A promise from a friend

manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṃ namaskurumāmevaiṣyasi satyaṃ te pratijāne priyo’asi me

Keep your mind on Me, love Me, worship Me, bow to Me. You will come to Me. I promise, for you are dear to Me.

What it means

Krishna gives four simple steps. Think of me. Love me. Worship me. Bow to me. Then a promise, satyam te pratijane. I promise you truly. You will come to me. Why? Priyo si me. Because you are dear to me. It's the language of a friend, not a judge.

The story

Krishna rarely makes promises in the Gita. Here he does, plainly, to his closest friend. It's the warmest moment in the whole conversation.

In your life

Think of a grandparent who said, I'll always be with you, and somehow still is. Make one small promise to someone you love this week, and keep it.