04.11 – From our place, at our pace, Krishna offers his embrace

Krishna’s love for all of us is so encompassing that he accepts us wherever we are. And he invites us to come towards him from there whatever pace we find suitable. The Bhagavad-gita (04.11) indicates that all people are on Krishna’s path.

Of course, the Bhagavad-gita (18.66) concludes by urging us to give up all other religions and surrender to him, for that can help us attain life’s supreme destination most easily. And the underlying principle of reciprocation with Krishna applies to whichever path we choose – He rewards us according to how we approach him.

This seeker-friendly reciprocity can be understood in two parts:

From our place: All of us at different stages in our spiritual evolution. According to our psychophysical nature, Gita wisdom offers us a multi-level spirituality wherein we can connect at whatever level we find comfortable.

At our pace: We can choose the gradual path of karma-kanda or jnana-kanda that requires less commitment and takes multiple lifetimes before we attain Krishna. Or we can choose the swift path of bhakti-yoga that asks us to commit our heart and in return propels us back to Krishna in just one brief lifetime.

How do serious spiritual seekers respond to this accommodating nature of Krishna? His flexibility inspires fidelity in them: “That Krishna is ready to connect us in whatever way we are ready to proves how much he loves us. If he is so eager to love us, why should we not reciprocate fully? Why should we settle for anything less than the best? Why not love him wholeheartedly and thereby let his love flood our whole heart?”

That’s how devotees recognize Krishna’s love for all and respond by preparing their heart to relish that extraordinary love to the fullest extent.

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As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛtha.