that past conduct does not disqualify anyone: a sinner who turns wholeheartedly to God is to be counted among the good, because the direction of his life has changed. Shankara stresses the strength of the new resolve. Ramanuja says devotion is so great that it outweighs even serious faults. Hindu tradition loves stories of such turning, like Valmiki, said to have been a robber before becoming the poet of the Ramayana. The verse is not permission to do wrong, as the next verse shows.

भावार्थ

यदि कोई अत्यन्त दुराचारी भी अनन्य भाव से मेरा भजन करता है, तो उसे साधु ही मानना चाहिए, क्योंकि उसने भली-भाँति सही निश्चय कर लिया है। महत्त्व इस बात का है कि अब उसका जीवन किस ओर मुड़ गया है।

Living it today

It is never too late to change direction. Judge yourself and others by the sincere resolve of today, not only by yesterday's mistakes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 9.30?

Even if a person of very wicked conduct worships me with undivided devotion, he should be regarded as good, for he has made the right resolve. What matters is the direction a life has taken now, not only what it was before.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.30?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 9 (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 9.30 in daily life?

It is never too late to change direction. Judge yourself and others by the sincere resolve of today, not only by yesterday's mistakes.

Reflected on verse 9.30?

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