Chapter 9, Verse 30
Raja Vidya Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
api—even; chet—if; su-durāchāraḥ—the vilest sinners; bhajate—worship; mām—me; ananya-bhāk—exclusive devotion; sādhuḥ—righteous; eva—certainly; saḥ—that person; mantavyaḥ—is to be considered; samyak—properly; vyavasitaḥ—resolve; hi—certainly; saḥ—that person
English translation
Even if the most sinful worships Me, with devotion to no one else, he should indeed be regarded as righteous, for he has rightly resolved.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 9.30
Commentary
Even if the most sinful worships Him with undivided heart; he too must indeed be deemed righteous for he has made the holy resolution to give up the evil ways of his life. Rogue Ratnakar became Valmiki by his holy resolution. Jagai and Madhai also became righteous devotees. Mary Magdalene a woman of illfame; became a pious woman. Sin vanishes when thoughts of God arise in the mind. Chandrayana and Kricchra Vratas will remove only certain particular sins but the remembrance of the Lord; thoughts of the Supreme Being; Japa and meditation; and Abheda Brahma Chintana (contemplation of Brahman with a nondualistic or Aham Brahmasmi or I am the Absolute attitute) will destroy the sins committed by a person even in hundred crores of Kalpas or ages. By abandoning the evil ways in his external life and by the force of his internal right resolution; he becomes righteous and attains eternal peace. (Cf. IV.36)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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