9.15 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 9, Verse 15

In the fifteenth verse of the Bhagavad Gita's ninth chapter, Krishna turns his attention to those who worship through the path of knowledge, employing what is called the sacrifice of wisdom, or jñāna-yajña. Unlike direct devotees who recognize Krishna's personal form as the Supreme, these seekers approach Him through varied philosophical and conceptual routes, nonetheless connecting with the divine in their own ways.

Some worshipers, Krishna says, see Him as undivided spiritual oneness—ekatvena. To them, there is no separation between their soul and the Absolute; they meditate upon the unity of all being and the singularity of spiritual existence. This vision aligns with the monistic philosophy that underlies much of Vedantic thought, where the ultimate truth is perceived as a seamless, all-pervading spiritual reality. The boundaries between the worshiper and the worshiped dissolve, and liberation is sought by realizing this profound oneness.

Others, described as worshiping prithaktvena, perceive the divine as manifesting in countless forms, each representing an aspect or function of the Supreme. Such individuals might honor various deities in nature—the sun, the moon, rivers, or celestial beings—regarding all as manifestations or energies belonging to the one divine source. This approach mirrors the rich polytheistic traditions of ancient India, where each divine form is seen as a unique expression of the underlying Absolute, even if the connection to Krishna as the ultimate origin is not fully understood by the worshiper.

A third group, worshiping through viśvato-mukham, reveres the divine in the vastness of the cosmos itself. Here, the universe, with all its mountains, rivers, stars, and creatures, is seen as the body of God. In the grandeur and endless variety of the material world, these worshipers find the signs and presence of the Supreme, meditating upon the universal form (viśvarūpa) described later in the Gita. Every element of creation becomes worthy of reverence, as each is an aspect of Krishna’s omnipresent being.

Despite the differences in these approaches—oneness, multiplicity, and universality—they are all methods by which individuals attempt to draw closer to the ultimate truth. Krishna explicitly recognizes and honors the sincerity and endeavor of these seekers, even if their understanding of His supreme personality is yet incomplete. He is, in a sense, both the object and the spirit behind all these forms of worship, accepting the devotion offered through knowledge and contemplation as legitimate and valuable.

There is a subtle yet significant distinction, however, between these indirect paths and the path of direct devotion (bhakti). The worship through knowledge—whether seeing all as one, or as many, or as the whole universe—tends to remain conceptual and philosophical. While such practices can purify the mind and elevate understanding, they often fall short of the intimacy and sweetness found in personal devotion to Krishna’s eternal form. Bhakti, as emphasized elsewhere in the Gita, is presented as the culmination of spiritual paths, where love and direct relationship with the divine become possible.

Still, Krishna’s words in this verse are profoundly inclusive. He suggests that every earnest effort to approach the divine—whether through unity, diversity, or universalism—is in some way received and reciprocated by Him. The diversity of spiritual inclinations is not seen as a division, but as a testament to the divine’s all-accommodating nature. Each practitioner, according to their temperament, understanding, and background, finds a suitable way to connect with the infinite, and Krishna assures that none of these approaches is disregarded.

Thus, the essence of this verse is a message of unity within diversity. The Supreme is both the undivided oneness, the manifold many, and the all-encompassing universe. Whichever path a seeker takes—be it abstract meditation, symbolic worship, or universal contemplation—it is ultimately a journey toward communion with the same divine reality. The Gita, through Krishna’s teaching, encourages respectful appreciation of all sincere spiritual efforts, while gently guiding souls toward the completeness found in personal, loving devotion.