Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 11

English Translation

According to the manner in which they approach Me, I favour them in that very manner. O son of Partha, human beings follow My path in every way.

Detailed Commentary

"Whoever devotee takes refuge in *Bhagavān* in whatever form and with whatever disposition (*Bhāva*), *Bhagavān* also shelters them in that same form and with that same disposition." For instance, if a devotee considers *Bhagavān* as their *Guru*, He becomes the *Guru*; if as a disciple, He becomes the disciple; if as mother and father, He becomes mother and father; if as a son, He becomes the son; if as a *Sakhā* (friend), He becomes the *Sakhā*; if as a servant, He becomes the servant. If a devotee becomes distressed without *Bhagavān*, *Bhagavān* also becomes distressed without the devotee. Arjuna had a *Sakhā-bhāva* (friendly disposition) towards Shri Krishna and wished Him to be his *Sārathi* (charioteer); hence, *Bhagavān*, with that *Sakhā-bhāva*, became his *Sārathi*. Similarly, according to the *Shraddhā-bhāva* (disposition of faith) of the devotees, *Bhagavān* assumes that very form. *Bhagavān* behaves according to the dispositions of ordinary humans, whom He Himself created; this is His great magnanimity, compassion, and intimacy. *Bhagavān* takes *Avatāra* (incarnation) specifically for His devotees. In whatever form a devotee desires to serve *Bhagavān*, *Bhagavān* manifests in that very form. As stated in the Upanishads, "When *Bhagavān*, being alone, did not find satisfaction, He manifested in many forms and began to play." When the devotees' hearts desire to play with *Bhagavān*, then *Bhagavān* manifests to perform His *Lilā* (divine play). If a devotee cannot live without *Bhagavān*, then *Bhagavān* also cannot live without the devotee. Here, '*Yathā*' (as) and '*Tathā*' (so) signify 'relationship' (*Sambandha*), 'disposition' (*Bhāva*), and 'earnest devotion' (*Lagan*). Even though the nature of the devotee and *Bhagavān* may appear similar, the major difference is that *Bhagavān* acts not by the devotee's power, but by His own. *Bhagavān* is omnipresent (*Sarvatra Vidyāmān*), omnipotent (*Sarvasamarth*), omniscient (*Sarvajña*), and the Supreme Friend (*Parama Suhrid*). The devotee must apply their full effort; then *Bhagavān* is attained by them with His full power. The obstacles in attaining *Bhagavān* (*Bhagavatprāpti*) are created by the *Sādhaka* (spiritual aspirant) themselves, because they consider the means (*Sādhan*), resources (*Sāmagri*), time (*Samaya*), and capacity (*Sāmarthya*) as their own and do not apply them fully. If they were to apply them considering them as *Bhagavān*'s, then *Bhagavatprāpti* would occur swiftly. Doubt: If someone accepts *Bhagavān* with a particular disposition, will *Bhagavān* also behave with them in that same disposition? Resolution: The word '*Prapadyante*' (they surrender) refers exclusively to taking refuge in *Bhagavān* (*Sharaṇāgati*). Therefore, it does not pertain to hatred (*Dvesha*), enmity (*Vaira*), etc. *Bhagavān*, through His own conduct, teaches that just as a devotee considers their relationship with Him to be, so does He become. In the same way, a devotee should also become as they perceive their relationship with society to be. If one follows the path of *Bhagavān*, then *Bhagavān* will be attained. Special point: If love is offered, abandoning ego (*Ahaṅkār*) and selfishness (*Svārth*), then that love will spontaneously flow towards *Bhagavān*. Ego and selfishness are indeed the obstacles to divine love (*Bhagavat-prem*). When these are abandoned, love becomes all-encompassing (*Vyāpak*), and all artificial relationships vanish. The *Jīva* (individual soul) has an eternal relationship (*Nitya Sambandha*) with *Paramātmā* (the Supreme Soul); only upon recognizing this does *Bhagavatprāpti* occur. After recognizing the divine mystery (*Bhagavattarahasya*), the devotee becomes free from worry (*Nishchint*) and fearless (*Nirbhay*). Connection: In the previous verse, it was explained that attaining *Bhagavān* is simple. Despite this, why people do not take refuge in *Bhagavān* will be explained in the forthcoming verse.