Day 35
ईश्वरः सवभूतानां हृ ेशेऽजुन ितष्ठित।
ामयन्सवभूतािन या रूढािन मायया।। 18.61 ।।
ामयन्सवभूतािन या रूढािन मायया।। 18.61 ।।
īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ hṛddeśe'rjuna tiṣṭhati ।
bhrāmayansarvabhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā ।। 18.61 ।।
bhrāmayansarvabhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā ।। 18.61 ।।
Detailed Meaning: Lord Krishna reveals that the Supreme Lord, the Ishvara, resides in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjuna. He causes all beings to revolve, as if mounted on a machine, by His divine illusory power (maya). This verse highlights the immanence of God within every individual and the mechanistic nature of the material world, where souls, bound by karma and the Lord's power, experience the cycles of birth and death. The "machine" symbolizes the body and the material existence, which are operated by the Lord's energy, while the individual soul is the rider.
तमेव शरणं गच्छ सवभावेन भारत।
तत्प्रसादात्परां शा ं स्थानं प्राप्स्यिस शाश्वतम्।। 18.62 ।।
तत्प्रसादात्परां शा ं स्थानं प्राप्स्यिस शाश्वतम्।। 18.62 ।।
tameva śaraṇaṁ gaccha sarvabhāvena bhārata ।
tatprasādātparāṁ śāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śāśvatam ।। 18.62 ।।
tatprasādātparāṁ śāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śāśvatam ।। 18.62 ।।
Detailed Meaning: Therefore, O Bharata (Arjuna), surrender completely to Him alone with all your heart. By His grace, you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode. Following the previous verse's revelation of the Lord's indwelling presence and control, Krishna now advises complete surrender as the path to liberation. This surrender is not merely intellectual but an all-encompassing dedication of one's mind, will, and actions, which leads to the Lord's grace, culminating in ultimate peace and release from the cycle of birth and death to reach the eternal spiritual realm.
इित ते ानमा ातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया।
िवमृ ैतदशेषेण यथेच्छिस तथा कुरु।। 18.63 ।।
िवमृ ैतदशेषेण यथेच्छिस तथा कुरु।। 18.63 ।।
iti te jñānamākhyātaṁ guhyādguhyataraṁ mayā ।
vimṛśyaitadaśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru ।। 18.63 ।।
vimṛśyaitadaśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru ।। 18.63 ।।
Detailed Meaning: Thus, this knowledge, more profound than any secret, has been declared to you by Me. Reflect upon it completely and then do as you wish. Lord Krishna concludes His discourse by emphasizing the profound nature of the wisdom he has imparted. He calls it "guhyādguhyataraṁ" (more secret than any secret), indicating its ultimate spiritual significance. He then grants Arjuna the freedom to choose, urging him to reflect deeply on all that has been taught and then act according to his own reasoned conviction. This highlights the importance of individual understanding and free will even after receiving divine instruction.
सवगुह्यतमं भूयः श्रृणु मे परमं वचः।
इष्टोऽिस मे दृढिमित ततो व ािम ते िहतम्।। 18.64 ।।
iṣṭo ऽ si me dṛḍhamiti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam ।। 18.64 ।।
इष्टोऽिस मे दृढिमित ततो व ािम ते िहतम्।। 18.64 ।।
iṣṭo ऽ si me dṛḍhamiti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam ।। 18.64 ।।
sarvaguhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ ।
Detailed Meaning: Listen again to My supreme and most confidential instruction. Because you are very dear to Me, I shall speak for your benefit. Despite giving Arjuna freedom to choose in the previous verse, Krishna, out of boundless compassion and love for his dear devotee, decides to offer one final, ultimate teaching. He calls it "sarvaguhyatamaṁ" (the most confidential of all secrets), indicating that it surpasses all previous instructions in its significance for Arjuna's spiritual welfare. This reveals the intimate relationship between the Lord and His devotee.
मन्मना भव मद्भ ो म ाजी मां नम ुरु।
मामेवैष्यिस सत्यं ते प्रितजाने िप्रयोऽिस मे।। 18.65 ।।
māmevaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo ऽ si me ।। 18.65 ।।
मामेवैष्यिस सत्यं ते प्रितजाने िप्रयोऽिस मे।। 18.65 ।।
māmevaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo ऽ si me ।। 18.65 ।।
manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṁ namaskuru ।
Detailed Meaning: Fix your mind upon Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisances to Me. You will certainly come to Me. This I promise you, for you are very dear to Me. This is a pivotal verse, often considered the essence of the Gita. Krishna clearly outlines the path of pure devotion (Bhakti Yoga): always thinking of Him, being His devotee, worshipping Him through rituals or inner contemplation, and bowing down to Him. He assures Arjuna with a solemn promise ("satyaṁ te pratijāne") that by following this path, he will undoubtedly attain Him. This promise is rooted in Krishna's deep affection for Arjuna.
