ye me matam idaṁ nityam anutiṣhṭhanti mānavāḥ
śhraddhāvanto ’nasūyanto muchyante te ’pi karmabhiḥ
ye — who;
me — my;
matam — teachings;
idam — these;
nityam — constantly;
anutiṣhṭhanti — abide by;
mānavāḥ — human beings;
śhraddhā-vantaḥ — with profound faith;
anasūyantaḥ — free from cavilling;
muchyante — become free;
te — those;
api — also;
karmabhiḥ — from the bondage of karma
In this verse, Krishna is saying that if people follow his teachings and do their duties with sincere belief and without jealousy, they will be free from the chains of actions based on selfish desires.
Let's break this down further. Krishna represents the Supreme Being, and his teachings are considered the essence of all spiritual wisdom. He emphasizes that these teachings are timeless and important for everyone who wants to live a meaningful life. To truly connect with Krishna's teachings, one must have faith in what he says. This means believing that his instructions will guide them towards a better and more fulfilling life.
Moreover, Krishna points out that simply following his teachings isn't enough if someone feels envious or discontent with them. Jealousy can cloud our minds and prevent us from understanding the true value of what is being shared. So, Krishna encourages a mindset that is free from complaints and negativity.
He mentions that there may be many thinkers and philosophers who discuss spiritual matters but do not hold the same level of faith in Krishna. Because of their skepticism or critical views, they may never truly free themselves from the burden of actions driven by their own desires, which often leads to dissatisfaction or unhappiness in life.
However, he reassures us that even if a regular person can't perfectly follow all of Krishna's instructions, as long as they approach these teachings with love and respect, and they genuinely try their best, they will be set free from the cycles of karma. Karma refers to the positive and negative effects of our actions. Feeling too pressured to be perfect shouldn’t hold someone back. What matters is the attitude they have while trying to do their duties.
Starting on the path of this spiritual journey, it's normal not to execute everything perfectly. But having sincere dedication and trying without fear of making mistakes is what matters. Those who work with this sincere effort will eventually reach a deeper level of spiritual awareness and connection to Krishna. In simple terms, faith and goodwill are key to overcoming the burdens of life's actions and finding true peace.