FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 10.9

మచ్చ‍ిత్తా మద్గ‍తప్రాణా బోధయన్త: పరస్పరమ్ । కథయన్తశ్చ మాం నిత్యం తుష్యన్తి చ రమన్తి చ ॥ ౯ ॥
mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
[mach-chittaa mad-gata-praanaa]
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
[bodhayantah parasparam]
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
[kathayantash cha maam nityam]
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca
[tushyanti cha ramanti cha]
Word-for-word
mat - cittāḥ — their minds fully engaged in Me mat - gata - prāṇāḥ — their lives devoted to Me bodhayantaḥ — preaching parasparam — among themselves kathayantaḥ — talking ca — also mām — about Me nityam — perpetually tuṣyanti — become pleased ca — also ramanti — enjoy transcendental bliss ca — also .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
mat - cittāḥ
their minds fully engaged in Me
mat - gata - prāṇāḥ
their lives devoted to Me
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
bodhayantaḥ
preaching
parasparam
among themselves
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
kathayantaḥ
talking
ca
also
mām
about Me
nityam
perpetually
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca
tuṣyanti
become pleased
ca
also
ramanti
enjoy transcendental bliss
ca
also .
Important Words
  • mat - cittāḥ — their minds fully engaged in Me
    Compound: mat (My) + cittāḥ (whose consciousness). Not 'thinking of Me occasionally' but a settled orientation of citta. The mind's default direction has been rewired toward Kṛṣṇa.
  • mat - gata - prāṇāḥ — their lives devoted to Me
    Compound: mat + gata (gone into) + prāṇāḥ (life-airs). The very breathing has migrated into Kṛṣṇa. Devotion has reached the autonomic system — even the involuntary functions are oriented.
  • bodhayantaḥ — preaching, enlightening
    Causative of budh — 'causing to wake up.' Devotees do not hoard the awakening; they wake one another. The verse establishes the inherently social nature of advanced bhakti.
  • kathayantaḥ — talking
    From kath, 'to tell.' The root of kathā — sacred narrative. Plain conversation about Kṛṣṇa is given the same status as formal worship. The mouth is a temple.
  • tuṣyanti — become pleased
    From tuṣ. The same root as tuṣṭi (satisfaction). The conversation itself is the reward — devotees are not satisfied after talking but in the talking.
  • ramanti — enjoy transcendental bliss
    From ram — the same root as Rāma, 'one who gives delight.' Bliss is not a side-effect of devotee company; it is its substance. Where two or three are gathered in His name, ramaṇa is already present.
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
Purport

Pure devotees, whose characteristics are mentioned here, engage themselves fully in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Their minds cannot be diverted from the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. Their talks are solely on the transcendental subjects. The symptoms of the pure devotees are described in this verse specifically. Devotees of the Supreme Lord are twenty-four hours daily engaged in glorifying the qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Their hearts and souls are constantly submerged in Kṛṣṇa, and they take pleasure in discussing Him with other devotees. In the preliminary stage of devotional service they relish the transcendental pleasure from the service itself, and in the mature stage they are actually situated in love of God. Once situated in that transcendental position, they can relish the highest perfection which is exhibited by the Lord in His abode. Lord Caitanya likens transcendental devotional service to the sowing of a seed in the heart of the living entity. There are innumerable living entities traveling throughout the different planets of the universe, and out of them there are a few who are fortunate enough to meet a pure devotee and get the chance to understand devotional service. This devotional service is just like a seed, and if it is sown in the heart of a living entity, and if he goes on hearing and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, that seed fructifies, just as the seed of a tree fructifies with regular watering. The spiritual plant of devotional service gradually grows and grows until it penetrates the covering of the material universe and enters into the brahma-jyotir effulgence in the spiritual sky. In the spiritual sky also that plant grows more and more until it reaches the highest planet, which is called Goloka Vṛndāvana, the supreme planet of Kṛṣṇa. Ultimately, the plant takes shelter under the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and rests there. Gradually, as a plant grows fruits and flowers, that plant of devotional service also produces fruits, and the watering process in the form of chanting and hearing goes on. This plant of devotional service is fully described in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Madhya-līlā, Chapter Nineteen). It is explained there that when the complete plant takes shelter under the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, one becomes fully absorbed in love of God; then he cannot live even for a moment without being in contact with the Supreme Lord, just as a fish cannot live without water. In such a state, the devotee actually attains the transcendental qualities in contact with the Supreme Lord. The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is also full of such narrations about the relationship between the Supreme Lord and His devotees; therefore the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is very dear to the devotees, as stated in the Bhāgavatam itself (12.13.18). Śrīmad-bhāgavataṁ purāṇam amalaṁ yad vaiṣṇavānāṁ priyam. In this narration there is nothing about material activities, economic development, sense gratification or liberation. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the only narration in which the transcendental nature of the Supreme Lord and His devotees is fully described. Thus the realized souls in Kṛṣṇa consciousness take continual pleasure in hearing such transcendental literatures, just as a young boy and girl take pleasure in association.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
9. With minds greedy for Me, being completely dependent on Me, mutually hearing about Me, and singing about Me, they continuously experience satisfaction and enjoyment.
Commentary

Such ananya-bhaktas, who have attained spiritual intelligence (buddhi-yoga) by My mercy, attain factual knowledge of Me mentioned previously, which is hard to understand.

