Chapter 7, Verse 21 (Bhagavad Gita 7.21)
Chapter 7: Jñāna Vijñāna Yog – Self-Knowledge and Enlightenment
Sanskrit Shloka
यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति। तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम्
Transliteration
yo yo yāṁ yāṁ tanuṁ bhaktaḥ śhraddhayārchitum ichchhati tasya tasyāchalāṁ śhraddhāṁ tām eva vidadhāmyaham
Word Meanings
yaḥ yaḥ—whoever; yām yām—whichever; tanum—form; bhaktaḥ—devotee; śhraddhayā—with faith; architum—to worship; ichchhati—desires; tasya tasya—to him; achalām—steady; śhraddhām—faith; tām—in that; eva—certainly; vidadhāmi—bestow; aham—I
Translation
Whatever form any devotee desires to worship with faith, I make that same faith of his firm and unflinching.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound verse, Lord Krishna reveals His infinite compassion by acknowledging the diverse paths humans take toward the spiritual realm. Lord Krishna explains that He does not reject the devotee's chosen deity, but rather empowers their commitment, acting as the silent enabler of their spiritual sincerity. This teaching signifies that all earnest prayers ultimately reach Lord Krishna, as He resides within the heart of every deity and every devotee. By stabilizing our faith, Lord Krishna guides the soul through various developmental stages until it realizes that He is the singular ultimate goal. This wisdom encourages us to remain steadfast in our practice while cultivating a broader, respectful perspective toward the faiths of others.