In Bhagavad Gita 9.30, Krishna says that even if a person of very bad conduct worships him with undivided devotion, he should be regarded as good, for he has rightly resolved.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो
भजते मामनन्यभाक्
साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः
सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः ॥ ९-३० ॥
api cetsudurācāro
bhajate māmananyabhāk
sādhureva sa mantavyaḥ
samyagvyavasito hi saḥ
English transliteration api chetsuduraachaaro
bhajate maamananyabhaak
saadhureva sa mantavyah
samyagvyavasito hi sah ॥ 9.30 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Even if a person of very bad conduct worships Me with undivided devotion, he must be regarded as good, for he has made the right resolve.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अपि api | even |
| चेत् cet | if |
| सुदुराचारः sudurācāraḥ | a person of very bad conduct su (very) + durācāraḥ (bad conduct) |
| भजते bhajate | worships |
| माम् mām | Me |
| अनन्यभाक् ananyabhāk | with undivided devotion ananya (no other) + bhāk (devoted) |
| साधुः sādhuḥ | good |
| एव eva | indeed |
| सः saḥ | he |
| मन्तव्यः mantavyaḥ | must be regarded |
| सम्यक् samyak | rightly |
| व्यवसितः vyavasitaḥ | resolved |
| हि hi | for |
| सः saḥ | he |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–pi cet–su–du–rā–cā–ro 8 syllables a-pi chet-su-du-raa-chaa-ro
- bha–ja–te mā–ma–nan–ya–bhāk | 8 syllables bha-ja-te maa-ma-nan-ya-bhaak
- sā–dhu–re–va sa man–tav–yaḥ 8 syllables saa-dhu-re-va sa man-tav-yah
- sam–yag–vya–va–si–to hi saḥ || 9-30 8 syllables sam-yag-vya-va-si-to hi sah
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 30
Context
Krishna reveals the transforming power of devotion (9.30–9.31).
Meaning
Krishna makes an astonishing statement: even a sudurācāra, a person of very wrong conduct, who turns to the Divine with ananya-bhakti, should be considered sādhu, good. Why? Because he has samyag vyavasita, made the right decision. The direction of the heart matters more than the past.
This verse offers hope to everyone. No past is too dark to prevent a new beginning. The moment of sincere turning toward the Divine is the moment transformation begins.
In Practice
If you carry guilt about your past, let this verse remind you that a sincere turn toward the good is what matters now.
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.