Devotion changes our inner home  – The Bhagavad-gita’s Chatur-Shloki (10.08-11) begins by stating that Krishna is the ultimate reality, loved by the enlightened (10.08). The next verse (10.09) states the characteristics of these enlightened devotees, the first being that they think of Krishna. Actually, the Sanskrit (mac-citta) is far more emphatic, which Srila Prabhupada aptly renders as, “The thoughts of my pure devotees dwell in me.”

This Gita verse stresses that devotion changes our inner home. Just as we have a physical home for our body, we all have an inner home for our thoughts. To know what that home is, we can observe ourselves: “What do we think of when we have nothing to think of? When we are doing something mechanical that doesn’t require much attention, what do our thoughts gravitate toward? What do we look forward to thinking about?” 

When we answer these questions honestly, we may discover that our inner home is money, sensual pleasure, family, sports, politics and so forth. All such objects are temporary and can offer us at best temporary shelter. Though we may need to think of them, we can’t let them become our inner homes, or we end up subjecting ourselves to inordinate uncertainty, insecurity and misery.

Gita wisdom asserts that Krishna is the best home for our thoughts. Why? Three reasons. First, he is the unchanging ultimate reality. Dwelling on him links us with an inalienable basis for inner security. Second, he is all-pure and all-purifying; dwelling on him helps us purge the impurities that misdirect our thoughts. Third, he is the all-attractive reservoir of pleasure. Dwelling on him gives us access to an inexhaustible source of sublime bliss. 

No wonder the devoted make Krishna their inner home.

One-sentence summary:

Devotees don’t just think about Krishna; they also make him the home for their thoughts, finding therein security, purity and joy. 

Think it over:

  • How can we know what our inner home is?
  • What’s wrong with most of our inner homes?
  • Why is Krishna the best home for our thoughts?

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10.09: The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.

Devotion changes our inner home

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