Chapter 9 Verse 32
Rāja Vidyā Yog
मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः। स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम्।।9.32।।
māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśhritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ striyo vaiśhyās tathā śhūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim
Word Meanings
| 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 |
Translation
For, taking refuge in Me, they who, O Arjuna, may be of a sinful birth—women, Vaisyas, and Sudras—attain the Supreme Goal.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches that spiritual freedom is open to everyone. If a person truly turns to the Divine with trust and surrender, social labels like birth, gender, or class do not block their progress.
The key is taking refuge in God — a sincere inner turning away from ego and towards love, service, and truth. Divine grace is not earned by status but received by humility and devotion.
Ultimately, the verse breaks down barriers and says: the heart’s seeking matters more than outward reputation. Real spiritual worth comes from inner surrender, not from pedigree or social rank.
Life Application
- Practice simple surrender: set aside a quiet moment daily to offer your worries and intentions to the Divine with honesty.
- Treat everyone as spiritually capable: listen, respect, and encourage others without judging their background.
- Focus on inner change, not external labels; measure progress by kindness, truthfulness, and steady devotion.
Reflection Question
Who am I excluding from compassion or spiritual support because of their background or status?