क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति |
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्त: प्रणश्यति || 31||
kṣhipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śhaśhvach-chhāntiṁ nigachchhati
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati
kṣhipram—quickly; bhavati—become; dharma-ātmā—virtuous; śhaśhvat-śhāntim—lasting peace; nigachchhati—attain; kaunteya—Arjun, the son of Kunti; pratijānīhi—declare; na—never; me—My; bhaktaḥ—devotee; praṇaśhyati—perishes
Translation:
He soon becomes righteous and attains eternal peace. Proclaim it boldly, Ο son of Kunti, that My devotee never perishes.
Commentary:
The effect of the right decision is declared here. The wicked man quickly becomes a righteous man (‘Dharmatma’), and attains eternal peace.
This point should be carefully understood because all progress in spiritual life depends on correct and firm decision. One may read all the sastras in the world and yet cling desperately to the ephemeral things of the world. Such a man has not come to the right decision in spite of his learning and erudition. The decision that Paramatma alone is Real, and that He alone is the ultimate refuge should be reached. But doubt and darkness cover up the mind, and the truth, though repeatedly heard, does not sink into the mind and illumine the heart.
But, when the correct decision is reached, accepted, and confirmed by one’s own heart, he immediately becomes a righteous man, whatever his former sins might be. Not only does he become righteous, but he enjoys supreme eternal peace. The Upanishads declare “Unto them comes peace and to none else.”
The second line of the verse is the Lord’s proclamation to the world. “My devotee never perishes.” This is a ‘mahamantra‘ for all mankind. Whenever one feels dispirited, dull and desperate, let this line be repeated, shouted at the highest pitch, so that the clouds of doubt and despair might to cleared, and the Lord becomes manifest in his own heart. How can a man suffer from thirst when the holy Ganga is flowing by? How can a man become desperate when the loving Lord is standing by? No. Let there be no doubt about it. The Lord throws a challenge to all doubters – “Have faith in Me, thou shall not be destroyed.” Let the feeble and infirm doubters feel the warmth of this declaration. The compassionate Lord wants Arjuna to proclaim to all mankind that His devotees shall never suffer destruction. Remembering this promise, may all aspirants move forward on the glorious path of Self-realiation.
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Devotee: “It is said that the Lord grants man His vision if he calls on Him sincerely even for two or three days. I have been calling on Him for so many days. Why do I not see Him?”
Sri Sarada Devi: “Yes, you will see Him. The words of Shiva and of the Master cannot be in vain. The Master said to Surendra, Those who are rich should practise charities etc. Those who have not, take, His name. If you cannot do even this, then surrender yourself to Him. It is enough if you only remember that you have some one-God, who is your father or mother-to look after you.” (Source: Spiritual Talks by the First Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna)
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NILKANTHA: “What shall I say, sir? Please be gracious to us.”
MASTER (smiling): “You are ferrying many people across the ocean of the world. How many hearts are illumined by hearing your music!”
NILKANTHA: “You talk of ferrying. But bless me that I may not be drowned in the ocean myself.”
MASTER (smiling): “If you get drowned, it will be in the Sea of Immortality.” (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
ARUNAGIRINATHAR’S REPENTANCE AND SURRENDER
Another example for such a transformation is the great Saint Arunagirinatha whose Thirupugazh, songs on Lord Muruga, are like a flood of bhakti. Arunagirinatha had previously led a highly immoral life. At the right time, the Lord’s grace descended, and dispassion arose within him like blazing fire. Such dire despondency overtook him that he decided to commit suicide. Calling out aloud to Lord Muruga, he jumped from the top of a tower in the temple of Arunachaleswara. As he fell straight to the ground, someone caught him and rescued him. He opened his eyes for a glimpse and saw the Lord in all His splendour. He then fell in a swoon.
When he woke up, he saw a sādhu, who said, “I am the one who rescued you.” Subsequently, the Lord in the form of that sādhu gave him the upadeśa, “Do not think, keep quiet.” This upadeśa was enough to connect him to the link of yoga and establish him there. He sat in samādhi for twelve years. He was transfigured and became an Illumined Saint. He says in one of his songs, “The birthless and deathless Lord appeared before me, and with one word, He made me abide in the Self. He uttered ‘summā iru—be still, do not think.’ And with that, He swallowed my ‘I’ and danced in my Heart as pure Consciousness.” (Source: Srimad Bhagavad Gita – Elixir of Eternal Wisdom | Vol 1)
Question: How shall wicked man change?
Answer: By having faith in the Lord. He becomes Dharmatma very soon.
Question: What shall be his reward?
Answer: Supreme peace.
Question: What then is the way to attain peace?
Answer: Undivided faith and devotion to the Lord.
Question: What is the Lord’s promise?
Answer: His devotees shall never perish.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 9 🔻 (34 Verses)
