Chapter 29 · Class prep
A printable handout for teaching this chapter. For each verse with Personal Guidance, you'll see Prabhupāda's translation, the essence, two or three practical applications, and a discussion prompt. Press ⌘P / Ctrl P to print as a handout.
BG 29.1
Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Lord Acyuta, I fear that the method of yoga described by You is very difficult for one who cannot control his mind. Therefore please explain to me in simple terms how someone can more easily execute it.
Essence. Uddhava admits the yoga described is hard for those who cannot control the mind and asks for a simpler path. Honest naming of difficulty is itself wisdom.
BG 29.2
O lotus-eyed Lord, generally those yogīs who try to steady the mind experience frustration because of their inability to perfect the state of trance. Thus they weary in their attempt to bring the mind under control.
Essence. Generally yogīs trying to steady the mind fail to reach trance and weary in the attempt. The widespread failure is acknowledged.
BG 29.3
Therefore, O lotus-eyed Lord of the universe, swanlike men happily take shelter of Your lotus feet, the source of all transcendental ecstasy. But those who take pride in their accomplishments in yoga and karma fail to take shelter of You and are defeated by Your illusory energy.
Essence. Swan-like men take shelter of His lotus feet, source of all ecstasy; those proud of yoga or karma fail to take shelter and are defeated by His illusory energy. Pride disqualifies; surrender opens.
BG 29.4
My dear infallible Lord, it is not very astonishing that You intimately approach Your servants who have taken exclusive shelter of You. After all, during Your appearance as Lord Rāmacandra, even while great demigods like Brahmā were vying to place the effulgent tips of their helmets upon the cushion where Your lotus feet rested, You displayed special affection for monkeys such as Hanumān because they had taken exclusive shelter of You.
Essence. It is not astonishing that the Lord approaches His exclusive servants; even when Brahmā vied to place dust on the Lord, He distinguished His devotees. His preferential love for surrendered ones is a settled fact.
BG 29.5
Who, then, could dare reject You, the very Soul, the most dear object of worship, and the Supreme Lord of all — You who give all possible perfections to the devotees who take shelter of You? Who could be so ungrateful, knowing the benefits You bestow? Who would reject You and accept something for the sake of material enjoyment, which simply leads to forgetfulness of You? And what lack is there for us who are engaged in the service of the dust of Your lotus feet?
Essence. Who, knowing benefits, could reject the Lord — Soul, dearest object of worship, Supreme — who gives perfections to those who take shelter? The rhetorical question shames mediocre devotion.
BG 29.6
O my Lord! Transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science could not fully express their indebtedness to You, even if they were endowed with the prolonged lifetime of Brahmā, for You appear in two features — externally as the ācārya and internally as the Supersoul — to deliver the embodied living being by directing him how to come to You.
Essence. Even with Brahmā's lifespan, transcendental poets cannot fully express indebtedness to the Lord, who appears externally as ācārya and internally as Supersoul. The double presence makes the debt infinite.
BG 29.7
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus questioned by the most affectionate Uddhava, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme controller of all controllers, who takes the entire universe as His plaything and assumes the three forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, began to reply, lovingly displaying His all-attractive smile.
Essence. Thus questioned by Uddhava, Lord Kṛṣṇa — supreme of controllers, who takes the universe as play and assumes three forms — began to reply lovingly. Even cosmic majesty replies lovingly to the devotee.
BG 29.8
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Yes, I shall describe to you the principles of devotion to Me, by executing which a mortal human being will conquer unconquerable death.
Essence. Yes, the Lord will describe principles of devotion by which a mortal will conquer unconquerable death. The promise is enormous.
BG 29.9
Always remembering Me, one should perform all his duties for Me without becoming impetuous. With mind and intelligence offered to Me, one should fix his mind in attraction to My devotional service.
Essence. Always remembering the Lord, perform all duties for Him without impetuosity; with mind and intelligence offered, fix the mind in attraction to devotional service. The Lord names the daily formula.
BG 29.10
One should take shelter of holy places where My saintly devotees reside, and one should be guided by the exemplary activities of My devotees, who appear among the demigods, demons and human beings.
Essence. Take shelter of holy places where His saintly devotees reside; be guided by the exemplary activities of devotees among demigods, demons, humans. Devotee company is named as the central support.
BG 29.11
Either alone or in public gatherings, with singing, dancing and other exhibitions of royal opulence, one should arrange to celebrate those holy days, ceremonies and festivals set aside specially for My worship.
