Many of us turn toward God after we have tried everything else in our quest to be happy and it all has left us disappointed. Remarkably, Krishna accepts us when we turn to him as our last option; he appreciates us as good souls (07.16: sukritinah). 

To understand what’s so remarkable about Krishna’s acceptance, consider an example. Suppose a boy proposes to a girl, “Please marry me.” When she asks why, suppose he replies, “I have asked every other girl in town; none of them agreed. That’s why I have come to you.” The girl would not consider this to be the most flattering of proposals; far from it, she might feel insulted and reject the proposal. Only if she were very much in love with that boy would she accept. Similarly, Krishna’s appreciative acceptance of us even though we were his last choice shows his immense love for us: he overlooks why we came to him and focuses on the fact that we came to him. 

When we connect with Krishna devotionally, we evolve spiritually. And we comprehend more and more the extent of his love for us — and especially how supremely attractive and loveable he is. Comprehending that inspires us to choose him as our preferred object of love, even when we have the option to love other things and enjoy therein. By such prioritization, we express our love for him. Those who thus focus their love on Krishna rise from being good souls to becoming great souls (07.19: mahatmas). Gita wisdom with its central message of bhakti-yoga stands ready to guide us toward making Krishna our first love.  

One-sentence summary: 

When Krishna accepts us even though we turn to him as our last choice, his acceptance shows his love for us; when we turn to him as our first choice, our prioritization shows our love for him. 

Think it over: 

  • How does Krishna’s appreciative acceptance of us show his love for us?
  • As we evolve spiritually, how does our vision of Krishna change?
  • How can we show our love for Krishna? 

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07.19: After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

 

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