“Whatever you do, eat, offer, give, or practice in austerity, O Arjuna, do it as an offering to Me.”
Key Teaching: Offer all actions, food, gifts, and austerities to Krishna.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga.
Description:
Krishna teaches that whatever Arjuna does, eats, offers, gives, or practices in austerity should be offered to him. This verse, continuing 9.26, addresses Arjuna’s need to integrate devotion into action (2.9). The themes of guidance, as Krishna instructs, dharma, as he clarifies dedicated action, and Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, as he emphasizes offering everything, are central.
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s attachment to outcomes (1.28–46) contrasts with Duryodhana’s selfcentered actions (1.3–11). Krishna urges Arjuna to dedicate all actions for his Kshatriya duty, aligning with Karma Yoga (2.47, 9.26). Offering transforms actions.
Philosophically, this verse addresses the human separation of action and spirituality, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on dedication (3.30). Arjuna’s reluctance complicates his dharma, necessitating Krishna’s guidance to offer all to him. The theme of Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga underscores the Gita’s focus on devotional action.
Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s teaching objectively, emphasizing its practical clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s actions, where offering ensures sanctity. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers for performing duty with dedicated devotion, aligning with liberation.
Discover more from Online Gita
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.