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

ଯେମାନେ ଅନନ୍ୟଭାବରେ କେବଳ ମୋତେ ଚିନ୍ତନ କରି ସର୍ବତୋଭାବେ ମୋର ଉପାସନା କରନ୍ତି—ସେହି ନିତ୍ୟନିଷ୍ଠମାନଙ୍କର ଯୋଗକ୍ଷେମ ମୁଁ ହିଁ ବହନ କରେ।

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.