Everyone reaches the highest

māṃ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye’api syuḥ pāpayonayaḥstriyo vaiśyāstathā śūdrāste’api yānti parāṃ gatim

Taking refuge in Me, Partha, even those born in hard circumstances, women, traders and labourers, reach the highest goal.

What it means

This verse needs honesty. Its wording reflects the hierarchies of its ancient world, which excluded women and labouring classes from sacred learning. Many find that wording painful today. But its message cuts against those hierarchies. Everyone who turns to Krishna, of any birth or gender, reaches the highest.

The story

In a society that told many people they couldn't approach the sacred, Krishna says, they all can. Women, workers, the despised. Mirabai, a woman saint, and many devotees of humble birth would later prove it.

In your life

Think of any group once told they couldn't lead, study or worship, and who did it brilliantly anyway. The highest is open to everyone. Never let anyone tell you, or others, that it isn't.