अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् || 22||
ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham
ananyāḥ—always; chintayantaḥ—think of; mām—Me; ye—those who; janāḥ—persons; paryupāsate—worship exclusively; teṣhām—of them; nitya abhiyuktānām—who are always absorbed; yoga—supply spiritual assets; kṣhemam—protect spiritual assets; vahāmi—carry; aham—I
Translation:
Those persons who worship Me, meditating on their identity with Me and ever devoted to Me— to them I carry what they lack and for them I preserve what they already have.
Commentary:
This is one of the most important verses in the Gita. As it occurs in the middle of the Gita, we may describe it as the most precious gem in the Gita-diamond-garland. This is the Lord’s promise of protection for the devotee. He takes upon Himself the responsibility of the devotee, who is ever united with Him. Yoga means securing things which are not already possessed by the devotee. Kshema means preservation of things already possessed. Nothing can cause fear to the true devotee about his welfare, as the Lord Himself has taken over the entire responsibility. Let him be true to Him, and the never-failing hand of God is always there to protect him. The Lord knows full well that His devotees have given their all to Him, and have nothing of their own. Such things as the devotee needs, are supplied by the Lord Himself, under all circumstances. What should be the attitude of the true devotee? He should have no other thought except that of the Lord.
Ananyah: ‘Not other’ is ananyah. That is, the devotee has nothing other than the Lord, and his mind does not move away from the Lord towards any other thing. This type of devotee is far different from others who desire enjoyments in Heaven, or in other worlds. The latter also worships the Lord, but his mind is attached to enjoyments. This is not ‘ananyabhakti‘. The devotee mentioned in this verse has no relish for anything except the Lord. All other things up to Brahmaloka are trash for him. He discards them all as loathsome stuff. Such a devotee is the Lord’s own. To have such devotion distinguishes the true Bhakta whose responsibilities are taken over by the Lord Himself.
What infinite compassion! What assurance of protection! Arjuna gave away the reins into the hands of the Lord. So should the devotee surrender himself to the Lord, and the result of such surrender is the protection of the Lord under all circumstances. What is needed by the devotee is either some worldly goods for the maintenance of the body or Atma-jnana – both provided by Him.
The devotee has nothing else to do except to devote himself to the Lord’s worship and all else is looked after by the Lord.
The devotee may be in a desert or a mountain cave or a forest, the Lord follows him like a calf following the mother cow. The biographies of saints and sadhus show how the Lord at every step was with them, in them, and around them. Their life stories should give courage to the solitary seeker, who is treading the holy path of Self-realisation in the middle of the tremendous dangers and distractions of worldly life.
God’s grace is like the wind, and sun-light. Without distinction of caste or creed, age His grace pervades all. He is the friend of all. Let one be sincere and truthful. Let one’s devotion be honest and straight-forward. Let one have faith, and the Lord’s promise is there to protect him.
The Lord should be worshipped continuously and always.
Atmajnana is the greatest boon that the Lord could confer on His devotee. Whatever little sadhana one does sincerely is protected and strengthened by the Lord.
Steadfast and ceaseless memory of the Lord is emphasised here.
Swami Vivekananda Says —
Listen to an old story. A lazy tramp sauntering along the road saw an old man sitting at the door of his house and stopped to inquire of him the whereabouts of a certain place. “How far is such and such a village?” he asked. The old man remained silent. The man repeated his query several times. Still there was no answer. Disgusted at this, the traveller turned to go away. The old man then stood up and said, “The village of__ is only a mile from here.” “What!” said the tramp, “Why did you not speak when I asked you before?” “Because then”, said the old man, “you seemed so halting and careless about proceeding, but now you are starting off in good earnest, and you have a right to an answer.” Will you remember this story, my son? (Referring to Alasinga Perumal) Go to work, the rest will come: “Whosoever not trusting in anything else but Me, rests on Me, I supply him with everything he needs.” This is no dream.[Source]
But today there is a dark shadow in her mind. Gopala is frightened to go alone through the wood. Never before had she (†) felt her widowhood, her loneliness, her poverty so bitter. For a moment it was all dark, but she recalled to her mind what she had heard of the eternal promise: “Those that depend on Me giving up all other thoughts, to them I Myself carry whatever is necessary.” And she was one of the souls who could believe.[Source]
I am now going to be reconciled to my life here. All my life I have been taking every circumstance as coming from Him and calmly adapting myself to it. At first in America I was almost out of my water. I was afraid I would have to give up the accustomed way of being guided by the Lord and cater for myself — and what a horrid piece of mischief and ingratitude was that. I now clearly see that He who was guiding me on the snow tops of the Himalayas and the burning plains of India is here to help me and guide me. Glory unto Him in the highest. So I have calmly fallen into my old ways. Somebody or other gives me a shelter and food, somebody or other comes to ask me to speak about Him, and I know He sends them and mine is to obey. And then He is supplying my necessities, and His will be done! “He who rests [in] Me and gives up all other self-assertion and struggles I carry to him whatever he needs.”[Source]
All healthy social changes are the manifestations of the spiritual forces working within, and if these are strong and well adjusted, society will arrange itself accordingly.[Source]
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If the spiritual life is intensified, the outer life will adjust itself automatically; this principle applies equally to the life of an organisation. — Swami Brahmananda
Sri Ramakrishna Says —
ADHAR: “But Chaitanya, too, enjoyed the world.”
