bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśhvaram
suhṛidaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śhāntim ṛichchhati
bhoktāram — the enjoyer;
yajña — sacrifices;
tapasām — austerities;
sarva-loka — of all worlds;
mahā-īśhvaram — the Supreme Lord;
su-hṛidam — the selfless Friend;
sarva — of all;
bhūtānām — the living beings;
jñātvā — having realized;
mām — me (Lord Krishna);
śhāntim — peace;
ṛichchhati — attains
In this verse, Lord Krishna talks about how wise and knowledgeable people—often referred to as sages—understand something very important: that He is the key to true peace and fulfillment. Many people in the world are searching for peace and happiness. They often think that they can find it through physical possessions, achievements, or by satisfying their desires. However, Krishna teaches that this kind of pursuit does not lead to lasting peace; rather, it often results in more suffering and stress.
What these sages know is that all of our efforts, whether they are sacrifices we make for others or hard work we put into achieving our goals, should ultimately be dedicated to Krishna. He is seen as the Supreme Lord who controls everything—the planets, the demigods, and even the forces of nature. You might think of demigods as powerful beings who govern different aspects of the world, like rain, food, or health. But Krishna is recognized as even greater than them. He is the ultimate source of everything and the ultimate owner of all that exists.
The sages realize that by dedicating their actions to Krishna, they align themselves with a higher purpose. This dedication helps them understand that everything in the universe ultimately belongs to Him. This realization removes the illusion that we are the masters of our lives or that we can control what happens to us. In reality, we are influenced strongly by the material world around us and its rules. So, when we mistakenly believe we are completely in control, we become attached to the outcomes of our actions, and this attachment can bring us distress.
Krishna explains that the way to true happiness is to recognize Him as the supreme authority and to act out of love and service toward Him and others. When we do this, we can let go of our material desires—those things that often lead to pain and competition with others. Instead of feeling burdened by our ambitions, we can find freedom and peace within ourselves. This is what Krishna consciousness is essentially about: understanding our relationship with Krishna and dedicating our lives to Him brings us true peace.
In summary, this verse teaches that if we acknowledge Krishna as the purpose behind everything we do and surrender our individual goals to Him, we can attain real peace and liberation from the suffering that comes from chasing after temporary pleasures in the material world. It's about shifting our focus from ourselves to a higher purpose, which, according to Krishna, leads us to lasting serenity and joy.