FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 18.68

య ఇదం పరమం గుహ్యం మద్భ‍క్తేష్వభిధాస్యతి । భక్తిం మయి పరాం కృత్వా మామేవైష్యత్యసంశయ: ॥ ౬౮ ॥
ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ
[ya idam paramam guhyam]
mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati
[mad-bhakteshv abhidhaasyati]
bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā
[bhaktim mayi paraam kritvaa]
mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ
[maam evaishyaty asamshayah]
Word-for-word
yaḥ — anyone who idam — this paramam — most guhyam — confidential secret mat — of Mine bhakteṣu — amongst devotees abhidhāsyati — explains bhaktim — devotional service mayi — unto Me parām — transcendental kṛtvā — doing mām — unto Me eva — certainly eṣyati — comes asaṁśayaḥ — without doubt .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ
yaḥ
anyone who
idam
this
paramam
most
guhyam
confidential secret
mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati
mat
of Mine
bhakteṣu
amongst devotees
abhidhāsyati
explains
bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā
bhaktim
devotional service
mayi
unto Me
parām
transcendental
kṛtvā
doing
mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ
mām
unto Me
eva
certainly
eṣyati
comes
asaṁśayaḥ
without doubt .
Important Words
  • guhyam — confidential secret
    With paramam: the supreme secret. The most confidential teaching. The verse refers specifically to what has just been disclosed — the bhakti-conclusion of verses 65-66, the deepest stratum.
  • bhakteṣu — amongst devotees
    Locative plural. With mat: amongst My devotees. The teaching is transmitted within a devotee-community. Not broadcast to the indifferent; shared among the lineage.
  • abhidhāsyati — will explain / speak
    Future tense from abhi-dhā — to declare authoritatively. The verse names a specific future act — the *teacher's* speaking — and attaches a particular reward to it.
  • kṛtvā — doing
    Gerund — *having done*. With bhaktim parām: having performed supreme devotion. The teacher of the Gītā, by the very act of teaching, *performs* parā-bhakti. Teaching is itself worship in this verse.
  • asaṁśayaḥ — without doubt
    Compound — without (a)-doubt (saṁśaya). The verse closes with absolute certainty. There is no probability statement here; the reward is *guaranteed*.
For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.
Purport

Generally it is advised that Bhagavad-gītā be discussed amongst the devotees only, for those who are not devotees will understand neither Kṛṣṇa nor Bhagavad-gītā . Those who do not accept Kṛṣṇa as He is and Bhagavad-gītā as it is should not try to explain Bhagavad-gītā whimsically and become offenders. Bhagavad-gītā should be explained to persons who are ready to accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is a subject matter for the devotees only and not for philosophical speculators. Anyone, however, who tries sincerely to present Bhagavad-gītā as it is will advance in devotional activities and reach the pure devotional state of life. As a result of such pure devotion, he is sure to go back home, back to Godhead.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
68. One who teaches this supreme secret to My devotees, attains the highest bhakti, and finally attains Me without doubt.
Commentary

This verse and the next state the results of giving instructions on bhakti. The instructor first attains supreme bhakti (parāṁ bhaktim) and then the Lord Himself (mām eva eṣyati).

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
68. One who teaches this supreme secret to My devotees, attains the highest bhakti, and finally attains Me without doubt.
Commentary

The result for one who teaches this scripture is narrated. The one who teaches attains pure bhakti to Me, and then attains Me.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

Srila Prabhupada explains in his Purport: "Generally it is advised that Bhagavad‑gita be discussed amongst the devotees only, for those who are not devotees will understand neither Krsna nor Bhagavad‑gita. Those who do not accept Krsna as He is and Bhagavad‑gita as it is should not try to explain Bhagavad‑ gita whimsically and become offenders. Bhagavad‑gita should be explained to persons who are ready to accept Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is a subject matter for the devotees only and not for philosophical speculators. Anyone, however, who tries sincerely to present Bhagavad‑gita as it is will advance in devotional activities and reach the pure devotional state of life. As a result of such pure devotion, he is sure to go back home, back to Godhead."

