Chapter 4 - Sloka 11
ye yathā mām prapadyante tāms tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante manusyāh pārtha sarvaśah
Translation
ye = who; yatha = in whatever; mam = to Me; prapadyante = they
approach; tan = them; tatha = in the same manner; eva = even; bhajami
= reward; aham = I; mama = My; vartma = path; anuvartante = do follow;
manusyah = human beings; partha = Partha; sarvasah = in every way,
in all respects.
Meaning
"In whatever (manner) they approach Me, in the same
manner I reward them. O Partha, human beings follow My path in every
way.
Commentary
This verse gives the assurance that you can approach God
in any way you want and you will be rewarded suitably. God is like
a mirror. He is unconditional love, who reflects your thoughts,
desires and attitudes exactly as you want. He will not decide what
to give you, what you should want or what you should choose for
yourself. That responsibility rests with you. It is up to you whether
you approach him for material rewards, for spiritual liberation,
or for removal of obstacles and difficulties. Whatever want you
express to Him, He will manifest that for you. In this verse, you
have the assurance of God that He would not show any favoritism
or preference to certain groups, nations and religions. He is not
saying, “You follow this particular religion, prophet, scripture
or guru and I will liberate you.” He is not telling you that you
ought to follow Him against your wishes or in fear of Him. In these
few words, He has conveyed amply that He would not impose any conditions
upon you in how you may approach Him. You just have to knock on
His door with a request, intensely and sincerely, and you will be
rewarded. He will not decide what He should give you. You have to
decide what you want from Him and make that clear to Him with right
aspiration and faith.
However, since He does not interfere with your decisions, you
must be clear in your mind what you seek. Those who blame God for
not getting what they want are ignorant. They have to blame themselves
for their miseries because they do not know how to ask God and how
to pray to Him. If you are confused, confusion will prevail. If
you are doubtful, uncertainty will manifest. If you are afraid of
God, your fear of Him will grow and intensify. Approach Him as if
He is your friend and He will come to you as your friend. Approach
Him as if He is your guru and He will manifest your prayers through
your guru, even if your guru is false and ignorant. Approach Him
as if you are an atheist and He will strengthen your faith in that
conviction and make Himself invisible and unavailable you. Worship
Him in the form of an idol with complete faith and He will surely
manifest to you in those very idols, which others may mock and deride
as mere statues.
God is the manifesting power, who would not deny any request
and who is ever willing to help His worshippers in whatever way
they approach Him. He is the giver and the benefactor, who rewards
both the good and bad alike, according to their desires, thoughts,
fears and aspirations. Since there are no limits to what you may
ask and what He may give, you have to be careful about your prayers
and your wishes because ultimately what you seek is part of your
karma. If your intentions are clouded, you may pay the price ultimately.
