Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 68

Chapter 18 – Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

य इदं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति ।
भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ॥

Transliteration

ya idaṃ paramaṃ guhyaṃ madbhakteṣvabhidhāsyati .
bhaktiṃ mayi parāṃ kṛtvā māmevaiṣyatyasaṃśayaḥ ॥

Meaning

Whoever, with supreme devotion to me, teaches this supreme secret to my devotees will without doubt come to me.

Word meanings

यः – whoever
इदम् – this
परमम् – supreme
गुह्यम् – secret
मद्भक्तेषु – among my devotees
अभिधास्यति – will teach, will declare
भक्तिम् – devotion
मयि – to me
पराम् – supreme
कृत्वा – having shown
माम् – me
एव – alone
एष्यति – will come to
असंशयः – without doubt

Anvaya (word order)

यः इदं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेषु अभिधास्यति, (सः) मयि परां भक्तिं कृत्वा असंशयः माम् एव एष्यति ।

Explanation

The previous verse said to whom this knowledge should not be given. Now Krishna presents the positive side — the glory of one who shares this knowledge among the Lord's devotees. Mad-bhakteshv abhidhasyati — will teach it among my devotees. That is, the teaching should be spread among those who are faithful and receptive.

But there is an important condition: bhaktim mayi param kritva — having shown supreme devotion to me. Spreading the Gita must not be merely an intellectual or commercial exercise. It should be done as service to the Lord, out of love for him, without desire for fame, money or ego. Shankara says that one who teaches the Gita with the thought 'I am serving the Lord' is the one entitled to this fruit.

The fruit is mam evaishyaty asamshayah — he will without doubt come to me. It is remarkable that sharing knowledge itself becomes a means of liberation. The reason is that the one who shares reflects again and again upon the same knowledge, his mind stays fixed on the Lord, and the wish for others' welfare wears down his ego. Knowledge grows by being shared.

The Indian guru–disciple tradition rests on this very spirit. To pass on the knowledge one has received to the next generation is a sacred duty. Even today, those who teach, explain or help spread the Gita with faith are, according to this verse, offering the Lord his highest service.

Context

The previous verse said to whom this knowledge should not be given. This verse says that one who shares it among devotees attains the Lord. In the next verse (18.69) Krishna says that no one is dearer to him than such a person.

Life lesson

Pass on the good knowledge you have received to worthy people, with love and humility. Knowledge does not diminish when shared; it grows. Giving knowledge for the welfare of others is itself a spiritual practice.

Key terms

Parama guhya: The supreme secret — the teaching of the Gita
Abhidhana: Teaching, declaring, spreading
Para bhakti: Supreme love and surrender
Asamshaya: Without doubt, certainly