In the Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion, Arjuna declares that he will do Krishna’s will (18.73). This declaration is an expression of love, for love centers on the principle of pleasing the object of love. And love for Krishna, centered on pleasing him, leads us to what is best for us in two ways.
God’s pleasure is what is best for us: The Bhagavad-gita (15.07) explains that we all are parts of God eternally. By our very nature as parts, we are meant to lovingly harmonize with the Whole, Krishna. If we turn away from him, we are dragged by our mind and senses toward pursuits that are unproductive or counterproductive — and overall distressing. In contrast, when we practice bhakti-yoga diligently, cultivating his remembrance and striving to mold our life around his service, we experience the best fulfillment that life has to offer.
God’s pleasure is in what is best for us: Pleasing Krishna is not an activity that divorces us from our intelligence; indeed, the entire Gita is an appeal to human intelligence. After all, it is Krishna who has given us our intelligence; and he wants us to use it fully and fruitfully. A vital use of our intelligence is to gain self-understanding. That includes understanding what our natural, actually God-given, talents and interests are — and how we can best use them for making a tangible contribution in the world, or at least in our corner of the world. When we thus leverage our intelligence and other resources properly, Krishna is pleased that we are embracing and encashing the gifts he has given us, as indicated in his twice emphasizing that we work according to our nature (03.35,18.46).
One-sentence summary:
God’s pleasure is what is best for us and God’s pleasure is in what is best for us
Think it over:
- What does love center on? How is this reflected in the Gita’s conclusion?
- How is God’s pleasure best for us?
- How is God’s pleasure in what is best for us?
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18.73: Arjuna said: My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.
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Bhakti is GOD’s pleasure