सवधमान्परत्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वां सवपापेभ्यो मोक्षियष्यािम मा शुचः।। 18.66 ।।
अहं त्वां सवपापेभ्यो मोक्षियष्यािम मा शुचः।। 18.66 ।।
sarvadharmānparityajya māmekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ।
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarvapāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ ।। 18.66 ।।
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarvapāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ ।। 18.66 ।।
Detailed Meaning: Abandon all varieties of dharma (religious duties and paths) and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear. This is perhaps the most profound and liberating verse in the entire Bhagavad Gita, known as the 'Carama Shloka' (the ultimate verse). Krishna asks Arjuna to give up all other duties and methods of self-realization and simply take refuge in Him exclusively. He guarantees complete liberation from all reactions of past actions, relieving Arjuna of all anxieties and fears. This emphasizes the supremacy of Prapatti (absolute surrender) to the Supreme Lord as the direct and most potent means to salvation.
इदं ते नातपा य नाभ ाय कदाचन।
न चाशुश्रूषवे वा ं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयित।। 18.67 ।।
na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṁ na ca māṁ yo ऽ bhyasūyati ।। 18.67 ।।
न चाशुश्रूषवे वा ं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयित।। 18.67 ।।
na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṁ na ca māṁ yo ऽ bhyasūyati ।। 18.67 ।।
idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana ।
Detailed Meaning: This confidential knowledge should never be explained to those who are not austere, not devoted, not engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me. Krishna sets conditions for the transmission of this sacred knowledge. It is not to be shared indiscriminately. The recipient must possess certain qualifications: a sincere desire for spiritual truth (indicated by austerity), devotion to the divine, a receptive and attentive nature, and freedom from envy or malice towards the Lord. This safeguards the sanctity and effectiveness of the teachings.
य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भ ेष्विभधास्यित।
भ ं मिय परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः।। 18.68 ।।
भ ं मिय परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः।। 18.68 ।।
ya imaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ madbhakteṣvabhidhāsyati ।
bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā māmevaiṣyatyasaṁśayaḥ ।। 18.68 ।।
bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā māmevaiṣyatyasaṁśayaḥ ।। 18.68 ।।
Detailed Meaning: For one who explains this supreme secret to My devotees, performing the highest devotional service, he will certainly come to Me, without a doubt. Krishna now praises the act of sharing this divine knowledge. One who propagates the teachings of the Gita, especially this supreme secret of surrender and devotion, among sincere devotees, is considered to be performing the highest form of devotional service. Such a person is guaranteed to attain the Lord, reaffirming the merit of spreading spiritual wisdom.
न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु किश्चन्मे िप्रयकृत्तमः।
भिवता न च मे तस्मादः िप्रयतरो भुिव।। 18.69 ।।
भिवता न च मे तस्मादः िप्रयतरो भुिव।। 18.69 ।।
na ca tasmānmanuṣyeṣu kaścinme priyakṛttamaḥ ।
bhavitā na ca me tasmādañyaḥ priyataro bhuvi ।। 18.69 ।।
bhavitā na ca me tasmādañyaḥ priyataro bhuvi ।। 18.69 ।।
Detailed Meaning: Among human beings, there will be no one dearer to Me, nor will there ever be anyone more beloved on Earth than he who performs this service. Krishna further emphasizes the exceptional position of one who shares His message. He declares that such a person is the most beloved of all human beings, now and in the future. This verse encourages active participation in disseminating spiritual knowledge, assuring the highest spiritual reward and divine affection for those who take up this mission.
अ ेष्यते च य इमं ध संवादमावयोः।
ानय ेन तेनाहिमष्टः स्यािमित मे मितः।। 18.70 ।।
ानय ेन तेनाहिमष्टः स्यािमित मे मितः।। 18.70 ।।
adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādamāvayoḥ ।
jñānayajñena tenāham iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ ।। 18.70 ।।
jñānayajñena tenāham iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ ।। 18.70 ।।
Detailed Meaning: And one who studies this sacred dialogue of ours will worship Me by his intelligence, through the sacrifice of knowledge. This is My opinion. Not only spreading the knowledge but also simply studying the Bhagavad Gita is highly glorified. Krishna states that anyone who diligently studies this righteous dialogue between Him and Arjuna performs a "jñāna-yajña" (sacrifice of knowledge), which is a profound form of worship using one's intellect. By engaging in this intellectual devotion, the student too worships the Lord.
