bhaktyā tv ananyayā śhakya aham evaṁ-vidho ’rjuna
jñātuṁ draṣhṭuṁ cha tattvena praveṣhṭuṁ cha parantapa
bhaktyā — by devotion;
tu — alone;
ananyayā — unalloyed;
śhakyaḥ — possible;
aham — I;
evam-vidhaḥ — like this;
arjuna — Arjun;
jñātum — to be known;
draṣhṭum — to be seen;
cha — and;
tattvena — truly;
praveṣhṭum — to enter into (union with me);
cha — and;
parantapa — scorcher of foes
In this verse, Krishna is telling Arjuna that the only way to truly know Him, to see Him as He really is, and to connect with Him deeply is through sincere and one-pointed devotion. This means that if someone wants to understand Krishna, they can't just study religious texts or think hard about Him; they must truly devote themselves to Him wholeheartedly.
Krishna emphasizes that trying to understand Him through speculation or guesswork is not effective. Many people might read the scriptures and come up with their own ideas about Krishna's nature, but Krishna is saying that this approach won't unlock the true understanding of who He is. It's like trying to solve a puzzle without having all the pieces or the correct picture to guide you. You may have some ideas, but without devotion, you won't really see the complete picture.
He points out that those who want to know Him should follow the teachings of authentic spiritual literature. These texts provide guidelines for understanding God. They present rules and ways to practice devotion, which are essential for anyone serious about building a relationship with Krishna.
Moreover, Krishna explains that people should engage in good practices, like charity, but with the right intention. Charity is necessary, but it should go to those who serve Krishna, helping to spread the message of His teachings and love to others. Giving to the right people enhances one’s connection to Krishna and supports the bigger picture of understanding Him.
Worship in temples, where statues of Krishna or Vishnu are found, is also encouraged. For many people starting their spiritual journey, this worship helps them grow and get closer to God. When someone goes to a temple, it offers a structured way to show devotion, which is very important for beginners.
Krishna is essential for humanity, and through the devotion shown in different practices—like worship, charity, and following spiritual guidelines—people can gain a better understanding of Him. This leads not just to spiritual knowledge but to the experience of deep love for Krishna, which is incredibly precious and can be challenging to attain. Those who truly engage in this devotion will find peace, joy, and clarity in their relationship with Krishna, and they'll begin to comprehend the mysteries of life and existence through Him.