Bhagavadgita -Radhakrishnan 190

The Bhagavadgita -S. Radhakrishnan

Prev.png
CHAPTER 9
The Lord is more than His Creation


31. ksiprarn bhavati dharmatmd
sasvacchantim nigacchati
kauntcya pratijanihi
na me bhaktah .pranasyati
(31) Swiftly does he become a soul of righteousness and obtain lasting peace. 0 Son of Kunti (Arjuna), know thou for certain that My devotee perishes never.[1]
Once we place ourselves in the hands of the Divine, we cannot fall into utter darkness.
Cp. Rama's statement : "To him who seeks My protection even once and requests help of Me saying `I am yours' I shall give him fearlessness from all beings This is My resolve."[2]

32. mam hi partha vyapdgritya
ye 'pi syuh pcipayonayah
striyo vaisyas tatha sudras
te 'pi yanti param gatim
(32) For those who take refuge in Me, 0 Partha (Arjuna), though they are lowly born, women, Vaisyas, as well as gudras, they also attain to the highest goal
The message of the Gita is open to all without distinction of race, sex or caste. This verse is not to be regarded as supporting the social customs debarring women and SUdras from Vedic study. It refers to the view prevalent at the time of the composition of the Gita. The Gita does not sanction these social rules.[3] The Gita gets beyond racial distinctions in its emphasis on spiritual values Its gospel of love is open to all men and women, persons of all castes as well as those outside caste.[4]


Next.png

References and Context

  1. ↑ pratijanihi pratijnam kuru madbhakto na pranasyati.
  2. ↑ sakrdevasyat prapannaya tava"smiti ca yacate abhayam sarvabhutebhyo dadamy etad vratam mama. Cp. the saying: na vasudevabhaktam aaubhayh vidyate kuacit.
  3. ↑ In the early times, there was the tendency to look upon the non-Hindus as barbarians, though this attitude of superiority was not confined to the Hindus. The ancient Greeks looked upon
  4. ↑ It is a matter of deep humiliation and shame to every sensible Hindu to think that sometimes attempts are made to justify untouchability. The Buddha welcomed antyajas into his sangha. In the Ramayana, one who will now be regarded as an untouchable took Rama across the Ganges in his boat. The great teachers of bhakti, saiva and Vaisnava, have striven for equality and proclaimed that believers in God, whatever their origin, are the best of the twiceborn. candalopi dvijasresthah hari bhaktiparayanat. Among the followers of Caitanya were Hindus and Moslems, robbers and prostitutes