A declaration · devotional in mood · easy to enter
“No birth or status can block one who takes refuge.”
O Partha, even those born in difficult circumstances, and women, merchants, and workers, can reach the highest state by taking refuge in me.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyme · indeed · O Partha · having taken refuge · those who · even · may be · born in difficult circumstances · women · merchants · and · workers · they · also · go · highest · state
Anyone, regardless of birth or social position, can reach the highest state by taking refuge in Krishna.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga" (The Royal Knowledge).
Verse 32 sits in Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, "The Royal Knowledge". The chapter has 34 verses in total.
At a temple committee meeting, someone suggests that only certain families should do the aarti. Krishna's answer is plain: birth, gender and work do not bar anyone who takes refuge in him.
Did you like this verse?
Women, merchants, workers and the lowly born all reach the highest state, Krishna says, by taking refuge.
What this verse means
Anyone, regardless of birth or social position, can reach the highest state by taking refuge in Krishna.
Context & commentary
Krishna widens his vision of who can reach the highest state. After saying even the fallen can rise through single-hearted devotion, Krishna adds that birth, gender, and social rank do not bar the way.
What it looks like today
At a temple committee meeting, someone suggests that only certain families should do the aarti. Krishna's answer is plain: birth, gender and work do not bar anyone who takes refuge in him.
“Belonging is not limited by background. Trust and surrender can open what status never could.”
Explore related themes: sharanagati (13 verses)