māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśhritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
striyo vaiśhyās tathā śhūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim
mām — in me;
hi — certainly;
pārtha — Arjun, the son of Pritha;
vyapāśhritya — take refuge;
ye — who;
api — even;
syuḥ — may be;
pāpa yonayaḥ — of low birth;
striyaḥ — women;
vaiśhyāḥ — mercantile people;
tathā — and;
śhūdrāḥ — manual workers;
te api — even they;
yānti — go;
parām — the supreme;
gatim — destination
In this verse, the Supreme Lord is telling Arjuna that anyone, no matter what their background or social status is, can find a place in the divine realm if they seek refuge in Him. This means that whether someone is a woman, a merchant, or a laborer, they are all equally capable of reaching the highest spiritual goal.
In everyday life, people often focus on class distinctions; some think that certain people are better or more deserving based on their job or social standing. The Lord clarifies that these societal labels do not matter in the world of spiritual devotion. For example, someone may be looked down upon because they belong to a lower class, but if they sincerely devote themselves to God, they can achieve the ultimate spiritual success.
The verse also references the idea that even someone from a very low background (described in the text as 'candalas,' or people considered outcasts) can find elevation through sincere devotion, especially when they are around pure devotees of God. It highlights the transformative power of devotional service. When someone truly connects with the divine through devotion, their past does not impact their future in a spiritual sense.
The Supreme Lord emphasizes that it's not about being born into a 'better' family or having a particular job; it's about the heart and effort put into serving and surrendering to Him. This is a message of hope and inclusivity, encouraging everyone to engage in devotion.
People are categorized based on qualities and behaviors: those with good qualities are seen as wise and knowledgeable (like scholars), those who are ambitious and strong are seen as fighters or leaders, and those who are hardworking and service-oriented are seen as workers. Each of these groups has its roles in society. There are even those who might be considered less fortunate because of their circumstances. However, the Lord reassures that anyone can rise above these labels through sincere devotional practice and by completely surrendering to Him.
In short, in the realm of divine love and service, everyone has the same opportunity to connect, grow, and reach the highest state of bliss, regardless of their past or present situations.