Essence. Alone or in public gatherings, with singing, dancing, royal opulence, celebrate the holy days and festivals set aside for the Lord's worship. Festival is part of bhakti.
BG 29.12
With a pure heart one should see Me, the Supreme Soul within all beings and also within oneself, to be both unblemished by anything material and also present everywhere, both externally and internally, just like the omnipresent sky.
Essence. With pure heart see Me — Supreme Soul within all beings and oneself — unblemished by matter and present everywhere, internally and externally, like sky. The seeing is what bhakti finally enables.
BG 29.13-14
O brilliant Uddhava, one who thus views all living entities with the idea that I am present within each of them, and who by taking shelter of this divine knowledge offers due respect to everyone, is considered actually wise. Such a man sees equally the brāhmaṇa and the outcaste, the thief and the charitable promoter of brahminical culture, the sun and the tiny sparks of fire, the gentle and the cruel.
Essence. One who sees the Lord in all beings and gives due respect to everyone is actually wise; he sees equally the brāhmaṇa and the dog-eater. Real wisdom flattens social ranking.
BG 29.15
For him who constantly meditates upon My presence within all persons, the bad tendencies of rivalry, envy and abusiveness, along with false ego, are very quickly destroyed.
Essence. For one constantly meditating on the Lord's presence in all persons, rivalry, envy, abusiveness, and false ego are quickly destroyed. Universal seeing dissolves divisive impulses.
BG 29.16
Disregarding the ridicule of one’s companions, one should give up the bodily conception and its accompanying embarrassment. One should offer obeisances before all — even the dogs, outcastes, cows and asses — falling flat upon the ground like a rod.
Essence. Disregarding companions' ridicule, give up bodily conception and embarrassment; offer obeisances even to dogs, outcastes, cows, asses — falling flat like a rod. Public devotion bypasses social shame.
BG 29.17
Until one has fully developed the ability to see Me within all living beings, one must continue to worship Me by this process with the activities of his speech, mind and body.
Essence. Until you can fully see Me in all beings, continue to worship Me by this process using speech, mind, body. Practice trains perception.
BG 29.18
By such transcendental knowledge of the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, one is able to see the Absolute Truth everywhere. Freed thus from all doubts, one gives up fruitive activities.
Essence. Through this transcendental knowledge of the all-pervading Lord, one sees the Absolute everywhere, becomes free of doubts, and gives up fruitive activities. Vision and renunciation come together.
BG 29.19
Indeed, I consider this process — using one’s mind, words and bodily functions for realizing Me within all living beings — to be the best possible method of spiritual enlightenment.
Essence. Using mind, words, bodily functions for realizing the Lord within all beings is the best method of spiritual enlightenment. The triple use is the path.
BG 29.20
My dear Uddhava, because I have personally established it, this process of devotional service unto Me is transcendental and free from any material motivation. Certainly a devotee never suffers even the slightest loss by adopting this process.
Essence. Because the Lord personally established it, devotional service is transcendental and free from material motivation; a devotee never suffers even slight loss by adopting it. The guarantee is named.
BG 29.21
O Uddhava, greatest of saints, in a dangerous situation an ordinary person cries, becomes fearful and laments, although such useless emotions do not change the situation. But activities offered to Me without personal motivation, even if they are externally useless, amount to the actual process of religion.
Essence. In danger ordinary people cry, fear, lament — but useless emotions change nothing; activities offered to Me without personal motivation, even externally useless, do not go in vain. Even apparently useless service has effect.
BG 29.22
This process is the supreme intelligence of the intelligent and the cleverness of the most clever, for by following it one can in this very life make use of the temporary and unreal to achieve Me, the eternal reality.
Essence. This is the supreme intelligence of the intelligent — using the temporary to achieve the eternal, the Lord. The trade is named as supremely clever.
BG 29.23
Thus have I related to you — both in brief and in detail — a complete survey of the science of the Absolute Truth. Even for the demigods, this science is very difficult to comprehend.
Essence. Thus the Lord has explained — both briefly and in detail — a complete survey of the science of the Absolute Truth, difficult even for the demigods to comprehend. The rarity of the gift is emphasized.
BG 29.24
I have repeatedly spoken this knowledge to you with clear reasoning. Anyone who properly understands it will become free from all doubts and attain liberation.
Essence. Anyone who properly understands this knowledge becomes free of doubts and attains liberation. The promise is repeated.
BG 29.25
Anyone who fixes his attention on these clear answers to your questions will attain to the eternal, confidential goal of the Vedas — the Supreme Absolute Truth.