श्रावाननसूयश्च श्रृणुयादिप यो नरः।
सोऽिप मु ः शुभाँ ोका ा ुयात्पुण्यकमणाम्।। 18.71 ।।
so ऽ pi muktaḥ śubhāṁllokānprāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām ।। 18.71 ।।
सोऽिप मु ः शुभाँ ोका ा ुयात्पुण्यकमणाम्।। 18.71 ।।
so ऽ pi muktaḥ śubhāṁllokānprāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām ।। 18.71 ।।
śraddhāvānanasūyaśca śṛṇuyādapi yo naraḥ ।
Detailed Meaning: And even the person who simply hears this conversation with faith and without envy becomes liberated. He attains the auspicious planets of the pious. Even listening to the Bhagavad Gita with reverence and without malice is beneficial. Krishna assures that a person who hears these teachings with faith and a non- envious heart will be freed from sin and attain the heavenly realms traditionally reserved for those who perform many pious deeds. This highlights the transformative power of simply hearing divine words with the right attitude.
कच्चदेतच्छतं पाथ त्वयैका ेण चेतसा।
कच्चदानस ोहः प्रनष्ट े धनञ्जय।। 18.72 ।।
कच्चदानस ोहः प्रनष्ट े धनञ्जय।। 18.72 ।।
kaccidetacchrutaṁ pārtha tvayāikāgreṇa cetasā ।
kaccidajñānasaṁmohaḥ pranaṣṭaste dhanañjaya ।। 18.72 ।।
kaccidajñānasaṁmohaḥ pranaṣṭaste dhanañjaya ।। 18.72 ।।
Detailed Meaning: O Partha, have you heard this with an attentive mind? O Dhananjaya, has your delusion born of ignorance been dispelled? After completing His extensive discourse, Krishna inquires of Arjuna to confirm if he has understood the teachings properly. He specifically asks if Arjuna listened with a focused mind and if the delusion and ignorance that initially gripped him (leading to his unwillingness to fight) have now been completely dispelled. This indicates the Lord's concern for the proper reception and assimilation of His divine wisdom.
अजुन उवाच।
नष्टो मोहः स्मृितल ा त्वत्प्रसादान्मया ुत।
स्थतोऽस्म गतस ेहः करष्ये वचनं तव।। 18.73 ।।
sthito ऽ smi gatasaṃdehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava ।। 18.73 ।।
नष्टो मोहः स्मृितल ा त्वत्प्रसादान्मया ुत।
स्थतोऽस्म गतस ेहः करष्ये वचनं तव।। 18.73 ।।
sthito ऽ smi gatasaṃdehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava ।। 18.73 ।।
arjuna uvāca ।
naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtirlabdhā tvatprasādānmayācyuta ।
naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtirlabdhā tvatprasādānmayācyuta ।
Detailed Meaning: Arjuna said: My delusion is destroyed, and I have regained my memory through Your grace, O Acyuta (Krishna). I am now firm, free from doubt, and prepared to act according to Your instructions. With immense relief and clarity, Arjuna responds positively. He declares that his illusion (moha) has vanished, and his true understanding (smṛti) has been restored, all due to Krishna's grace. He is now steadfast, all his doubts are dispelled, and he is ready to fulfill his duty as directed by the Lord. This marks the successful outcome of the Bhagavad Gita's profound teachings.
सञ्जय उवाच।
इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पाथस्य च महात्मनः।
संवादिमममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहषणम्।। 18.74 ।।
इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पाथस्य च महात्मनः।
संवादिमममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहषणम्।। 18.74 ।।
sañjaya uvāca ।
ityahaṁ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ ।
saṁvādamimam aśrauṣamadbhutaṁ romaharṣaṇam ।। 18.74 ।।
ityahaṁ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ ।
saṁvādamimam aśrauṣamadbhutaṁ romaharṣaṇam ।। 18.74 ।।
Detailed Meaning: Sanjaya said: Thus, I have heard this wonderful and thrilling dialogue between Vasudeva (Krishna) and the great-souled Partha (Arjuna). With Arjuna's response, Sanjaya, who has been narrating the events to King Dhritarashtra, interjects to express his awe. He describes the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna as "adbhutaṁ" (wonderful/amazing) and "romaharṣaṇam" (thrilling or causing the hair to stand on end), conveying the profound impact and spiritual ecstasy he experienced by hearing this divine discourse directly through Vyasa's boon.