MASTER (amazed): “What? What did he enjoy in the world?”
ADHAR: “Scholarship! Honour!”
MASTER: “It was honour in the sight of others, but nothing to him. Whether you — a deputy magistrate — or this youngster Niranjan honours me, it is all the same to me. And I tell you this truthfully: the idea of controlling a wealthy man never enters my mind. Surendra once said, rather condescendingly, that Rakhal’s father could sue me for letting Rakhal (Rakhal then was a minor.) stay with me. When I heard this from Manomohan, I said: ‘Who is this Surendra? How does he dare make a remark like that? He keeps a carpet and pillow here and gives me some money. Is that his excuse for daring to make such an impudent remark?'”
ADHAR: “I understand that he gives ten rupees a month. Isn’t that so?”
MASTER: “That covers two months’ expenses. The devotees stay here and he gives the money for their service. It is he who earns the merit. What is that to me? Is it for my personal gain that I love Narendra, Rakhal, and the others?”
M: “Your love for them is like a mother’s for her children.”
MASTER: “But even behind the mother’s love lies her hope that the children will support her later on. But I love these youngsters because I see in them Narayana Himself. These are not mere words.
(To Adhar) “Listen. There is no scarcity of moths when the lamp is lighted. When God is realised, He Himself provides everything for His devotees. He sees that they do not lack anything. When God is enshrined in the heart, many people come forward to offer their services.
Once a young sannyasi went to a householder to beg his food. He had lived as a monk from his very birth; he knew nothing of worldly matters. A young daughter of the householder came out to give him alms. He turned to her mother and said, Mother, has this girl abscesses on her chest?’ The mother said: ‘No, my child. God has given her breasts to nurse her child when she becomes a mother. Thereupon the sannyasi said: “Then why should I worry about myself? Why should I beg my food? He who has created me will certainly feed me.
“Listen If a woman renounces everything for her paramour, she can say to him, if need be, You wretch! I shall sit on your chest and devour you.’
Nangta told me of a certain king who gave a feast to the sadhus, using plates and tumblers of gold. I noticed in the monasteries at Benares with what great respect the abbots were treated. Many wealthy up-country people stood before them with folded hands, ready to obey their commands. But a true sadhu, a man who has really renounced everything, seeks neither a gold plate nor honour. God sees that he lacks nothing. God gives the devotee everything that is needed for realizing Him. (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
—–
Hazra was sitting on the verandah.
MASTER: “Do you know what Hazra wants? He wants money. His family is in distress; he has debts. He thinks that God will give him money because he devotes himself to japa and meditation.”
A DEVOTEE: “Can’t God fulfil a devotee’s desire?”
MASTER: “If it is His sweet will. But God doesn’t take entire responsibility for a devotee unless the devotee is completely intoxicated with ecstatic love for Him. At a feast it is only a child whom one takes by the hand and seats at his place. Who does that with older people? Not until a man thinks so much of God that he cannot look after himself does God take on his responsibilities. Hazra doesn’t inquire about his family. His son said to Ramlal: ‘Please ask father to come home. We shall not ask anything of him.’ These words almost brought tears to my eyes. Hazra’s mother said to Ramlal: ‘Please ask Pratap (Hazra.) to come home just once. Also ask your uncle (The Master.) to request him to come home.’ I told him about it, but he didn’t listen to me.
“Is a mother to be trifled with? Before becoming a sannyasi Chaitanyadeva worked hard to persuade his mother to let him renounce home. Mother Sachi said that she would kill Keshab Bharati.16 Chaitanyadeva did his utmost to persuade her. He said: ‘Mother, I shall not renounce home if you won’t let me. But if you compel me to lead a householder’s life, I shall die. And, mother, even if I go away as a sannyasi, you will be able to see me whenever you desire. I shall stay near you. I shall see you every now and then.’ Only when Chaitanya explained it to her thus did she give her permission. Narada could not go to the forest to practise austerity as long as his mother was alive. He had to take care of her. After her death he went away to realise God.
“When I went to Vrindavan I felt no desire to return to Calcutta. It was arranged that I should live with Gangama. (A great woman saint of vrindavan..) Everything was settled. My bed was to be on one side and Gangama’s on the other. I resolved not to go back to Calcutta. I said to myself, ‘How long must I eat a kaivarta’s17 food?’ ‘No,’ said Hriday to me, ‘let us go to Calcutta.’ He pulled me by one hand and Gangama pulled me by the other. I felt an intense desire to live at Vrindavan. But just then I remembered my mother. That completely changed everything. She was old. I said to myself: ‘My devotion to God will take to its wings if I have to worry about my mother. I would rather live with her. Then I shall have peace of mind and be able to meditate on God.’
