A core teaching · devotional in mood · a little context helps
“Faith becomes firm where the devotee turns.”
Whatever form a devotee wants to worship with faith, I make that faith firm in that very form.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallywhatever · whatever · form · devotee · with faith · to worship · wants · for that very one · unshaken · faith · that itself · I make firm · I
Krishna says he strengthens a devotee's faith in whatever form that devotee wishes to worship.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Vijnana Yoga" (Knowledge and Wisdom).
Verse 21 sits in Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Vijnana Yoga, "Knowledge and Wisdom". The chapter has 30 verses in total.
You keep returning to the same prayer, the same image, the same practice, even when your mind wanders. What feels like your own devotion is being quietly strengthened.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts attention from judging other forms of devotion to seeing faith itself as something nurtured and deepened.
What this verse means
Krishna says he strengthens a devotee's faith in whatever form that devotee wishes to worship.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna hears Krishna explain why different worshippers turn toward different forms. Krishna says the inner steadiness behind that devotion is also supported by him, which prepares the next verse about how such worship bears fruit.
Why this verse still matters
You keep returning to the same prayer, the same image, the same practice, even when your mind wanders. What feels like your own devotion is being quietly strengthened.
“Faith is not random here; it is being shaped and steadied from within.”
Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses), shraddha (34 verses)