Chapter 6Verse 31 of 47

Bhagavad Gita 6.31

सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः | सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते ||

sarva-bhūta-sthitaṁ yo māṁ bhajaty ekatvam āsthitaḥ | sarvathā vartamāno 'pi sa yogī mayi vartate ||

Translation

The devotee, who being intent on unity worships me as abiding in all things, dwells in me, whatever his mode of life.

The qualifier at the end is the part that frees the verse from any narrow reading. Whatever his way of life. He may be a householder or a wanderer, a soldier or a clerk. None of the outer markers settle the question. What settles it is whether he stands on the fact of oneness and worships Krishna seen in every being. If that orientation is in place, the man is already dwelling in Krishna, no matter what the day looks like from outside. The whole chapter has been building toward this generosity. The forest is not required. The seat is internal. The dwelling is portable.

Reflection

What outer life had you decided would have to change before the inner dwelling could begin?

Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter Six

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