Man-mana Bhava Mad-bhakto (Bhagavad Gita 9.34) — Word-by-Word Meaning

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

मन्मनाः

mat-manāḥ

one whose mind is fixed on Me; always thinking of Me

भव

bhava

be, become

मद्भक्तः

mad-bhaktaḥ

My devotee

मद्याजी

mad-yājī

My worshipper; one who offers worship to Me

माम्

mām

to Me

नमस्कुरु

namaskuru

offer obeisances, bow down

माम् एव

mām eva

to Me alone, certainly to Me

एष्यसि

eṣhyasi

you shall come, you will attain

युक्त्वा

yuktvā

having united, having absorbed

एवम्

evam

thus, in this way

आत्मानम्

ātmānam

your self (mind and body)

मत्परायणः

mat-parāyaṇaḥ

having Me as the supreme goal; wholly devoted to Me

Complete Translation

Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer your obeisances to Me. Having thus united your whole self with Me, and taking Me as your supreme goal, you shall surely come to Me.

Origin & History

Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 34

Author: Spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna; recorded by Sage Veda Vyasa in the Mahabharata (Bhishma Parva)

Period: Ancient (part of the Mahabharata, traditionally dated to the Dvapara Yuga)

The ninth chapter of the Gita, Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, is called the Yoga of the Kingly Science and Kingly Secret, for it reveals the most confidential knowledge of devotion to the Supreme. After describing His glory and the ease of the path of loving worship, Krishna concludes the chapter with this verse — a complete and tender summary of bhakti. It is regarded as one of the clearest distillations of the devotional path in all of scripture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Man-mana Bhava Mad-bhakto mean?▼

It means 'Fix your mind on Me, be My devotee, worship Me, and bow down to Me; thus uniting yourself with Me and making Me your supreme goal, you will come to Me.' It is Krishna's complete teaching on devotion in Bhagavad Gita 9.34.

Why is this verse repeated in the Gita?▼

This same fourfold instruction appears again, almost word for word, in Bhagavad Gita 18.65 near the very end of the dialogue. Krishna repeats it to emphasize that loving devotion and surrender to Him is the essence and culmination of the entire Gita's teaching.

What are the four instructions in this verse?▼

Krishna gives four steps of devotion: (1) man-mana — fix the mind on Him; (2) mad-bhakta — become His devotee; (3) mad-yaji — worship Him; and (4) mam namaskuru — bow down to Him. Practicing these with Him as the supreme goal leads the devotee to attain Him.

What does 'mat-parayana' mean?▼

Mat-parayana means 'having Me as the supreme goal' or being wholly dependent on and dedicated to the Lord. It describes a devotee who has made Krishna the single highest aim of life, surrendering completely to Him.

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