Gita for Life · Questions of practice
What does the Gita say about devotion?
4 passages of the Gita on this question. Each shows what the verse says, why it belongs here, and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s explanation.
In short
Bhakti is not a ritual for special people; it is loving service to Kṛṣṇa, the natural activity of every soul. It begins simply, with what you have and what you already do, offered to Him with love.
Kṛṣṇa does not need your gifts. He wants your love.
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Everyone serves; bhakti is serving Kṛṣṇa with love
śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ Bhagavad-gītā 6.47
What the verse says
Of all yogīs, the one who always abides in Kṛṣṇa with great faith, worshiping Him in transcendental loving service, “is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.”
Read 6.47 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
And of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the word bhajate means service with love and faith, which is meant especially for the Supreme Lord. Every soul is part of Kṛṣṇa and is meant by its very nature to serve Him; failing to do so, it falls from its real position.
“Every living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and thus every living entity is intended to serve the Supreme Lord by his own constitution.”
Lesson
We are all already serving someone: family, employer, our own mind and desires. Bhakti does not ask us to start serving; it asks us to serve, with love, the One we naturally belong to.
Example
A man who works all day for his family, his boss and his reputation is already serving. Bhakti simply turns that same serving spirit towards Kṛṣṇa, with love.
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Bhakti is joyful, and open to everyone
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam Bhagavad-gītā 9.2
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa calls the knowledge He is giving the king of education, the most secret of all secrets and the purest knowledge. It gives direct perception of the self, it is the perfection of religion, it is everlasting, and it is “joyfully performed.”
Read 9.2 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda says the results of devotional service can be directly perceived: anyone who chants the holy names of Kṛṣṇa in time feels transcendental pleasure and is quickly purified. This progress does not depend on previous education or qualification; the process itself is so pure that engaging in it makes one pure.
“This advancement in spiritual life does not depend on any kind of previous education or qualification.”
Lesson
You do not need to be a scholar, a priest or a renunciate to begin. Bhakti starts where you are, and it is meant to be a joy, not a burden.
Example
A grandmother who never went to school, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa with a smile while she cooks, is as qualified to begin bhakti as any professor.
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Kṛṣṇa looks at the love, not the price
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ Bhagavad-gītā 9.26
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa says that if one offers Him with love and devotion “a leaf, a flower, fruit or water,” He will accept it.
Read 9.26 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes preparing simple vegetarian dishes, offering them before Kṛṣṇa’s picture or Deity, bowing down and praying that He accept them. Kṛṣṇa needs nothing, yet He accepts the offering of one who wants to please Him; what matters most is love.
“Above all, the offering should be made with an attitude of love.”
Lesson
Kṛṣṇa is not impressed by the size of a gift but by the love in it. Start small: offer your food, a flower or a glass of water, with attention and gratitude.
Example
A child gives his mother a crooked drawing, and she keeps it for years. Its value is in the love, not in the art.
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Offer your whole day to Kṛṣṇa
tat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam Bhagavad-gītā 9.27
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa asks that all we do, all we eat, all we offer and give away, and every austerity we perform, be done “as an offering unto Me.”
Read 9.27 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
O son of Kuntī, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that everyone has to work, eat, perform some religious duties and give in charity anyway; Kṛṣṇa asks us to do all of these for Him, so that our whole life is shaped around remembering Him.
“it is the duty of everyone to mold his life in such a way that he will not forget Kṛṣṇa in any circumstance.”
Lesson
Devotion is not one hour in the puja room and the rest of the day for ourselves. The ordinary things we already do become bhakti when we do them for Kṛṣṇa.
Example
Before opening his shop, a shopkeeper bows to Kṛṣṇa’s picture and thinks: “Today I will work honestly, for You.” His shop becomes his place of service.
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Hear and chant about Kṛṣṇa
satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ Bhagavad-gītā 9.14
What the verse says
The great souls are always chanting Kṛṣṇa’s glories, endeavouring with great determination and bowing down before Him; in this way they worship Him with devotion at all times.
Read 9.14 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the great soul is always engaged in hearing and chanting about Viṣṇu, not about a demigod or a human being, and in remembering Him. He engages all his activities, mental, bodily and vocal, in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
“That is devotion: śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ, smaraṇam, and remembering Him.”
