satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaśh cha dṛiḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaśh cha māṁ bhaktyā nitya-yuktā upāsate
satatam — always;
kīrtayantaḥ — singing divine glories;
mām — me;
yatantaḥ — striving;
cha — and;
dṛiḍha-vratāḥ — with great determination;
namasyantaḥ — humbly bowing down;
cha — and;
mām — me;
bhaktyā — loving devotion;
nitya-yuktāḥ — constantly united;
upāsate — worship
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, the Supreme Lord Krishna explains the qualities of truly great souls, or 'mahatmas.' It sends a clear message about how these remarkable individuals dedicate themselves to their spiritual path.
First, let’s focus on the phrase ‘always chanting My glories.’ This means that these great souls are continuously thinking about and expressing their praise for the Supreme Lord, who in this context is Krishna. They sing, recite, or remember the wonderful qualities, deeds, and names of Krishna. This shows that their minds are filled with positivity and devotion. For example, when you admire someone for their good traits, you naturally talk about them and appreciate them. These great souls do this beautifully with Krishna.
Next, the verse mentions ‘endeavoring with great determination.’ This means they put in a consistent and serious effort to worship Krishna. For them, it's not just a casual thing that they do when they feel like it; rather, they commit themselves fully. Think about someone who trains hard for a marathon. They don’t just run occasionally; they practice regularly and push through obstacles because they have a goal in mind. Similarly, these devoted souls strive diligently in their worship and devotion to Krishna.
Then, we see the phrase ‘bowing down before Me.’ This reflects humility. Bowing down is a sign of respect, acknowledging that there is something greater than oneself. In everyday situations, you might show respect to someone you admire by listening carefully to them or asking for their guidance. These great souls show their reverence to Krishna, who they see as the supreme being.
The overall picture of a mahatma includes being deeply engaged in praising Krishna, making sincere efforts in their spiritual practice, and approaching their practice with respect and humility. They are always connected to the divine and see their purpose in life as serving and honoring Krishna. This goes beyond mere ritual; their whole lives revolve around this love and devotion.
So, in simpler terms, this verse teaches us that true greatness comes from genuinely loving and serving the divine. It’s about being dedicated, humble, and constantly celebrating the goodness of the Supreme Lord in everything you do.