Chapter 9, Verse 32 (Bhagavad Gita 9.32)
Chapter 9: Rāja Vidyā Yog – Yoga through the King of Sciences
Sanskrit Shloka
मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः। स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम्
Transliteration
māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśhritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ striyo vaiśhyās tathā śhūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim
Word Meanings
mām—in me; hi—certainly; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; vyapāśhritya—take refuge; ye—who; api—even; syuḥ—may be; pāpa yonayaḥ—of low birth; striyaḥ—women; vaiśhyāḥ—mercantile people; tathā—and; śhūdrāḥ—manual workers; te api—even they; yānti—go; parām—the supreme; gatim—destination
Translation
O Arjuna, those who take refuge in Me, even if they be of sinful birth—such as women, Vaisyas, and Sudras—attain the Supreme Goal.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound declaration, Shri Krishna dissolves all material limitations and social barriers, affirming that the path to liberation is open to every soul. By declaring that even those considered socially disadvantaged can attain the Supreme Goal, Lord Krishna emphasizes that bhakti, or pure devotion, is the only true qualification for spiritual transcendence. He reveals that His grace is impartial and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, provided they surrender completely unto Him. This teaching establishes that the soul’s intrinsic nature is divine, and when one seeks refuge in the Supreme Lord, all past karmic conditioning is burned away. Thus, Shri Krishna invites every seeker, without exception, to experience the eternal joy of union with the Supreme.