Lesson
Hearing and chanting are the heart of bhakti. Give them a fixed time every day, even a short one, and protect that time with determination.
Example
A student chants a few rounds of Hare Kṛṣṇa on his beads before opening his books, and listens to a Gītā class on the bus. Small, steady habits keep Kṛṣṇa in his mind.
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Think of Kṛṣṇa with love
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto Bhagavad-gītā 9.34
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa asks us to engage the mind always in thinking of Him, to offer obeisances and to worship Him. Being completely absorbed in Him, “surely you will come to Me.”
Read 9.34 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Kaṁsa also thought of Kṛṣṇa all the time, but as an enemy and in anxiety; that kind of thinking does not help. Bhakti is to think of Kṛṣṇa with love, and to learn about Him from a bona fide teacher.
“One should be thinking of Kṛṣṇa in devotional love. That is bhakti.”
Lesson
Thinking about God is not enough; how we think of Him matters. Let your remembrance of Kṛṣṇa be loving, and learn who He is from an authentic source.
Example
At the temple, as you fold your hands before the Deity, see Him as a dear friend you have come to visit, not only as an office where you submit requests.
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If you fall, get up; do not give up bhakti
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ Bhagavad-gītā 9.30
What the verse says
Even if someone engaged in devotional service commits the most abominable action, he is to be considered saintly, because he is properly situated. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace, and Kṛṣṇa declares that His devotee never perishes 9.31.
Read 9.30 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that an accidental fall does not make a devotee abominable, just as a spot on the moon does not stop its light. But he warns that no one should take advantage of this verse: if devotional service does not improve one’s character, one is not a high devotee.
“The mark of a spot which may be seen on the moon does not become an impediment to the moonlight.”
Lesson
When you slip, do not give up bhakti in shame. Get up, keep chanting and keep trying to improve, and never use Kṛṣṇa’s mercy as an excuse to be careless.
Example
A student who misses his morning chanting for three days in exam week does not throw away his beads. On the fourth day he simply starts again.
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Undivided devotion reveals Kṛṣṇa as He is
bhaktyā tv ananyayā śakya Bhagavad-gītā 11.54
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa says that only by undivided devotional service can He be understood as He is, standing before Arjuna, and be seen directly; only in this way can one enter into the mysteries of His understanding.
Read 11.54 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is revealed to one who has unflinching devotion and is guided by the spiritual master. Without personal training from a bona fide spiritual master it is impossible even to begin to understand Kṛṣṇa, and the word tu shows that no other process can succeed.
“One who has unflinching devotion for the Supreme Lord and is directed by the spiritual master can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead by revelation.”
Lesson
Bhakti is not one road among many to Kṛṣṇa; it is the way He reveals Himself. Keep your devotion undivided, and let Kṛṣṇa Himself, not only His gifts, be the goal.
Example
You can read every book about a person and still not know him; you know him when he opens his heart to you. Kṛṣṇa opens His heart to those who love Him.
Offer your day: five practices from Śrīla Prabhupāda
In the purport to 9.27, Śrīla Prabhupāda shows how the things everyone does anyway can be offered to Kṛṣṇa:
- Work: do your daily work for Kṛṣṇa.
- Eating: honour food first offered to Kṛṣṇa (prasādam).
- Worship: perform your religious duties for Him (arcanā).
- Charity: give for Kṛṣṇa’s service, to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Meditation: chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra on your beads.
“if anyone practices meditating on Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra round his beads, he is surely the greatest yogī”
Bhakti: common doubts and the Gītā’s answers
| What we often think | What the Gītā teaches | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| “I serve God so that He gives me things.” | “I serve Kṛṣṇa because I am His.” | 6.47 |
| “Bhakti is for scholars and saints.” | “Anyone can begin today, and it is a joy.” | 9.2 |
| “I must offer something big.” | “A leaf, a flower, fruit or water, given with love, is enough.” | 9.26 |
| “Religion belongs in the puja room.” | “My work, meals and charity can all be offered to Kṛṣṇa.” | 9.27 |
| “I’ll chant when I find time.” | “I keep a fixed time for hearing and chanting.” | 9.14 |
| “Thinking of God in any way is enough.” | “I think of Kṛṣṇa with love, and learn about Him from a genuine teacher.” | 9.34 |
| “I failed, so bhakti is not for me.” | “I get up, keep chanting and keep improving.” | 9.30 |
Our reflections, each based on the verse named beside it.
