The ninth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, titled rājavidyārājaguhyayōgaḥ - the yōga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret - unfolds on the battlefield of kurukṣētra, where the fate of the pāṇḍavāḥ and kauravāḥ hangs in the balance. Here, amidst the roar of conch shells and the tension of impending war, śrīkṛṣṇa continues his profound dialogue with arjuna.
In the previous chapter, śrīkṛṣṇa answered arjuna's questions about Brahman, the inner Self, action, the cosmic principles, remembrance at the time of death, and the imperishable goal. arjuna listened as the teaching moved from metaphysical definitions to the practical discipline of remembering the Divine with steadiness.
Looking ahead, the next chapter will unfold vibhūtiyōgaḥ, where śrīkṛṣṇa describes the divine glories and manifestations through which the sacred can be recognized in the world. But here, in Chapter 9, the focus is on the transformative power of faith and the promise that turning toward the divine with sincerity can lead to peace and fulfillment.
ōṃ śrīparamātmanē namaḥ
atha navamō'dhyāyaḥ
rājavidyārājaguhyayōgaḥ
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Salutations to the Supreme Self. Now begins the ninth chapter, called the Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret.
śrī bhagavānuvācha
idaṃ tu tē guhyatamaṃ pravakṣyāmyanasūyavē ।
jñānaṃ vijñānasahitaṃ yajjñātvā mōkṣyasē'śubhāt॥1॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
The Blessed Lord said: I will now reveal to you, who are free from criticism, this most profound secret-knowledge combined with direct realization. By understanding this, you will be released from all negativity and misfortune.
rājavidyā rājaguhyaṃ pavitramidamuttamam ।
pratyakṣāvagamaṃ dharmyaṃ susukhaṃ kartumavyayam ॥2॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
This is the supreme science and the greatest secret, the highest purifier. It can be directly realized, is fully aligned with righteousness, is easy and joyful to practice, and is everlasting.
aśraddadhānāḥ puruṣāḥ dharmasyāsya parantapa ।
aprāpya māṃ nivartantē mṛtyusaṃsāravartmani ॥3॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who lack faith in this teaching, Arjuna, do not reach Me. Instead, they return again and again along the path of mortal existence, caught in the cycle of birth and death.
mayā tatamidaṃ sarvaṃ jagadavyaktamūrtinā ।
matsthāni sarvabhūtāni na chāhaṃ tēṣvavasthitaḥ ॥4॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
This entire universe is pervaded by Me in My unmanifest aspect. All living beings exist within Me, but I am not contained within them.
na cha matsthāni bhūtāni paśya mē yōgamaiśvaram ।
bhūtabhṛnna cha bhūtasthaḥ mamātmā bhūtabhāvanaḥ ॥5॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Yet beings do not truly reside in Me. Witness My extraordinary divine power: although I uphold and generate all beings, My own Self is not contained within them nor do I depend on them in any way.
yathā''kāśasthitō nityaṃ vāyuḥ sarvatragō mahān ।
tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni matsthānītyupadhāraya ॥6॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Just as the powerful wind, which moves everywhere, always remains within space, in the same way, understand that all living beings exist within Me.
sarvabhūtāni kauntēya prakṛtiṃ yānti māmikām ।
kalpakṣayē punastāni kalpādau visṛjāmyaham ॥7॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, at the end of each cosmic cycle, all beings merge into My own nature. When a new cycle begins, I send them forth again into existence.
prakṛtiṃ svāmavaṣṭabhya visṛjāmi punaḥ punaḥ ।
bhūtagrāmamimaṃ kṛtsnam avaśaṃ prakṛtērvaśāt ॥8॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
By keeping My own material nature under control, I repeatedly bring forth all these living beings, who are powerless and subject to the influence of nature.
na cha māṃ tāni karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya ।
udāsīnavadāsīnam asaktaṃ tēṣu karmasu ॥9॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, those actions do not bind Me, because I remain detached and uninvolved with them, like someone who is unconcerned and unaffected by what is happening.
mayādhyakṣēṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyatē sacharācharam ।
hētunā'nēna kauntēya jagadviparivartatē ॥10॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Under My supervision, nature brings forth all living and non-living things. Because of this oversight, Arjuna, the entire world continues to change and function.
