4.11 yE yathA mAm prapadhyanthE

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Chapter 4

<< Chapter 4 verse 10

SlOkam – Original

yE yathA mAm prapadhyanthE thAms thathaiva bhajAmyaham |
mama varthmAnuvarthanthE manushyA: pArtha sarvaSa: ||

word-by-word meaning

yE – those
mAm – me
yathA – in whichever way they desire
prapadhyanthE – surrender unto me
thathA Eva – (making me available) in that same way they desired
aham – I
thAn – them
bhajAmi – reach them
pArtha – Oh son of pruthA (kunthI)!
manushyA: – All the people
mama varthma – my qualities
sarvaSa: – in all ways (which they desire)
anuvarthanthE – lives by enjoying

Simple Translation

I reach those who surrender unto me, In whichever way they desire me,  in the same way that  they desired (making me available). Oh son of pruthA (kunthI)! All the people live by enjoying my qualities in all ways.

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘In the way they resort to Me (prapadyante[3. This word has a special sense indicating the method of ‘Prapatti‘.]) in that way do I serve to them. All men (of My ways) Pārtha[4. Epithet of Arjuna, being a descendant of Pṛithu-Chakravarti.]! go after Me in every way.’

Not only, by the method of Incarnations, in the forms of devas, men etc., I am saviour to those who seek Me as their Refuge, but any other method or form[5. This verse is a wonderful proof of the catholicity of the religion of Gita. It affords freedom of worship to all in any manner. As such, the verse is an authority for image-worship (Read, Bh: GI: VII-21, IX-23 and 25., also Bhāgavata, XI-3-52.] which it may be their pleasing option to select[6. Vide: Śri Bhāgavata, III-24-30: Tāny eva te bhirūpāṇi etc.]. Whatever that is, to that I adapt Myself. By whatever conception[7. This verse is a wonderful proof of the catholicity of the religion of Gita. It affords freedom of worship to all in any manner. As such, the verse is an authority for image-worship (Read, Bh: GI: VII-21, IX-23 and 25., also Bhāgavata, XI-3-52.] they choose to seek Me, I manifest Myself to them in that mode[8. This verse is a wonderful proof of the catholicity of the religion of Gita. It affords freedom of worship to all in any manner. As such, the verse is an authority for image-worship (Read, Bh: GI: VII-21, IX-23 and 25., also Bhāgavata, XI-3-52.].

Bhajāmi is literally ‘I serve (in love).’ Here it means, ‘I appear to them’ (darśayāmi).

In short, albeit My nature is such as even Yogis (exclusively God-devoted men) find it to be transcending thought and speech, yet to all who are of My ways, I suit Myself in a manner that I am, to them, not only a Visible Demonstration, but they may enjoy Me by every one of their sense-faculties, and in all diverse ways.

Bringing now to a close, the digressive topic (of Avatāras), the subject of karma-yoga is resumed. Before presenting the jñāna-aspect of karma-yoga, it is first shown how rare are the persons who practice that kind of karma-yoga.

>> Chapter 4 verse 12

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