येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम्। ते द्वन्द्वमोहनिर्मुक्ता भजन्ते मां दृढव्रताः।।7.28।।
yeṣām tv antagatam pāpam janānām puṇyakarmaṇām te dvandva‑moha‑nirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍhavṛtāḥ
Translation
But those whose sins have been destroyed by the performance of pious deeds, being free from the delusion of duality, worship Me with firm determination.
Word Meanings
yeṣām — whose; tv — but; antagatam — completely eradicated; pāpam — sin; janānām — of the persons; puṇyakarmaṇām — of pious activities; te — they; dvandva — of duality; moha — delusion; nirmuktāḥ — free from; bhajante — engage in devotional service; māṁ — to Me; dṛḍhavṛtāḥ — with determination
Understanding the Verse
In this profound declaration of Lord Krishna, the focus shifts from the abstract knowledge of the divine to the practical outcome of sincere devotion. The verse begins with yeṣām, referring to a specific group of individuals – those whose past karmic burdens have been thoroughly eradicated. The word antagatam conveys a sense of total removal, indicating that the sinful impressions no longer reside within the consciousness of the aspirant. By describing the eradication as a result of puṇyakarmaṇām (pious or virtuous actions), the text emphasizes the transformative power of self‑purifying deeds. It is not merely external ritual that cleanses, but inner actions aligned with dharma that dissolve the accumulated pāpa.
Having been liberated from sin, these seekers attain a state described as dvandva‑moha‑nirmuktāḥ – free from the delusion of dualities. Dvandva denotes pairs such as pleasure‑pain, gain‑loss, or success‑failure, whose mental clinging fosters ignorance. When the mind no longer gravitates toward these opposites, the veil of moha (confusion) lifts, revealing the unchanging reality that underlies all phenomena. This freedom is essential for genuine bhakti because it removes the ego‑driven desire for personal gain, allowing devotion to be offered purely out of love rather than expectation.
Consequently, those who have attained this purified, non‑dual mindset naturally become steadfast devotees. The verb bhajante conveys a continuous, heartfelt worship of the Supreme. The object of devotion is Krishna himself, denoted by māṁ. The devotion described here is not a casual or intermittent practice; it is undertaken with dṛḍha‑vṛtāḥ – firm, unwavering resolve. This determination stems from the assurance that the Lord is both the source of liberation and the ultimate refuge. The devotee’s resolve is fortified by the experiential knowledge that past sins no longer bind them, and the illusory dualities that once clouded judgment have vanished.
The practical implications of this verse are profound for spiritual aspirants. It teaches that sincere engagement in righteous actions is the foundation for removing sin, which in turn dissolves the mental dualities that keep the seeker entrapped in samsara. Once those obstacles are cleared, the natural outcome is a direct, focused worship of the Divine with steady determination. This pathway is accessible to anyone willing to commit to dharmic conduct, making the verse an inspirational guide for those on the bhakti path.
In the larger context of Chapter 7, which discusses the nature of the divine and the various forms of worship, verse 28 serves as a bridge between knowledge and practice. While earlier verses elucidate the qualities of the Supreme, this verse underscores that true realization manifests when knowledge is embodied through purified action and unwavering devotion. It reassures the seeker that liberation is achievable not merely through intellectual comprehension, but through the transformative work of purifying one’s conduct and cultivating a steadfast, love‑filled relationship with the Divine.
