In the Bhagavad Gita (4.11), Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks these pivotal words:

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham

“As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly.”

While this verse is often interpreted through the lens of general justice or the various rungs of the yoga ladder, looking through the vision of Mahaprabhu and the Gosvāmīs reveals the deepest secret of the Rāgānugā-mārga. If Kṛṣṇa promises to reciprocate in exact proportion to the quality of one’s surrender, where does this lead us if we seek the ultimate goal?

The Logic of Reciprocity

Kṛṣṇa is bhakta-vatsala—He is controlled by the desires of His devotees. If someone worships Him as Master, He responds as Master. If someone loves Him as a friend, He plays with them as a friend.
But what happens when surrender takes the form of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s mood? Her surrender is absolute, boundless, and holds a monopoly over Kṛṣṇa’s heart. Since Kṛṣṇa must “reward accordingly,” He becomes the submissive servant of Her love.

The Gift of Mahaprabhu: Access to the Inner Circle

Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to bestow anarpita-carīṁ cirāt—that which had not been given for a long, long time: Mañjarī-bhāva (the mood of Rādhā’s maidservants).
Why is this the “highest path” in the context of ye yathā māṁ prapadyante?
Exclusive Shelter: The Mañjarīs do not seek direct shelter from Kṛṣṇa. Their entire Prapadyante (surrender) is directed at the lotus feet of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

Mirroring the Love:

Because Rādhā loves Kṛṣṇa more than anyone else, the reciprocation she receives from Him is the most intense. The Mañjarīs, being completely one with Rādhā’s desires, taste this exchange intimately.

Intimacy Without Barriers:

A baddha-jīva (conditioned soul) who, by the grace of Guru, is initiated into the path of Rāgānugā-bhakti, does not strive to enjoy Kṛṣṇa for themselves. The goal is to support and facilitate Rādhā’s love.
Why Mañjarī-bhāva is the Ultimate Goal
When Kṛṣṇa says that “everyone follows My path in all respects,” it implies that all spiritual endeavors eventually culminate in the fountainhead of love.

For us as aspiring Gaudiya Vaishnavas, this means the highest “reward” Kṛṣṇa can give is not liberation (mukti) or the opulence of Vaikuṇṭha. The highest reward is to be placed in the service of the one who loves Him most.
By serving Rādhā (Rādhā-dāsyam), the Mañjarīs gain access to an ocean of bliss that even Kṛṣṇa Himself struggles to fully comprehend. This is the “corresponding reward” for a soul that has given up everything for the happiness of the Divine Couple.

Conclusion: BG 4.11 is not just a rule of cause and effect; it is an invitation. When we join the path of the Vraja-vāsīs and serve under the guidance of the Mañjarīs, we take Kṛṣṇa at His word. We give Him our best—our desire to serve Rādhā—and He gives us His best: a place in His most confidential līlā.
Radhe Radhe!