The real peace formula

Chapter five of the Gītā brings us a description of the process of devotional service. It is concluded in a verse where Kṛṣṇa summarizes most of the book, bringing us the real formula for peace.

At the beginning of the Gītā, Arjuna was inclined to abandon the battlefield and adopt a process of dry renunciation. This was counteracted by Kṛṣṇa in chapters two and three, by His exposition of analytical knowledge, and the process of karma-yoga. In chapter four, however, Kṛṣṇa appears to again glorify knowledge and renunciation, which many are predisposed to interpret as abstaining from activity.

Arjuna then starts the 5th chapter with another honest inquiry: what is better after all? To renounce work (sannyasa) or to act in devotional service? Kṛṣṇa answers that devotional service is the best process, for it allows us to use our senses in ways that free ourselves from material bondage instead of binding us more and more. A devotee does not need to artificially restrict eating like an ascetic; we just has to eat only prasadām. We don’t need to remain silent, we just need to speak about Kṛṣṇa, and so on.

This description of the process of devotional service, which comes as a result of the cultivation of transcendental knowledge (starting with the acceptance of a spiritual master) is concluded in text 5.29, a verse that summarizes much of what Kṛṣṇa describes up to here in the Gītā:

bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ, sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ, jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

“A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.”

This is the true peace formula, at all levels. In the material world, people want peace, but they have no idea of how to achieve that. On the contrary, we see conflict at all levels. Even in the celestial planets, there is enmity, war, and misery caused by it. Kṛṣṇa shares three realizations that solve the problem.

a) bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasām: Kṛṣṇa is the real beneficiary and enjoyer of all sacrifices and austerities. He is the root of all existence. We should not perform sacrifices or austerities for our own prestige or gain. Instead, all activities should be performed for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. This eliminates artificial competition based on ego.

Since Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate beneficiary, everyone works together for him, instead of against each other. More than that, by working in this spirit, all our sacrifices will culminate in transcendental knowledge, as Kṛṣṇa declared in chapter four.

b) sarva-loka-maheśvaram: Kṛṣṇa is the supreme proprietor. He is the master of all planets and their controllers, greater than anyone. This realization defeats the illusory sense of ownership that is the root cause of all conflicts. A materialist thinks he is the lord of everything he sees, but in reality, he is just a slave of his senses. When the proper conclusion is restored, we can finally see everything properly, just like when the sun appears to dispel the darkness of night. Conversely, when we refuse the service of Kṛṣṇa, we end up being enslaved by material nature.

c) suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām: Kṛṣṇa is the closest friend of all living entities, the well-wisher of all. Therefore, surrendering to Him is not our loss, but our welfare. This also explains how a pure devotee can be friendly to all living entities. Kṛṣṇa is the supreme friend, and a pure devotee is his representative.

These three realizations work together. If Kṛṣṇa were simply the proprietor, we would fear, or maybe envy, Him. If He were only the enjoyer, one could feel exploited. But because He is the supreme friend, surrendering to Him becomes natural. Once Kṛṣṇa is accepted as the dearmost friend, the fact that He is the supreme proprietor and enjoyer becomes a distant secondary detail. That’s how Kṛṣṇa’s cowherd associates in Goloka see it. They understand that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Controller, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but this knowledge is eclipsed by their love for Kṛṣṇa as a friend. They love Kṛṣṇa because of their personal relationship with Him, not as a powerful person or celebrity.

Kṛṣṇa then concludes the verse with jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati. One who fully understands these three facts becomes situated in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness and attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. This is a summary of the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness that Kṛṣṇa explains from chapter two and deepens in the following chapters.

---

This is a publication for thoughtful readers who want to go deeper into Kṛṣṇa consciousness. I publish daily, trying to offer high-quality spiritual content, and all posts are available to free subscribers. If you wish, you can also choose a paid subscription to support this work.

You can also receive the updates on WhatsApp or Telegram.
If you would like to contribute further, you can find the donation links here.