ासप्रसादाच्छतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम्।
योगं योगेश्वरात्कृ ा ाक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम्।। 18.75 ।।
योगं योगेश्वरात्कृ ा ाक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम्।। 18.75 ।।
vyāsaprasādācchṛtavānetadguhyamahaṁ param ।
yogaṁ yogeśvarātkṛṣṇātsākṣātkathayataḥ svayam ।। 18.75 ।।
yogaṁ yogeśvarātkṛṣṇātsākṣātkathayataḥ svayam ।। 18.75 ।।
Detailed Meaning: By the grace of Vyasa, I have heard this most confidential supreme yoga, directly spoken by Krishna, the Lord of all yogis, Himself. Sanjaya further explains *how* he was able to hear this secret conversation. He attributes his extraordinary ability to the grace of his spiritual master, Vyasadeva, who granted him divine vision (divya-drishti). This allowed him to hear the science of Yoga, directly narrated by Krishna, the supreme master of all mystical powers (Yogeshvara), thereby validating the authenticity and divine origin of the Bhagavad Gita.
राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादिमममद्भुतम्।
केशवाजुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यािम च मुहुमुहुः।। 18.76 ।।
केशवाजुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यािम च मुहुमुहुः।। 18.76 ।।
rājan saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya saṁvādam imam adbhutam ।
keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṁ hṛṣyāmi ca muhurmuhuḥ ।। 18.76 ।।
keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṁ hṛṣyāmi ca muhurmuhuḥ ।। 18.76 ।।
Detailed Meaning: O King, as I repeatedly remember this wonderful and sacred dialogue between Keshava (Krishna) and Arjuna, I rejoice again and again. Sanjaya continues to express his profound experience to Dhritarashtra. He states that simply remembering this auspicious and amazing conversation between Krishna and Arjuna fills him with continuous joy and spiritual elation. This illustrates the lasting impact and devotional bliss derived from contemplating the teachings of the Gita.
तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः।
िवस्मयो मे महान् राजहृष्यािम च पुनः पुनः।। 18.77 ।।
िवस्मयो मे महान् राजहृष्यािम च पुनः पुनः।। 18.77 ।।
tacca saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya rūpamatyadbhutaṁ hareḥ ।
vismayo me mahān rājan hṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ ।। 18.77 ।।
vismayo me mahān rājan hṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ ।। 18.77 ।।
Detailed Meaning: And as I repeatedly remember that most wondrous form of Hari (Krishna) revealed during the dialogue, O King, my astonishment is great, and I rejoice again and again. Sanjaya specifically recalls Krishna's cosmic form (Vishvarupa), which was revealed in Chapter 11. The memory of this "atyadbhutaṁ rūpaṁ" (most wondrous form) fills him with overwhelming awe and renewed spiritual ecstasy. This further highlights the transformative and deeply personal nature of Krishna's manifestation and teachings.
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृ ो यत्र पाथ धनुधरः।
तत्र श्रीिवजयो भूित ुवा नीितमितमम।। 18.78 ।।
तत्र श्रीिवजयो भूित ुवा नीितमितमम।। 18.78 ।।
yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdharaḥ ।
tatra śrīrvijayo bhūtirdhruvā nītirmatirmama ।। 18.78 ।।
tatra śrīrvijayo bhūtirdhruvā nītirmatirmama ।। 18.78 ।।
Detailed Meaning: Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mysticism (Yogeshvara), and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will undoubtedly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and sound morality. This is my conviction. This is the concluding verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Sanjaya's ultimate declaration. He summarizes the outcome of aligning with the Divine. He firmly states that success, prosperity, victory over adversaries, spiritual and material power, and unwavering righteousness are guaranteed wherever Lord Krishna, the source of all power and wisdom, is present, especially when accompanied by a devoted and capable executor of His will like Arjuna. This verse serves as an assurance of ultimate triumph for those who act in accordance with divine principles. Summary of Chapter 18, Verses 61-78 This final chunk of the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, Verses 61-78, brings Lord Krishna's divine discourse to a profound close. Krishna begins by revealing His indwelling presence in all beings and encourages complete surrender to Him for supreme peace and the eternal abode. After granting Arjuna the freedom to choose, He then delivers His most confidential instructions, emphasizing pure devotion (Manmanā Bhava) and absolute surrender (Sarva-dharmān parityajya), promising liberation from all karmic reactions and a return to Him. Krishna then establishes the conditions for imparting this sacred knowledge, highlighting its confidentiality and the importance of faith and devotion in the recipient. He glorifies those who share or even faithfully study and hear the Gita, promising them immense spiritual benefits and His special affection. The section culminates with Arjuna's declaration that his delusion is destroyed, his doubts are gone, and he is ready to act according to Krishna's will. Sanjaya, the narrator, expresses his awe and joy at having witnessed this divine dialogue, attributing his ability to Vyasadeva's grace and recalling the wondrous form of Krishna. The Gita concludes with Sanjaya's powerful declaration that wherever Krishna, the master of all mysticism, and Arjuna, the supreme archer, are present, there will always be prosperity, victory, power, and righteousness. This final message assures the ultimate triumph of dharma and devotion.