Interpretation

The culminating instruction of Chapter 9 — and one of the most beloved passages in the Gita. Four practices, four aspects of complete devotion: (1) manmana bhava — have a mind full of Me; (2) madbhakto — be My devotee; (3) mad-yaji — worship Me; (4) mam namaskuru — bow down to Me (offer surrender). The result: mamevaisyasi — you shall come to Me alone. And the closing assurance: yuktva — having united yourself thus; mat-parayanah — with Me as your supreme goal. And implicitly (stated explicitly in 18.65): 'I promise you truly, for you are dear to Me.' The chapter closes with the most direct expression of divine love in the entire scripture.