sādhibhūtādhidaivaṁ māṁ sādhiyajñaṁ cha ye viduḥ
prayāṇa-kāle ’pi cha māṁ te vidur yukta-chetasaḥ
sa-adhibhūta — governing principle of the field of matter;
adhidaivam — governing principle of the celestial gods;
mām — me;
sa-adhiyajñam — governing principle of the Lord all sacrificial performances;
cha — and;
ye — who;
viduḥ — know;
prayāṇa — of death;
kāle — at the time;
api — even;
cha — and;
mām — me;
te — they;
viduḥ — know;
yukta-chetasaḥ — in full consciousness of me
This verse is about understanding who Krishna really is and recognizing his important role in the universe. It's saying that people who truly understand Krishna as the ultimate source of everything—both in the material world and the spiritual realm—are able to keep their focus on Him, even at the critical moment of death.
Let’s break this down further:
1. **Krishna as the Supreme Lord**: Here, Krishna is seen as the highest being, overseeing everything that exists. To really grasp this means recognizing that He is not just part of the world but is the very reason for its existence. Just like a captain leads a ship, Krishna guides the universe.
2. **Governing Principle**: Krishna is described as the 'governing principle' of the material world. This means that everything that happens in nature, and even the laws that govern this world, are under His control. Imagine a game where there are rules; Krishna is the one who created these rules and sees that everyone plays by them.
3. **Underlying All Demigods**: In Hindu beliefs, there are various demigods responsible for different aspects of life, like health, prosperity, etc. This verse explains that Krishna is the base or source of all these demigods. It's like saying that all the branches of a tree come from the same trunk; they are all connected to Him.
4. **Sustaining Sacrifices**: Sacrifices in ancient times were important rituals done for spiritual purposes. This verse teaches that Krishna is the essence or energy behind these sacrifices. Without His blessing or presence, the offerings wouldn't matter. So, when people perform any sacred act, it's Krishna they are ultimately reaching out to.
5. **Steadfast Mind**: Those who truly grasp this knowledge are described as having a 'steadfast mind.' This means they possess a strong, unwavering focus on Krishna. For instance, if you're studying for a crucial exam, having that single-minded focus helps you do well. Similarly, when they think of Krishna at all times, especially during important moments, they are aligned with His will.
6. **Understanding at Death**: Finally, the most critical part of this verse is about what happens at the moment of death. If a person has always kept Krishna in mind, even when it's time to leave this world, they won't forget Him. This is a comforting thought because it suggests that people who live their lives recognizing Krishna will find peace in their final moments. It’s like having a loving family member by your side during a scary time—knowing Krishna is with them allows them to face death calmly.
Overall, the verse reassures us that staying connected to Krishna throughout life helps individuals deal with even the toughest challenges, including death. By nurturing this connection through acts of devotion and mindfulness, they will naturally be drawn to the supreme spiritual realm after they leave this world.