Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, Shloka 22

Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga

Devanagari script

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते । तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ॥ ९.२२ ॥

Transliteration

ananyāś cintayanto māṃ ye janāḥ paryupāsate | teṣāṃ nityābhiyuktānāṃ yoga-kṣemaṃ vahāmy aham || 9.22 ||

Translation

ただ我のみを念じ、一心にあらゆる方より我を礼拝する者たち——常に専念する彼らのために、我はヨーガとクシェーマ（得ることと護ること）を担う。

Gita Press Meaning

Those who, thinking of Me alone, worship Me on every side—of them, ever steadfast, I carry (secure) their yoga and kṣema (acquisition and protection).

Critical Edition Meaning

Those persons who, without another (exclusive), contemplate Me and worship Me attentively—of those always engaged, I bear their ‘yoga-and-kṣema’ (attainment and safeguarding).

Comparative Note

“yoga-kṣema” is often glossed as ‘getting what is not yet obtained and preserving what is obtained.’ Some interpret it inwardly as spiritual integration and stability; others as providential support in life. The verse is central for bhakti traditions emphasizing divine care.

Word by Word

• अनन्याः: non-exclusive (having no other object)
• अनन्याः: Karta
• Root: अनन्य

• चिन्तयन्तः: meditating (thinking)
• चिन्तयन्तः: Karta
• Root: √चिन्त्

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma
• Root: अस्मद्

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta
• Root: यद्

• जनाः: people
• जनाः: Karta
• Root: जन

• परि: all around; completely
• Root: परि

• उपासते: worship; adore; attend upon
• Root: √उप-आस्

• तेषाम्: of them
• Root: तद्

• नित्याभियुक्तानाम्: of those constantly engaged (in devotion)
• Root: नित्याभियुक्त

• योगक्षेमम्: acquisition and protection (of what is needed/possessed)
• योगक्षेमम्: Karma
• Root: योगक्षेम

• वहामि: I carry; I bear; I provide
• Root: √वह्

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Root: अस्मद्

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Ananya-bhakti
• Yoga-kṣema
• Paryupāsanā (attentive worship)

Key Themes

• Exclusive devotion
• Divine responsibility/care
• Stability of practice

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Exclusive contemplation reduces rumination and divided priorities; the promise of ‘support’ can function as a trust-based antidote to anxiety.

Metaphysical meaning?

The verse expresses a relational metaphysics: the ultimate is not only the ground of being but also responsive within devotion, ensuring continuity of the devotee’s path.

Contextual relevance?

After describing the limits of merit-based heaven (9.20–21), it offers an alternative: steady devotion that is not dependent on finite karmic results.

Modern Application?

It can be applied as a principle of focused commitment: when one organizes life around a central ethical-spiritual aim, necessary supports (skills, habits, community) are more likely to be sustained.