GitaChapter 12Verse 7

Gita 12.7

Bhakti Yoga

तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् | भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम् ||७||

teṣām ahaṁ samuddhartā mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt | bhavāmi na cirāt pārtha mayy āveśita-cetasām ||7||

In essence: Krishna's magnificent promise: 'I personally deliver My devotees from the ocean of death and rebirth—and I do so quickly.'

A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply

Sadhak-Guru Dialogue

Sadhak: "This sounds too good to be true. I just absorb my mind in Krishna and He does the rest?"

Guru: "Don't underestimate what 'absorbing the mind' means. It is not casual remembrance but total absorption. Can you absorb your mind completely in anything for even one hour? This is not a low bar—but it is a different bar than perfect karma or perfect jnana."

Sadhak: "Why would Krishna promise to deliver someone who merely thinks of Him?"

Guru: "Because He loves. Love does not ask 'What have you earned?' It asks 'How can I give?' A mother doesn't rescue her drowning child because the child deserves it but because she loves. Krishna's promise reveals the nature of Divine love."

Sadhak: "What is this 'ocean of death and rebirth'? I thought Hindus accept reincarnation positively."

Guru: "Reincarnation is real, but it is not the goal. It is the condition that needs transcending. Would you want to repeat school endlessly, even if each year were comfortable? The soul seeks graduation—not into another classroom but into infinite freedom. That is moksha."

Sadhak: "The word 'soon' bothers me. I've been practicing for years and nothing has happened soon."

Guru: "'Soon' is from the Divine perspective, which sees lifetimes. But more importantly—have you truly absorbed your mind in Krishna? Or have you thought about Him occasionally while your mind remained absorbed in work, relationships, anxieties? Honest assessment is the first step."

Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.

🌅 Daily Practice

🌅 Morning

Begin the day with the recognition: 'I cannot cross this ocean of samsara alone. Krishna, You are my deliverer.' This is not weakness but wisdom. It shifts the burden from isolated ego to Divine partnership.

☀️ Daytime

When you feel overwhelmed by the 'ocean' of responsibilities, problems, or fears, remember: 'The Deliverer is present.' You are not alone in this vast sea. Krishna has promised to lift those who turn to Him. Let this promise provide real comfort in real difficulties.

🌙 Evening

Practice 'āveśita-cetasām'—absorption of mind. Before sleep, withdraw attention from the day's events and let it rest in Krishna. Use an image, a name, a quality, or His presence. Even five minutes of genuine absorption is more valuable than hours of distracted remembrance. Let His promise be your security as you enter sleep.

Common Questions

If Krishna delivers devotees, does that mean effort is unnecessary?
The effort is in the absorption of mind—and that requires tremendous practice. What's unnecessary is the additional effort of crossing the ocean by oneself. The devotee's effort is to love; Krishna's response is to save. Think of it like a child learning to swim: the child makes effort to reach the parent, and the parent lifts the child. Both participate, but the lifting is done by the parent.
Does this mean only Krishna devotees are saved, and followers of other paths are doomed?
Krishna has already confirmed (verse 4) that those on the formless path also reach Him. This verse describes the special mechanism of devotional salvation, not the only mechanism. The Gita is inclusive about destinations while being specific about methods. All sincere paths reach the Divine; devotion provides special access to Divine grace.
What does 'without delay' mean? Many devotees suffer their whole lives without liberation.
Liberation is not measured by external circumstances. A devotee in prison can be inwardly free; a king in a palace can be inwardly bound. 'Without delay' means the moment genuine absorption occurs, the liberation process begins—even if external life continues. Also, for a reality that spans infinite lifetimes, even several decades is 'soon.'