The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

chapter nine
╭ The Royal Path
T his chapter p raises Krishna
as the Supreme Being who has created the world and dwells
immanent in his creation. Krishna’s exalted nature is stressed,
and warning is given to those who think that God is limited
to his creation. It is true that Krishna has taken on a human
form, but those who see only a limited human being and show
him disrespect are courting great spiritual harm. These verses
contain a warning for those who would underestimate Krishna’s
divine power.
In this chapter Krishna replaces the many gods and goddesses
of the usual Hindu pantheon, each of which represents
a different divine power; here Krishna is seen as containing
within himself all such powers. It is Krishna and Krishna
alone who is to be worshipped: he is the goal, the support, the
only refuge, the one true friend; he is the beginning and the
end (9:18).
It follows that those who practice a ritual religion, offering
the ritual sacrifices ordained by the Vedas, do not attain the
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