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Benediction for the teacher/preacher

THEME: One who teaches to Krishna’s devotees gets “pure devotional service” and returns to Krishna

Amongst whom is this Bhagavad-gita discussion is generally recommended
Only amongst devotees
Not for philosophical speculators

Focus of Learning

(a) PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Various categories of persons who cannot understand Bhagavad-gita

Professional commentators – who are envious and explain Bhagavad-gita to make a business
To those who are sensuous
Even if not sensuous but are strictly following the Vedic scriptural disciplines, but if he is not a devotee, he cannot understand Krishna
Even if one poses himself as a devotee, but not engaged in Krishna conscious activities, he cannot understand Krishna

(b) Why different people envy Krishna

Because He is the Supreme and nothing is above or equal to Him

(c) Who should not try to comment on Bhagavad-gita – envious, faithless and those without

understanding of Krishna from authority of a pure devotee

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SECTION IX

There are auspicious results for anyone who encounters the sacred

message of Bhagavad-gita, whether it be through preaching, studying or hearing

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
18.68 Yah, he who; abhi-dhasyati, will speak of, i.e., will present with the help of the text and its meaning, as I have done to you; imam, this; paramam, highest-that which has Liberation as its purpose; guhyam, secret, as spoken of above-(i.e.) the text in the form of a conversation between Kesava and Arjuna; madbhaktesu, to My devotees-. How will present? This is being stated: Krtva, entertaining; param, supreme; bhaktim, devotion; mayi, to Me, i.e., entertainting an idea thus-'A service is being rendered by me to the Lord who is the supreme Teacher'-. Tho him comes this result: esyati, he will reach; mam, Me; eva, alone. He is certainly freed. No doubt should be entertained in this regard. By the repetition of (the word) bhakti (devotion) [In the word madbhaktesu.], it is understood that one becomes fit for being taught (this) Scripture by virtue of devotion alone to Him. Besides,
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
18.68 Whose expounds or elucidates this supreme mystery to My devotees, he, aciring supreme devotion towards Me, will reach Me only. There is no doubt about this.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
18.68 See Comment under 18.72
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
18.68 He who with supreme devotion to Me will teach this supreme secret to My devotees, shall doubtlessly come to Me.
Commentary

18.68 यः who? इमम् this? परमम् supreme? गुह्यम् secret? मद्भक्तेषु in My devotees? अभिधास्यति shall declare? भक्तिम् devotion? मयि in Me? पराम् supreme? कृत्वा having done? माम् to Me? एव even? एष्यति shall come? असंशयः doubtless.Commentary This supreme secret The teachings of the Gita as taught above in the form of a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Why is it called a supreme secret Because it helps one to attain immortality or freedom from the whell of birth and death.He alone? who has devotion? is alified to receive the teachings of the Gita.Teach with the faith that he is thus doing service to the Lord? the Supreme Teacher.Doubtless may also mean freedom from doubts.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
18.68 He who, entertaining supreme devotion to Me, will speak of this highest secret, to My devotees will without doubt reach Me alone.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
18.68 But he who teaches this great secret to My devotees, his is the highest devotion, and verily he shall come unto Me.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)Vairagya (Detachment / Dispassion)
Related verses
BG 4.34 BG 11.55 BG 9.13 SB 10.24.32 SB 11.11.36 SB 1.5.22 CC Antya 4.70 CC Madhya 7.128 CC Madhya 24.277 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.2.10BRS 1.2.235
Study Q&A referencing this verse
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
He who explains this supreme secret to My devotees performs the highest devotional service — he will come to Me without doubt.
Practical Applications
  • Recognize the merit in spreading the Gītā.
  • Find devotee-audiences who can receive.
  • Treat teaching as devotional service.
Reflection Questions
  • What devotee-audience could I share with?
  • What teaching service is calling?
Analogy

A lamp that lights other lamps does not lose its brightness — it multiplies it. The one who teaches this Gītā among devotees doubles his own flame; and at the end, the lamp's light returns to the original sun.

Stories
Sūta Gosvāmī at Naimiṣāraṇya

Sūta Gosvāmī, having heard the Bhāgavatam from Śukadeva, sat at the long sacrifice in Naimiṣāraṇya and spoke it to Śaunaka and the assembled sages. He embodied this verse: yaḥ idam paramam guhyam mat-bhakteṣu abhidhāsyati.

The entire Bhāgavatam in its current form exists because of Sūta's transmission. The promise of mām eva eṣyati asaṁśayaḥ — coming to Kṛṣṇa without doubt — was sealed in his life by the very act of speaking.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

← Read full Chapter 18