Chapter 9Verse 15 of 34

Bhagavad Gita 9.15

ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये यजन्तो मामुपासते | एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन बहुधा विश्वतोमुखम् ||

jñāna-yajñena cāpy anye yajanto mām upāsate | ekatvena pṛthaktvena bahudhā viśvato-mukham ||

Translation

Others worship me by the sacrifice of knowledge, as one and as separate, in many ways, present everywhere.

A second mode. Some worship by the sacrifice of knowledge, perceiving Krishna as one, as distinct, as manifold, as facing in every direction. The earlier verse named the devotional path; this one names the wisdom path; both are received as worship. The pluralism is real. The same source can be addressed under the heading of oneness or under the heading of plurality or under the heading of universality, and the addressing reaches the same place. Krishna is not requiring a single doctrinal frame. He is naming Himself as the recipient under each frame correctly held. The verse is one of the chapter's quiet breadths, allowing room for the temperaments that come at the same source through different doors.

Reflection

Which frame for the source most fits your temperament?

Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter Nine

Ask the Gita about this verse →