Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 55

English Translation

O son of Pandu, he who works for Me, accepts Me as the supreme Goal, is devoted to Me, is devoid of attachment and free from enmity towards all beings-he attains Me.

Detailed Commentary

11.55. Commentary— In this *śloka*, five practices are mentioned, also known as *sādhanapañcaka*. These are divided into two parts: (1) Intimacy with Bhagavān, and (2) Detachment from the world. In the first part are 'matkarmakṛt', 'matparamaḥ', and 'madbhaktaḥ'; in the second part are 'saṅgavarjitaḥ' and 'nirvairaḥ sarvabhūteṣu'. 'Matkarmakṛt'—One who performs actions related to Bhagavān and one's worldly duties solely for My pleasure is 'matkarmakṛt'. In reality, *karma* has two forms, transcendental (*pāramārthika*) and worldly (*laukika*), but intrinsically all actions must be performed for Bhagavān alone. A devotee does everything for Bhagavān because everything he possesses has been bestowed by Bhagavān. 'Matparamaḥ'—One who regards Me as the Supreme and follows Me alone is 'matparamaḥ'. 'Madbhaktaḥ'—One who is solely My devotee and has forged an unwavering bond with Me is 'madbhaktaḥ'. This fosters love for Bhagavān, as a sense of belonging is the basis of love. Such a devotee perceives Bhagavān everywhere. 'Saṅgavarjitaḥ nirvairaḥ sarvabhūteṣu yaḥ'—By performing actions for Bhagavān, remaining devoted to Him, and becoming His devotee, one loses all attachment to the world. The devotee knows that he is a part of Bhagavān, which awakens love within him and eradicates attachment (*rāga*). He harbors no enmity (*vairabhāva*), even in the face of misconduct. Such a devotee is described by Bhagavān as 'nirvairaḥ sarvabhūteṣu'. 'Saṅgavarjitaḥ' and 'nirvairaḥ' signify detachment from the world. Upon detachment, the Paramātmā is attained. 'Sa māmeti'—such a devotee attains Me. Special Note: At the end of the Ninth Chapter, Śrī Bhagavān said: 'Manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṁ namaskuru.' (9.34). Bhagavān expounded the Tenth and Eleventh Chapters to explain His mystery. The *jīva* takes refuge in transient, perishable, and changing *Prakṛti*, thereby turning away from the imperishable Bhagavān. The purpose of these chapters is to eliminate this aversion and turn the *jīva* towards Bhagavān. Humans possess two powers: contemplation (*cintana*) and vision (*darśana*). The power of contemplation should be directed towards Bhagavān's *vibhūtis* (divine glories). Whatever distinction one perceives, one should consider it as belonging to Bhagavān and contemplate upon it. In the Eleventh Chapter, the power of vision is directed towards Bhagavān. Just as everything is seen in Bhagavān's Virāṭ Rūpa (Cosmic Form), so too should the world be perceived as Bhagavān Himself. Arjuna had prayed for both these perspectives. In the Tenth Chapter, Arjuna asked how he should contemplate Him, and in the Eleventh Chapter, Bhagavān revealed His form. A *sādhaka* should not direct his powers of contemplation and vision anywhere other than towards Bhagavān. Thus, with the utterance of the divine names 'Tat, Sat'—in the Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā, which is the knowledge of Brahman and the scripture of Yoga, the Eleventh Chapter concludes.