Bhagavad Gita BG 4.11
Chapter 4, Verse 11 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् । मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥
ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham mama vartmanuvartante manushyah partha sarvasah
Meaning
As they approach Me, so I reward them. In all ways, humans follow My path, O Partha.
Understanding
The most inclusive verse in the chapter: ye yatha mam prapadyante — however people approach Me (in whatever way, with whatever understanding). Tathaiva bhajamy aham — in exactly that way I respond to them. The divine is not parochial; it meets each seeker where they are. And: mama vartmanuvartante manushyah sarvasah — all humans, in all their different paths, are following My path. Every sincere spiritual effort, whatever its form, is on the divine path.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यथा | yatha | in whatever way, however |
| प्रपद्यन्ते | prapadyante | they approach, they take refuge |
| भजामि | bhajami | I reward, I reciprocate, I serve |
| वर्त्म | vartma | path, way |
| सर्वशः | sarvasah | in all ways, completely |
| ये | ye | those who / they who |
| तम् | tam | them / those (in the very way they approach) |
| तथा | tathā | in that same way / accordingly |
| एव | eva | exactly / just so (I reciprocate) |
| अहम् | aham | I (reciprocate) |
| मम | mama | My (path) |
| अनुवर्तन्ते | anuvartante | follow / tread / walk along |
| मनुष्याः | manuṣyāḥ | human beings / people |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O Partha (Arjuna) |