Essence. Anyone who fixes attention on these clear answers attains the eternal confidential goal of the Vedas — the Supreme Absolute Truth. Attention is named as the operative verb.
BG 29.26
One who liberally disseminates this knowledge among My devotees is the bestower of the Absolute Truth, and to him I give My very own self.
Essence. One who disseminates this knowledge to His devotees gives the Absolute Truth, and to him the Lord gives His very own self. Sharing knowledge has uniquely high return.
BG 29.27
He who loudly recites this supreme knowledge, which is the most lucid and purifying, becomes purified day by day, for he reveals Me to others with the lamp of transcendental knowledge.
Essence. Whoever loudly recites this most lucid and purifying knowledge is purified day by day and reveals the Lord to others with the lamp of transcendental knowledge. Speaking purifies the speaker.
BG 29.28
Anyone who regularly listens to this knowledge with faith and attention, all the while engaging in My pure devotional service, will never become bound by the reactions of material work.
Essence. Anyone who regularly listens with faith and attention while engaging in pure devotional service will never be bound by karmic reactions. Listening plus practice is unbreakable.
BG 29.29
My dear friend Uddhava, have you now completely understood this transcendental knowledge? Are the confusion and lamentation that arose in your mind now dispelled?
Essence. Has Uddhava now completely understood, and is the confusion and lamentation dispelled? The Lord checks in on the student.
BG 29.30
You should not share this instruction with anyone who is hypocritical, atheistic or dishonest, or with anyone who will not listen faithfully, who is not a devotee, or who is simply not humble.
Essence. Don't share this with hypocrites, atheists, dishonest, faithless listeners, non-devotees, or the not-humble. Real teaching is reserved for the receptive.
BG 29.31
This knowledge should be taught to one who is free from these bad qualities, who is dedicated to the welfare of the brāhmaṇas, and who is kindly disposed, saintly and pure. And if common workers and women are found to have devotion for the Supreme Lord, they are also to be accepted as qualified hearers.
Essence. Teach this to one free of those bad qualities, kindly disposed, saintly, pure, dedicated to brāhmaṇas' welfare; and even workers and women with devotion become qualified. The category of qualification is moral, not social.
BG 29.32
When an inquisitive person comes to understand this knowledge, he has nothing further to know. After all, one who has drunk the most palatable nectar cannot remain thirsty.
Essence. When an inquisitive person understands this, there is nothing further to know; one who has drunk the most palatable nectar cannot remain thirsty. Curiosity terminates in this knowledge.
BG 29.33
Through analytic knowledge, ritualistic work, mystic yoga, mundane business and political rule, people seek to advance in religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. But because you are My devotee, whatever men can accomplish in these multifarious ways you will very easily find within Me.
Essence. By analytic knowledge, ritual, yoga, business, politics, people seek dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa; because Uddhava is His devotee, whatever men can accomplish in these pursuits the Lord will grant him. Devotion contains the fruits of all paths.
BG 29.34
A person who gives up all fruitive activities and offers himself entirely unto Me, eagerly desiring to render service unto Me, achieves liberation from birth and death and is promoted to the status of sharing My own opulences.
Essence. One who gives up fruitive activities and offers himself entirely to the Lord, eagerly desiring to serve, attains liberation and is promoted to sharing His opulences. Total offering yields total elevation.
BG 29.35
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing these words spoken by Lord Kṛṣṇa, and having thus been shown the entire path of yoga, Uddhava folded his hands to offer obeisances. But his throat choked up with love and his eyes overflowed with tears; so he could say nothing.
Essence. Hearing this, Uddhava folded hands to bow but his throat choked with love and tears overflowed; he could say nothing. Love produces speechlessness.
BG 29.36
Steadying his mind, which had become overwhelmed with love, Uddhava felt extremely grateful to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the greatest hero of the Yadu dynasty. My dear King Parīkṣit, Uddhava bowed down to touch the Lord’s lotus feet with his head and then spoke with folded hands.
Essence. Steadying his mind, Uddhava bowed to touch the Lord's feet with his head and then spoke with folded hands, gratefully. Even overwhelming love is brought into form by discipline.
BG 29.37
Śrī Uddhava said: O unborn, primeval Lord, although I had fallen into the great darkness of illusion, my ignorance has now been dispelled by Your merciful association. Indeed, how can cold, darkness and fear exert their power over one who has approached the brilliant sun?