Their minds are greedy for My form, name, qualities pastimes and the taste of sweetness (mac-cittāḥ). They are unable to maintain their lives without Me (mad-gata-prāṇāḥ), just as men are completely dedicated to food (anna-gata-prāṇa-nara), since they depend on it to live. They explain to each other with friendliness about the types of bhakti and the real nature of bhakti (bodhayantaḥ). They talk about Me, a great ocean of very sweet form, qualities and pastimes (kathayantaḥ) and glorify Me by narrating about My form, qualities and pastimes. Since smaraṇa (mac-cittāḥ), śravaṇa (bodhayantaḥ) and kīrtana (kathayantaḥ) are the best among all types of bhakti, they have been specifically mentioned here. Thus, by this bhakti alone, these devotees are satisfied and experience happiness. This is the mysterious aspect of bhakti. [Note: Materialists cannot understand how devotees can enjoy without dependence on external material stimulation.] Or the meaning of “satisfaction and enjoyment” can be as follows. They are satisfied even at the stage of sādhana, by continual performance of their worship brought about by good fortune, and they take pleasure in thinking of their future attainment of prema, and enjoy with their Lord through the mind. This interpretation indicates rāgānuga-bhakti.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
9. With minds absorbed in Me, completely dependent on Me, mutually informing each other about Me and speaking about Me, they continuously experience satisfaction and enjoyment.
Commentary

This verse describes the process of bhakti. They are absorbed in remembering Me (mat cittā). They cannot maintain their lives without Me, like fish cannot live without water (mad gata prāṇa). They reveal to each other My form, qualities and beauty (bodhayantaḥ parasparam). They speak about Me, an ocean affection for the devotee, about My extremely variegated pastimes. In this way, by worship in the form of remembering, hearing and chanting, they are satisfied (tuṣyanti), as if drinking nectar. They enjoy this (ramanti), just as a young boy enjoys the smiling glances of a young girl.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Translation
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me. (com) What type of bhajan do they do when they render service? Pure devotional service. Visvanath: "Such unalloyed devotee attains knowledge about Me, which is rare, and their minds become completely eager to hear My names and pastimes and their life airs have come to Me. (Without Me they cannot maintain their lives). This is their food. And they talk with great love with each other about devotional service and they loudly chant My names and describe My pastimes, form, and attributes in loud kirtan." After this, the result is tustani (became satisfied with great pleasure. They understand devotional service is only pleasure. Or when performing sadhana with good *** with no obstacles become satisfied in sadhana, and attain ramante‑raghanuga bhakti). Intensely desiring to hear ‑ bhodayantah porasparam Baladev: "They meditate on Me and can't live without Me, as fish can't live without water. It is like an ocean of devotional service, chanting, hearing, remembering, takes great pleasure in these as a young man enjoys the beauty of a young girl. (refers to conjugal‑ramante)
Commentary

The result of knowing Krsna is that a devotee cannot maintain his life, even for a second. without Krsna, because of the love that he devellops for Him. Just like a fish cannot remain out of the water, the devotee cannot remain out of Krsna consciousness. Then, what is Krsna's reciprocation with those devotees?

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study Key verse
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Symptoms of a pure devotee – Krishna becomes his life and soul and he constantly hears about and

discusses Krishna

“Thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me”
“Life fully devoted to My service”
“They derive great satisfaction and bliss always conversing about Me”
Focus of Learning

(a) Two stages of devotional service

Preliminary stage – They relish the transcendental pleasure from the service itself
Mature stage – They are always situated in Love of God and thus relish the highest perfection, which is exhibited by the Lord in His abode

(b) Analogy: Bhakti-lata-bija – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu compares transcendental devotional

service to sowing of a seed in the heart of a living entity (Ref. Madhya-lila Chapter 19)

Rare fortune to get the seed – Innumerable living entities are travelling all over the universe – Few fortunate ones meet a pure devotee and get a chance to practice devotional service (“Brahmanda brahmita…”)
Watering of the seed – hearing and chanting Hare Krishna
Seed fructifies and grows – penetrates the covering of material universe
Reaches Brahmajyoti and grows more
Final destination – Reaches the highest planet Goloka Vrindavan and take shelter under the lotus feet of Krishna and rests there
Gradually bears fruits and flowers and watering process goes on
Full absorption – Thus one becomes fully absorbed in Love of Godhead
Cannot live a moment without Lord – At this stage devotee attains transcendental qualities in contact with the Lord
Analogy: Just like fish cannot live without water

(b) References for Krishna being the source of all demigods including Lord Brahma and Lord Siva:

