In Bhagavad Gita 9.14, Krishna says that great souls, always singing his glories, striving with firm vows, bowing to him with devotion, worship him ever steadfast.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां
यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः
नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या
नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ॥ ९-१४ ॥
satataṃ kīrtayanto māṃ
yatantaśca dṛḍhavratāḥ
namasyantaśca māṃ bhaktyā
nityayuktā upāsate
English transliteration satatam keertayanto maam
yatantashcha dridhavrataah
namasyantashcha maam bhaktyaa
nityayuktaa upaasate ॥ 9.14 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Always glorifying Me, striving with firm resolve and bowing down to Me with devotion, they worship Me, ever steadfast.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सततम् satatam | always |
| कीर्तयन्तः kīrtayantaḥ | glorifying |
| माम् mām | Me |
| यतन्तः yatantaḥ | striving |
| च ca | and |
| दृढव्रताः dṛḍhavratāḥ | with firm resolve dṛḍha (firm) + vratāḥ (vows) |
| नमस्यन्तः namasyantaḥ | bowing down |
| च ca | and |
| माम् mām | to Me |
| भक्त्या bhaktyā | with devotion |
| नित्ययुक्ताः nityayuktāḥ | ever steadfast nitya (always) + yuktāḥ (steadfast) |
| उपासते upāsate | worship |
Word-wise Chanting
- sa–ta–taṃ kīr–ta–yan–to māṃ 8 syllables sa-ta-tam keer-ta-yan-to maam
- ya–tan–taś–ca dṛ–ḍhav–ra–tāḥ | 8 syllables ya-tan-tash-cha dri-dhav-ra-taah
- na–mas–yan–taś–ca māṃ bhak–tyā 8 syllables na-mas-yan-tash-cha maam bhak-tyaa
- nit–ya–yuk–tā u–pā–sa–te || 9-14 8 syllables nit-ya-yuk-taa u-paa-sa-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 9 Verse 14
Context
Krishna describes the practice of great souls (9.13–9.15).
Meaning
Their devotion takes several forms: kīrtana, singing and speaking of the Divine; yatna, steady effort with dṛḍha-vrata, firm commitments; and namaskāra, bowing in humility. Through all these they remain nitya-yukta, constantly united with the Divine.
Devotion is expressed through voice, effort and humility. Each form strengthens the others. Singing opens the heart, effort steadies the will, and bowing softens the ego.
In Practice
Sing or recite a short prayer or the divine name today, and end with a simple bow.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga (The Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.