Essence. Although fallen into illusion's darkness, Uddhava's ignorance is dispelled by the Lord's merciful association; how can cold, darkness, fear exert power over one near the brilliant sun? The image refreshes promise.
BG 29.38
In return for my insignificant surrender, You have mercifully bestowed upon me, Your servant, the torchlight of transcendental knowledge. Therefore, what devotee of Yours who has any gratitude could ever give up Your lotus feet and take shelter of another master?
Essence. For Uddhava's small surrender the Lord gave the torchlight of transcendental knowledge — so what grateful devotee could ever leave His feet for another master? Gratitude binds loyalty.
BG 29.39
The firmly binding rope of my affection for the families of the Dāśārhas, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and Sātvatas — a rope You originally cast over me by Your illusory energy for the purpose of developing Your creation — is now cut off by the weapon of transcendental knowledge of the self.
Essence. The binding rope of affection for the Dāśārhas, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas, Sātvatas — cast by the Lord's illusory energy for creation — is now cut by the weapon of transcendental knowledge. Even illusion knots dissolve under knowledge.
BG 29.40
Obeisances unto You, O greatest of yogīs. Please instruct me, who am surrendered unto You, how I may have undeviating attachment to Your lotus feet.
Essence. Obeisances to the greatest of yogīs — Uddhava asks how he may have undeviating attachment to the Lord's lotus feet. The closing prayer is precise.
BG 29.41-44
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, take My order and go to My āśrama called Badarikā. Purify yourself by both touching and also bathing in the holy waters there, which have emanated from My lotus feet. Rid yourself of all sinful reactions with the sight of the sacred Alakanandā River. Dress yourself in bark and eat whatever is naturally available in the forest. Thus you should remain content and free from desire, tolerant of all dualities, good-natured, self-controlled, peaceful and endowed with transcendental knowledge and realization. With fixed attention, meditate constantly upon these instructions I have imparted to you and assimilate their essence. Fix your words and thoughts upon Me, and always endeavor to increase your realization of My transcendental qualities. In this way you will cross beyond the destinations of the three modes of nature and finally come back to Me.
Essence. Go to My āśrama Badarikā; purify by touch and bathing in waters from My lotus feet; rid yourself of sin; perform austerities and return to the spiritual abode. The Lord names the next physical step.
BG 29.45
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus addressed by Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose intelligence destroys all the suffering of material life, Śrī Uddhava circumambulated the Lord and then fell down, placing his head upon the Lord’s feet. Although Uddhava was free from the influence of all material dualities, his heart was breaking, and at this time of departure he drenched the Lord’s lotus feet with his tears.
Essence. Thus addressed, Uddhava circumambulated the Lord and fell down placing his head on the Lord's feet — though free of attachment, he could not give up the Lord's company without inner difficulty. Even spiritual maturity grieves goodbye.
BG 29.46
Greatly fearing separation from Him for whom he felt such indestructible affection, Uddhava was distraught, and he could not give up the Lord’s company. Finally, feeling great pain, he bowed down to the Lord again and again, placed the slippers of his master upon his head, and departed.
Essence. Fearing separation from the dearly loved Lord, Uddhava was distraught, bowing repeatedly and finally placing the Lord's slippers on his head. Love invents postures.
BG 29.47
Thereupon, placing the Lord deeply within his heart, the great devotee Uddhava went to Badarikāśrama. By engaging there in austerities, he attained to the Lord’s personal abode, which had been described to him by the only friend of the universe, Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself.
Essence. Placing the Lord deeply in his heart, Uddhava went to Badarikāśrama, performed austerities, and attained His abode. The departure is generative, not terminal.
BG 29.48
Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose lotus feet are served by all great yoga masters, spoke to His devotee this nectarean knowledge, which comprises the entire ocean of spiritual bliss. Anyone within this universe who receives this narration with great faith is assured of liberation.
Essence. Lord Kṛṣṇa, served by yoga masters, spoke this nectarean knowledge — the entire ocean of spiritual bliss; anyone in the universe receiving it with great faith is assured of liberation. The whole text is offered as liberation insurance.
BG 29.49
I offer my obeisances to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original and greatest of all beings, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He is the author of the Vedas, and just to destroy His devotees’ fear of material existence, like a bee He has collected this nectarean essence of all knowledge and self-realization. Thus He has awarded to His many devotees this nectar from the ocean of bliss, and by His mercy they have drunk it.
Essence. Obeisances to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, original and greatest of beings, author of the Vedas, who like a bee collects nectarean essence to destroy His devotees' fear of material existence. The author and the gatherer of the text are one.