(To Narendra) “Why don’t you say a few Words to Hazra about going home? The other day he said to me, ‘Yes, I shall go home and stay there three days.’ But now he has forgotten all about it. (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
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SUB-JUDGE: “How can we know that we have Knowledge?“
MASTER: “When one has Knowledge one does not see God any more at a distance. One does not think of Him any more as ‘He’. He becomes ‘This’. Then He is seen in one’s own heart. God dwells in every man. He who seeks God realises Him.”
SUB-JUDGE: “Sir, I am a sinner. How can I say that God dwells in me?“
MASTER: “That’s the one trouble with you Brahmos. With you it is always sin and sin! That’s the Christian view, isn’t it? Once a man gave me a Bible. A part of it was read to me, and it was full of that one thing — sin and sin! One must have such faith that one can say: ‘I have uttered the name of God; I have repeated the name of Rama or Hari. How can I be a sinner?’ One must have faith in the glory of God’s name.”
SUB-JUDGE: “Sir, how can one have such faith?“
MASTER: “Have passionate love for God. One of your Brahmo songs says:
O Lord, is it ever possible to know Thee without love,
However much one may perform worship and sacrifice?
Pray to God in secret and with yearning, that you may have that passionate attachment and devotion to Him. Shed tears for Him. A man sheds a jugful of tears because his wife is sick or because he is losing money or because he is worrying about getting a job. But tell me, who ever weeps for God?”
TRAILOKYA: “Sir, where is people’s leisure? They must serve their English masters.”
MASTER: “Well, then give God the power of attorney. If a man entrusts his affairs to a good person, will the latter do him any harm? With all the sincerity of your heart resign yourself to God and drive all your worries out of your mind. Do whatever duties He has assigned to you. The kitten does not have a calculating mind. It only cries, ‘Mew, mew!’ It lies in the kitchen contentedly if the mother cat leaves it there, and only calls the mother, crying, ‘Mew, mew!’ It has the same feeling of contentment when the mother cat puts it on the soft bed of the master of the house. It only cries for its mother.”
SUB-JUDGE: “Sir, we are householders. How long should we perform our worldly duties?”
MASTER: “Surely you have duties to perform. You must bring up your children, support your wife, and provide for her in ease of your death. If you don’t, then I shall call you unkind. Sages like Sukadeva had compassion. He who has no compassion is no man.”
SUB-JUDGE: “How long should one support one’s children?”
MASTER: “As long as they have not reached their majority. When the chick becomes a full-grown bird and can look after itself, then the mother bird pecks it and doesn’t allow it to come near her.” (All laugh.)
SUB-JUDGE: “What is a householder’s duty to his wife?”
MASTER: “You should give her spiritual advice and support her during your lifetime and provide for her livelihood after your death, if she is a chaste wife.
“But if you are intoxicated with the Knowledge of God, then you have no more duties to perform. Then God Himself will think about your morrow if you yourself cannot do so. God Himself will think about your family if you are intoxicated with Him. If a landlord dies leaving behind a minor son, then a guardian appointed by the court takes charge of the son. These are all points of law; you know them.”
SUB-JUDGE: “Yes, sir.”
VIJAY: “Ah! Priceless words! God Himself carries on His shoulders all the responsibilities of a person who thinks of Him with single-minded devotion and is mad with divine love. A minor gets his guardian without seeking him. Alas, when shall I have that state of mind? How lucky they are who feel that way!”
TRAILOKYA: “Is it ever possible, sir, to have true knowledge of God while living in the world? Can one realise God here?”
MASTER (with a smile): “Why do you worry? You are enjoying both treacle and refined sugar. (All laugh.) You are living in the world with your mind in God. Isn’t that true? Why shouldn’t a man realise God in the world? Certainly he can.” (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
Related Articles:
- The Lord said: Hear, Ο Pārtha, how, with your mind attached to Me, and taking refuge in Me, and practising yoga, you will without any doubt know Me in full. (BG 7.1)
- Knowing which there shall not be any other to be known in this world, that Knowledge combined with experience, I will tell you. (BG 7.2)
- On those who are ever devoted to Me and worship Me with love, I bestow the yoga of understanding, by which they come to Me. (BG 10.10)
- Lord Narayana and His Self-defending Devotee
Question: How to meditate on the Lord?
Answer: The devotee should give up all other thoughts and think of the Lord. He should not have any attachment to any worldly things.
Question: What is the effect?
Answer: He receives God’s grace. God Himself takes over his responsibilities both secular and spiritual.
Question: What then should man do to obtain God’s grace?
Answer: He should worship the Lord with single-minded devotion.
† Gopal’s Mother, in the story narrated by Swamiji, “The Story of the Boy Gopala”.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 9 
(34 Verses)