avajānanti māṃ mūḍhāḥ mānuṣīṃ tanumāśritam ।
paraṃ bhāvamajānantaḥ mama bhūtamahēśvaram ॥11॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Foolish people disregard Me when I appear in human form, not understanding My true, supreme nature as the Lord who governs all beings.
mōghāśā mōghakarmāṇaḥ mōghajñānā vichētasaḥ ।
rākṣasīmāsurīṃ chaiva prakṛtiṃ mōhinīṃ śritāḥ ॥12॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who are confused and lack true understanding, whose hopes, actions, and knowledge are all wasted, take shelter in a deluding nature that is fiendish and ungodly.
mahātmānastu māṃ pārtha daivīṃ prakṛtimāśritāḥ ।
bhajantyananyamanasaḥ jñātvā bhūtādimavyayam ॥13॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
But those who are truly noble, O Arjuna, who have embraced the divine nature, worship Me with unwavering focus, recognizing Me as the eternal and unchanging source of all beings.
satataṃ kīrtayantō māṃ yatantaścha dṛḍhavratāḥ ।
namasyantaścha māṃ bhaktyā nityayuktā upāsatē ॥14॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Constantly singing My praises, making dedicated efforts, and remaining steadfast in their commitments, these devotees worship Me with heartfelt devotion. They bow down to Me and are always united with Me through their loving service.
jñānayajñēna chāpyanyē yajantō māmupāsatē ।
ēkatvēna pṛthaktvēna bahudhā viśvatōmukham ॥15॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Others, too, worship Me through the sacrifice of knowledge, seeing Me as the One, as distinct in many forms, or as the cosmic being with countless faces, each according to their understanding.
ahaṃ kraturahaṃ yajñaḥ svadhāhamahamauṣadham ।
mantrō'hamahamēvājyam ahamagnirahaṃ hutam ॥16॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am the Vedic ritual, I am the general sacrifice, I am the offering made to the ancestors, I am the nourishing herb, I am the sacred chant, I am the clarified butter, I am the ritual fire, and I am the act of making the offering itself.
pitā'hamasya jagataḥ mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ ।
vēdyaṃ pavitramōṅkāraḥ ṛksāma yajurēva cha ॥17॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am the father, the mother, the sustainer, and the grandfather of this universe. I am what is to be known, the purifier, the sacred syllable Om, and I am also the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Vedas.
gatirbhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṃ suhṛt ।
prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṃ nidhānaṃ bījamavyayam ॥18॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am the ultimate destination, the one who supports all, the supreme ruler, the silent observer, the dwelling place, the safe haven, the true friend. I am the source and the end, the foundation, the storehouse, and the eternal seed that never perishes.
tapāmyahamahaṃ varṣaṃ nigṛhṇāmyutsṛjāmi cha ।
amṛtaṃ chaiva mṛtyuścha sadasachchāhamarjuna ॥19॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am the one who provides heat, who both holds back and sends down the rain. I am the essence of immortality as well as the force of death. I am existence and non-existence, Arjuna.
traividyā māṃ sōmapāḥ pūtapāpāḥ yajñairiṣṭvā svargatiṃ prārthayantē ।
tē puṇyamāsādya surēndralōkam aśnanti divyāndivi dēvabhōgān ॥20॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who are well-versed in the three Vedas, who drink the sacred Soma and are purified from sin, worship Me through sacrifices and seek the path to heaven. After attaining the virtuous realm of Indra, king of the gods, they enjoy the celestial pleasures available in heaven.
tē taṃ bhuktvā svargalōkaṃ viśālaṃ kṣīṇē puṇyē martyalōkaṃ viśanti ।
ēvaṃ trayīdharmamanuprapannāḥ gatāgataṃ kāmakāmā labhantē ॥21॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
After enjoying the vast pleasures of heaven, when their accumulated merit runs out, they return to the mortal world. In this way, those who follow the rituals prescribed in the three Vedas, motivated by desires, experience a cycle of coming and going, never achieving lasting liberation.
ananyāśchintayantō māṃ yē janāḥ paryupāsatē ।
tēṣāṃ nityābhiyuktānāṃ yōgakṣēmaṃ vahāmyaham ॥22॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
For those who focus on Me alone, thinking of nothing else and worshipping Me with unwavering devotion, I personally take care of what they need and protect what they already have, as they are always united with Me.
