If we read the Bhagavad-gita’s Chatur-shloki (its four-verse summary:10.08-11), it becomes evident that its essential theme is bhakti-yoga. And this yoga of love centers on a relationship between devotees and Krishna. Relationships are defined by loving reciprocations between the two people involved. Therefore, it’s apt to analyze the Gita’s four nutshell verses in terms of reciprocation between Krishna and his devotees. And as it turns out, the division and progression of these four verses lends itself to a natural analysis in terms of reciprocations. Let’s see how. 

 The Chatur-Shloki Gita’s first two verses describe what the devotees do for Krishna and the last two verses describe what Krishna does for the devotees. 

What the devotees do for Krishna (10.08-09)

  • Cultivating knowledge and practicing wholehearted devotion (10.08)
  • Offering their entire being through body, mind and words (10.09)

What Krishna does for his devotees (10.10-11)

  • Providing knowledge to help in choosing wisely and attaining him (10.10)
  • Dissipating the darkness of ignorance with the torchlight of knowledge: (10.11) 

These two sets of verses are linked through the first half of 10.10, which describes how devotees engage with Krishna: affectionately (priti-purvakam). This specification stresses that the nature of the devotee-Lord interaction is not just functional, as in a ritual worshiper praying to get something from God. The reciprocation is personal, in the sense that devotees already have a loving bond with Krishna. And Krishna reciprocates by compassionately providing them whatever they need to come closer to him, illustrated herein by his providing them knowledge. 

One-sentence summary:

The Chatur-Shloki Gita reflects the reciprocal dynamism of bhakti-yoga, describing how devotees lovingly offer their everything to Krishna and how Krishna provides them everything they need for their journey toward purification and liberation. 

Think it over:

  • How does the Chatur-Shloki reflect the reciprocity of bhakti-yoga?
  • What does the Chatur-Shloki specify about the nature of reciprocation in bhakti-yoga?
  • How can you envision your practices of bhakti-yoga in terms of personal reciprocation with Krishna?

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10.10: To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image