Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 65:
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The Seeker Must Devote Themselves To Ishvara And Concentrate On Ishvara
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु |
मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे || 18.65||
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣhyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo ‘si me|| 18.65||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 65:
Be dedicated to Me, adore Me, and bow down to Me at all times. By doing this, you will undoubtedly return to Me. This is My promise to you since I value you greatly.
Explanation
Arjuna would be certain to reach the ultimate goal if he grows to love Shree Krishna deeply and keeps his thoughts fixed on him only. The core message of all the scriptures and the summary of all knowledge is to engage wholeheartedly in devotion. However, since Shree Krishna previously mentioned this earlier, this is not the most secret information he was referring to. In the following verse, he now discloses this ultimate secret.
Verse & what we can learn
In this shloka, Shri Krishna now makes the ultimate declaration, the core of the Gita. The whole Gita is a complete spiritual education programme. It can be used by all types of seekers at all points in their spiritual journeys. A thorough examination of the Gita would take several lifetimes.
But practically speaking, it is that component of the Gita that will help the vast majority of searchers who are entangled in the entanglements of the material world and unsure of how to begin. Shri Krishna offers a four-point summary of the Gita in light of this.
The seeker should fix their thoughts on Ishvara, according to the first and most important point. How is this possible? The second recommendation is for the seeker to devote themselves to Ishvara. In this context, devotion indicates that the seeker’s words and deeds should encourage the mind to focus on Ishvara. The third step is that one must worship Ishvara through one’s deeds throughout the full day for this to occur. The fourth principle is that the seeker can just bow to Ishvara in reverence if no actions are being taken.
The nine manifestations of bhakti are hearing Ishvara’s name, saying Ishvara’s name, remembering Ishvara, washing Ishvara’s feet, worshipping Ishvara, praising Ishvara, viewing Ishvara as a master, treating Ishvara as a friend, and fully surrendering to Ishvara.
To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the next shloka Shri Krishna asks Arjuna to adandon all dharma sans surrender to him.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…