yē'pyanyadēvatā bhaktāḥ yajantē śraddhayānvitāḥ ।
tē'pi māmēva kauntēya yajantyavidhipūrvakam ॥23॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Even those who faithfully worship other gods, Arjuna, are in fact worshipping Me alone, though they do so in a way that is not in line with the true understanding or proper method.
ahaṃ hi sarvayajñānāṃ bhōktā cha prabhurēva cha ।
na tu māmabhijānanti tattvēnātaśchyavanti tē ॥24॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am truly the sole enjoyer and master of all sacrifices, but people do not recognize Me in My true nature. As a result, they miss the highest benefit and fall away from the ultimate goal.
yānti dēvavratā dēvān pitṝnyānti pitṛvratāḥ ।
bhūtāni yānti bhūtējyāḥ yānti madyājinō'pi mām ॥25॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who dedicate themselves to the gods reach the gods. Those who are devoted to their ancestors go to their ancestors. Those who worship elemental beings or spirits reach those beings. But those who worship Me alone come to Me.
patraṃ puṣpaṃ phalaṃ tōyaṃ yō mē bhaktyā prayachChati ।
tadahaṃ bhaktyupahṛtam aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ ॥26॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
If someone offers Me even a simple leaf, flower, fruit, or a little water with a heart full of devotion, I gladly accept that sincere gift from the pure-minded person.
yatkarōṣi yadaśnāsi yajjuhōṣi dadāsi yat ।
yattapasyasi kauntēya tatkuruṣva madarpaṇam ॥27॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, whatever actions you perform, whatever food you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give away, and whatever austerities you undertake, do all of these as an offering to Me.
śubhāśubhaphalairēvaṃ mōkṣyasē karmabandhanaiḥ ।
sannyāsayōgayuktātmā vimuktō māmupaiṣyasi ॥28॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
In this way, you will be released from the bondage of actions that produce both good and bad results. With your mind established in the yoga of renunciation and freed from these ties, you will ultimately reach Me.
samō'haṃ sarvabhūtēṣu na mē dvēṣyō'sti na priyaḥ ।
yē bhajanti tu māṃ bhaktyā mayi tē tēṣu chāpyaham ॥29॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am equally disposed toward all living beings; I have neither dislike nor special fondness for anyone. Yet, those who worship me with devotion dwell in me, and I am present in them as well.
api chētsudurāchāraḥ bhajatē māmananyabhāk ।
sādhurēva sa mantavyaḥ samyagvyavasitō hi saḥ ॥30॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Even if someone acts in extremely wrongful ways, if they worship Me with unwavering, exclusive devotion, they should still be regarded as truly righteous, because their intention and resolve are set in the right direction.
kṣipraṃ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvachChāntiṃ nigachChati ।
kauntēya prati jānīhi na mē bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati ॥31॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
He quickly becomes a person of virtue and attains lasting peace. Arjuna, you should boldly declare that My devotee is never lost or destroyed.
māṃ hi pārtha vyapāśritya yē'pi syuḥ pāpayōnayaḥ ।
striyō vaiśyāstathā śūdrāḥ tē'pi yānti parāṃ gatim ॥32॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, even those considered of sinful birth-women, merchants, and laborers-if they take refuge in Me, they too reach the highest spiritual destination.
kiṃ punarbrāhmaṇāḥ puṇyāḥ bhaktā rājarṣayastathā ।
anityamasukhaṃ lōkam imaṃ prāpya bhajasva mām ॥33॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
How much more easily, then, do the virtuous brahmanas, devoted royal sages, and true devotees attain Me. Since you have come into this impermanent and unsatisfying world, dedicate yourself to My worship.
manmanā bhava madbhaktaḥ madyājī māṃ namaskuru ।
māmēvaiṣyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṃ matparāyaṇaḥ ॥34॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Focus your mind on Me, become devoted to Me, worship Me, and bow down to Me. By dedicating yourself fully to Me and regarding Me as your highest aim, you will surely reach Me.
॥ ōṃ tatsaditi śrīmadbhagavadgītāsu upaniṣatsu brahmavidyāyāṃ
yōgaśāstrē śrīkṛṣṇārjunasaṃvādē rājavidyārājaguhyayōgō nāma navamō'dhyāyaḥ ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Thus ends the ninth chapter, called The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret, from the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, found in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, which teaches the knowledge of Brahman and the science of yoga. OM tat sat.
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