Lord Krishna
Divine TeacherThe Supreme Lord, the charioteer and divine guide of Arjuna. Krishna delivers the eternal wisdom of the Gita, revealing the nature of the soul, duty, and the path to liberation.
Speaking: Chapter 9, Verse 30
Verse 30
The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret
Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.
Context & Meaning
One of the most radical and merciful verses in scripture. Even the worst sinner — if they have turned wholeheartedly to the Divine with undivided devotion — should be regarded as saintly, because the direction of their soul is right. The past does not determine the future when the entire being has turned toward the light. This is the revolutionary promise of bhakti.
Scholar Commentaries
1 commentary · Public domainMadhvacharya
DvaitaSamyagvyavasita — properly resolved — is the key phrase. The resolution of the whole being toward God is itself the transformation. Past conduct, however terrible, is overridden by present surrender. This is the grace that shatters all categories of deserving.