In Bhagavad Gita 9.15, Krishna says others worship him through the sacrifice of knowledge, as the One, as distinct, and in many ways, as the one whose face is everywhere.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये
यजन्तो मामुपासते
एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन
बहुधा विश्वतोमुखम् ॥ ९-१५ ॥
jñānayajñena cāpyanye
yajanto māmupāsate
ekatvena pṛthaktvena
bahudhā viśvatomukham
English transliteration jnaanayajnena chaapyanye
yajanto maamupaasate
ekatvena prithaktvena
bahudhaa vishvatomukham ॥ 9.15 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Others, offering the sacrifice of knowledge, worship Me as the One, as distinct, and in many forms, as the one whose face is everywhere.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ज्ञानयज्ञेन jñānayajñena | by the sacrifice of knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + yajñena (sacrifice) |
| च ca | and |
| अपि api | also |
| अन्ये anye | others |
| यजन्तः yajantaḥ | sacrificing |
| माम् mām | Me |
| उपासते upāsate | worship |
| एकत्वेन ekatvena | as the One |
| पृथक्त्वेन pṛthaktvena | as distinct |
| बहुधा bahudhā | in many ways |
| विश्वतोमुखम् viśvatomukham | whose face is everywhere viśvataḥ (everywhere) + mukham (face) |
Word-wise Chanting
- jñā–na–ya–jñe–na cāp–yan–ye 8 syllables jnaa-na-ya-jne-na chaap-yan-ye
- ya–jan–to mā–mu–pā–sa–te | 8 syllables ya-jan-to maa-mu-paa-sa-te
- e–kat–ve–na pṛ–thak–tve–na 8 syllables e-kat-ve-na pri-thak-tve-na
- ba–hu–dhā viś–va–to–mu–kham || 9-15 8 syllables ba-hu-dhaa vish-va-to-mu-kham
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 15
Context
Krishna describes other forms of worship (9.13–9.15).
Meaning
Some approach the Divine through jñāna-yajña, the offering of understanding. Some see it as ekatva, one with their own Self; some as pṛthaktva, distinct from themselves, as Lord and servant; and some as bahudhā, manifest in many forms, the Divine whose face is everywhere.
The Gita embraces different understandings of the relationship with God: non-dual, devotional and pluralistic. All are valid ways of worship when offered sincerely.
In Practice
Reflect on how you naturally relate to the Divine: as your own Self, as a beloved Other, or as present in all forms. Honour that way.
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.