Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 63

Chapter 18 – Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया ।
विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥

Transliteration

iti te jñānamākhyātaṃ guhyādguhyataraṃ mayā .
vimṛśyaitadaśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru ॥

Meaning

Thus I have declared to you knowledge more secret than all secrets. Reflect on it fully, and then do as you wish.

Word meanings

इति – thus
ते – to you
ज्ञानम् – knowledge
आख्यातम् – has been declared
गुह्यात् – than the secret
गुह्यतरम् – more secret
मया – by me
विमृश्य – having reflected upon
एतत् – this
अशेषेण – fully, completely
यथा – as
इच्छसि – you wish
तथा – so
कुरु – do

Anvaya (word order)

इति गुह्यात् गुह्यतरं ज्ञानं मया ते आख्यातम्; एतत् अशेषेण विमृश्य यथा इच्छसि तथा कुरु ।

Explanation

This verse is one of the most remarkable and humane moments in the Gita. Through eighteen chapters Krishna has explained to Arjuna the immortality of the Self, karma yoga, jnana yoga, meditation, devotion, the cosmic vision, the analysis of the gunas, svadharma and surrender. Now the all-powerful Lord says: yathechchhasi tatha kuru — do as you wish. He imposes no command; he leaves the decision to Arjuna's free will.

This is the greatness of the Gita's way of teaching. A true teacher does not force his views on the disciple but gives him knowledge so clear that he can make the right choice himself. Krishna knows that a decision made out of fear or pressure does not last; only a decision born of understanding endures. So he first says vimrishyaitad asheshena — reflect on this fully — and only then, yathechchhasi tatha kuru.

The word vimrishya is very important. It means to reflect deeply, considering every side. The Gita does not ask for blind belief; it asks for thoughtful, discerning acceptance. Asheshena, 'fully', means considering the whole teaching, not just one portion of it. This reflects the Gita's deep respect for human reason and free will.

Guhyad guhyataram — more secret than the secret. The Gita speaks of three levels of knowledge: guhya (secret), guhyatara (more secret), and guhyatama (most secret). Many acharyas hold that discrimination between Self and not-Self is the secret; the knowledge of the Supreme together with the teaching of karma yoga and bhakti yoga given so far is the more secret; and the teaching of surrender in the coming verses (18.64–66) is the most secret of all. Shankara glosses guhyad guhyataram as 'more mysterious than any mystery'. Ramanuja says that here the knowledge of karma yoga, jnana yoga and bhakti yoga together is the more secret.

A beautiful aspect of this verse is that even after saying 'do as you wish', Krishna does not stop. In the next verse he says tenderly, 'You are very dear to me, so I will tell you once more my most secret word.' This shows that granting freedom and guiding with love go hand in hand.

In practical life this verse is a model for parents, teachers and leaders: give others knowledge and understanding, but leave the final decision to their own discernment. And for oneself, it teaches that any teaching — however great — should be embraced after deep reflection and genuine understanding.

Context

In the previous verse Krishna taught surrender to the Lord with one's whole being. This verse is a kind of conclusion to the Gita's teaching, in which Krishna grants Arjuna the freedom to reflect and decide for himself. In the next verse (18.64) he announces that, out of love, he will speak his most secret word once again.

Life lesson

Embrace any important teaching not blindly but after deep reflection. Instead of imposing your views on others, give them understanding and leave the decision to their discernment. True freedom is the freedom that arises from full understanding.

Key terms

Guhyatara jnana: Knowledge more secret than the secret
Vimarsha: Deep reflection and consideration
Asheshena: Fully, leaving nothing out
Yathechchhasi tatha kuru: 'Do as you wish' — respect for free decision