Gopala Tapani Upanisad – Krishna in the beginning gave knowledge to Brahma
Narayana Upanisad – Supreme person Narayana desired to create living entities Thus Brahmaji, 25 Patriarchs, Indra, 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras and 12 Adityas born. Narayana is an expansion of Krishna
Maha Upanisad – In the beginning of creation there was only one Supreme Personality, Narayana
Moksha Dharma – Krishna says Patriarchs, Shiva and others are created by Him, although they do not know so, because they are deluded by His illusory energy
Varaha Purana – Narayana is the Supreme Personality of Godhead from whom Lord Brahma and further Lord Shiva is born

(c) Recommendations for Krishna Conscious persons –

Avoid unauthorized commentaries on Bhagavad-gita
Fools say ‘Krishna’ as ordinary men
Thus one should proceed in Krishna Consciousness with determination
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
10.9 Maccittah, with minds fixed on Me; mad-gata-pranah, with lives (pranas) dedicated to Me, or having their organs, eyes etc. absorbed in Me, i.e. having their organs withdrawn into Me; bodhayantah, enlightening; parasparam, each other; and nityam, always; kathayantah, speaking of; mam, Me, as possessed of alities like knowledge, strength, valour, etc; tusyanti, they derive satisfaction; and ramanti, rejoice, get happiness, as by coming in contact with a dear one.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
10.9 They live with their minds 'focussed' on Me, namely, with their minds fixed on Me; with their 'Pranas', i.e., life, centred on Me - the meaning is that they are unable to sustain themselves without Me. They 'inspire one another' by speaking about My attributes which have been experienced by them and narrating My divine and adorable deeds. They live in contentment and bliss at all times. The speakers are delighted by their own speech, because it is spontaneous, without any ulterior motive; the listeners too feel the speech to be unsurpassingly and incomparably dear to them. They thus live in bliss.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
10.9 See Comment under 10.11
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
10.9 With their mind and their life wholly absorbed in Me, enlightening each other and ever speaking of Me, they are satisfied and delighted.
Commentary

10.9 मच्चित्ताः with their minds wholly in Me? मद्गतप्राणाः with their life absorbed in Me? बोधयन्तः,enlightening? परस्परम् mutually? कथयन्तः speaking of? च and? माम् Me? नित्यम् always? तुष्यन्ति are satisfied? च and? रमन्ति (they) are delighted? च and.Commentary The characteristics of a devotee who has attained the realisation of oneness are described in this verse. The devotee constantly thinks of the Lord. His very life is absorbed in Him. He has consecrated his whole life to the Lord. According to another interpretation? all his senses (which function because of the Prana)? such as the eye are absorbed in Him. He takes immense delight in talking about Him? about His supreme wisdom? power? might and other attributes. He has completely dedicated himself to the Lord.He feels intense satisfaction and is delighted as if he is in the company of his Beloved (God). The Purana says? The sum total of the sensual pleasures of this world and also all the great pleasures of the divine regions (heavens) are not worth a sixteenth part of that bliss which proceeds from the eradication of desires and cravings. (Cf.XII.8)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
10.9 With minds fixed on Me, with lives dedicated to Me, enlightening each other, and always speaking of Me, they derive satisfaction and rejoice.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
10.9 With minds concentrated on Me, with lives absorbed in Me, and enlightening each other, they ever feel content and happy.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 9.14 BG 12.8 BG 18.65 SB 3.25.25 SB 11.3.30 SB 1.2.12 CC Ādi 1.58 CC Madhya 22.131 CC Antya 20.26 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.2.3BRS 1.2.91
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me; their lives are surrendered to Me — they derive great satisfaction enlightening one another about Me.
Practical Applications
  • Cultivate sat-saṅga that dwells on Kṛṣṇa.
  • Take satisfaction in mutually enlightening conversation.
  • Reduce time in conversations that don't dwell on Him.
Reflection Questions
  • What recent conversation enlightened me about Him?
  • What conversations starved that enlightenment?
Analogy

A fire passed from torch to torch grows brighter at each touch — no torch is diminished, and the night recedes wider. So devotees who talk of Kṛṣṇa among themselves do not consume one another's joy; they multiply it, and a small gathering brightens out into bliss.

Stories
The Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana

Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa, and Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa lived in caves and under trees in sixteenth-century Vṛndāvana. They had renounced family, wealth, and reputation. What did they do all day?

They wrote about Kṛṣṇa, debated the moods of the gopīs, sang to one another, and chanted. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta records their meetings as exactly what this verse describes — kathayantaḥ ca mām, talking constantly of Him — and the same source records their unbroken bliss in the midst of austerity. Their poverty was not noticed because the conversation was full.

The Bhāgavata assembly at Naimiṣāraṇya

Sūta Gosvāmī sat with Śaunaka and other sages for a long sacrifice. In the intervals they did not gossip; they asked for Kṛṣṇa-kathā. From those questions and answers the Bhāgavatam itself took its received form.

The verse's phrase bodhayantaḥ parasparam — 'enlightening one another' — is the Naimiṣa assembly in miniature. They drew bliss from the topic and a scripture for the ages from the discussion.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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