Ask yourself
- Do I think bhakti is only for special people, or do I see that I can begin today?
- What could I offer Kṛṣṇa today, with love, from what I already have?
- Which ordinary part of my day (work, meals, money) could I start offering to Kṛṣṇa?
- Do I have a fixed time every day for hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa?
- When I fall short, do I give up, or do I get up and continue?
The essence
Bhakti is simply loving service to Kṛṣṇa: offering Him what we have and what we do, hearing and chanting about Him, and remembering Him with love. Anyone can begin today, with a leaf, a flower, fruit or water.
The headings, explanations, lessons, examples, table and questions are ours, written to help you apply the verses. The Sanskrit lines, the verse translations and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s quoted words are from Bhagavad-gītā As It Is as published on vedabase.cc, unaltered.
All the verses for this topic
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Bhagavad-gītā 9.26
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
Why this verse is here
Kṛṣṇa is pleased to accept even a leaf, a flower, little water or fruit offered in genuine love and devotion. (9.26 patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ...)
From the thematic compilation Bhakti, the Topmost Yoga
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 9.26
Here Lord Kṛṣṇa, having established that He is the only enjoyer, the primeval Lord, and the real object of all sacrificial offerings, reveals what types of sacrifices He desires to be offered. If one wishes to engage in devotional service to the Supreme in order to be purified and to reach the goal of life—the transcendental loving service of God—then he should find out what the Lord desires of him. One who loves Kṛṣṇa will give Him whatever He wants, and he avoids offering anything which is undesirable or unasked for. Thus, meat, fish and eggs should not be offered to Kṛṣṇa. If He desired such things as offerings, He would have said so. Instead He clearly requests that a leaf, fruit, flowers and water be given to Him, and He says of this offering, "I will accept it." Therefore, we should understand that He will not accept meat, fish and eggs. …
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Bhagavad-gītā 9.34
Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.
Why this verse is here
Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee (9.34 man-manā bhava mad-bhakto...)
From the thematic compilation Bhakti, the Topmost Yoga
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 9.34
In this verse it is clearly indicated that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the only means of being delivered from the clutches of this contaminated material world. Sometimes unscrupulous commentators distort the meaning of what is clearly stated here: that all devotional service should be offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Unfortunately, unscrupulous commentators divert the mind of the reader to that which is not at all feasible. Such commentators do not know that there is no difference between Kṛṣṇa's mind and Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is not an ordinary human being; He is Absolute Truth. His body, mind and He Himself are one and absolute. …
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Bhagavad-gītā 6.47
And of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.
Why this verse is here
Bhakti-yogī is the best of all yogis. (6.47 yoginām api sarveṣāṁ...)
From the thematic compilation Bhakti, the Topmost Yoga
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 6.47
Bhaktir asya bhajanaṁ tadihāmutropādhi nairāsyenāmuṣmin manaḥ kalpanam; etad eva naiṣkarmyam. "Bhakti means devotional service to the Lord which is free from desire for material profit, either in this life or in the next. Devoid of such inclinations, one should fully absorb the mind in the Supreme. That is the purpose of naiṣkarmya."
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Bhagavad-gītā 11.54
My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding.
Why this verse is here
Only by undivided bhakti can one understand Kṛṣṇa as He is, and can thus see Him directly. (11.54 bhaktyā tv ananyayā śakya...)
From the thematic compilation Bhakti, the Topmost Yoga
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 11.54
Kṛṣṇa can be understood only by the process of undivided devotional service. He explicitly explains this in this verse so unauthorized commentators, who try to understand Bhagavad-gītā by the speculative process, will know that they are simply wasting their time. No one can understand Kṛṣṇa or how He came from parents in a four-handed form and at once changed Himself into a two-handed form. It is clearly stated here that no one can see Him. Those who, however, are very experienced students of Vedic literature can learn about Him from the Vedic literature in so many ways. There are so many rules and regulations, and if one at all wants to understand Kṛṣṇa, he must follow the regulative principles described in the authoritative literature. One can perform penance in accordance with those principles. …
Everyday questions answered by these verses
Each verse is linked to this topic by a statement in our primary study source, shown under “Why this verse is here”. The verses and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words are quoted from Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, unaltered.