Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, Shloka 15

Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga

Devanagari script

ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये यजन्तो मामुपासते । एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन बहुधा विश्वतोमुखम् ॥ ९.१५ ॥

Transliteration

jñāna-yajñena cāpy anye yajanto mām upāsate | ekatvena pṛthaktvena bahudhā viśvato-mukham || 9.15 ||

Translation

ଅନ୍ୟେ କେହି ଜ୍ଞାନଯଜ୍ଞ ଦ୍ୱାରା ମୋତେ ଯଜି ଉପାସନା କରନ୍ତି; ସେମାନେ ମୋତେ ଏକତ୍ୱରେ, ପୃଥକ୍ତ୍ୱରେ ଏବଂ ବହୁରୂପରେ—ସର୍ବଦିକ୍ମୁଖ ବିଶ୍ୱରୂପ ଭାବେ—ଆରାଧନା କରନ୍ତି।

Gita Press Meaning

Others, worshipping Me through the sacrifice of knowledge, adore Me as one, as distinct, and as manifold, facing all directions.

Critical Edition Meaning

Others, offering the ‘knowledge-sacrifice,’ worship Me—(some) in oneness, (some) in separateness, (some) in many ways—(Me) whose face is toward all (i.e., the all-facing).

Comparative Note

The verse accommodates multiple theological-philosophical standpoints: nondual (ekatva), dualist/separative (pṛthaktva), and plural or many-formed devotion (bahudhā). “viśvato-mukham” is interpreted as omniform/omnipresent rather than a literal physical image.

Word by Word

• ज्ञानयज्ञेन: by the sacrifice of knowledge
• ज्ञानयज्ञेन: Karana
• Root: ज्ञान-यज्ञ

• च: and
• Root: च

• अपि: also
• Root: अपि

• अन्ये: others
• अन्ये: Karta
• Root: अन्य

• यजन्तः: worshipping / sacrificing
• यजन्तः: Karta
• Root: यज्

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

• उपासते: they worship / they adore
• Root: उप-आस्

• एकत्वेन: by oneness / as one
• एकत्वेन: Karana
• Root: एकत्व

• पृथक्त्वेन: by separateness / as distinct
• पृथक्त्वेन: Karana
• Root: पृथक्त्व

• बहुधा: in many ways
• Root: बहुधा

• विश्वतःमुखम्: the one whose faces are everywhere / the all-faced
• विश्वतःमुखम्: Karma
• Root: विश्वतः-मुख

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Jñāna-yajña
• Ekatva (oneness)
• Pṛthaktva (difference)
• Viśvarūpa/omni-form

Key Themes

• Plurality of valid approaches
• Knowledge as worship
• Unity-in-diversity

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It recognizes diverse cognitive styles: some relate through unity, others through distinction, and others through multiple symbolic forms—each can stabilize meaning-making.

Metaphysical meaning?

Krishna is portrayed as compatible with both monistic and theistic frameworks, suggesting a layered ontology (one reality, many relations/forms).

Contextual relevance?

Chapter 9 broadens devotion beyond ritual, presenting knowledge-oriented contemplation as a sacrificial offering.

Modern Application?

The verse can support inter-philosophical dialogue: differing metaphysical models may be treated as complementary lenses rather than purely rival claims.