Chapter 4 Verse 11
Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः।।4.11।।
ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāns tathaiva bhajāmyaham mama vartmānuvartante manuṣhyāḥ pārtha sarvaśhaḥ
Word Meanings
| ye | who |
| yathā | in whatever way |
| mām | unto me |
| prapadyante | surrender |
| tān | them |
| tathā | so |
| eva | certainly |
| bhajāmi | reciprocate |
| aham | I |
| mama | my |
| vartma | path |
| anuvartante | follow |
| manuṣhyāḥ | men |
| pārtha | Arjun, the son of Pritha |
| sarvaśhaḥ | in all respects |
Translation
In whatever way men approach Me, even so do I reward them; My path do men tread in all ways, O Arjuna.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches that the divine responds to us according to how we come to it. If someone comes with love, devotion, knowledge, or duty, the Divine meets that person in that spirit. The exact form of the practice is less important than the honest heart behind it.
It also says people naturally follow the Divine in different ways. Everyone’s nature and life situation shape their path, yet each sincere path can lead toward the same goal. The verse supports spiritual openness: truth can be reached through many sincere approaches.
Practically, the teaching shifts the focus from arguing about the “right” method to cultivating sincerity, mindfulness, and responsibility in our way of relating to life and the sacred.
Life Application
- Choose a simple, regular practice (prayer, honest work, meditation) and do it with sincerity rather than searching for the perfect method.
- Respect others’ spiritual paths; value their sincerity instead of judging forms or labels.
- Treat everyday duties and relationships as ways to connect with the Divine by acting with care, honesty, and presence.
Reflection Question
How sincere is my heart in the way I reach for the sacred each day?