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Chapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person · 20 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person
15.1916.1

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 15.20

The Supreme Person beyond fallible and infallible

Īśvara · God

इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयानघ ।

एतद्‍बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत ॥ २० ॥

iti guhya-tamaṁ śāstram

idam uktaṁ mayānagha

etad buddhvā buddhimān syāt

kṛta-kṛtyaś ca bhārata

Translation

This is the most confidential part of the Vedic scriptures, O sinless one, and it is disclosed now by Me. Whoever understands this will become wise, and his endeavors will know perfection.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Wisdom Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The Lord reveals the most confidential Vedic teaching. Whoever understands it becomes wise and achieves perfection in their efforts.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that understanding the Supreme Lord and serving Him frees one from material contamination and ignorance.

  3. 3

    Engage in devotional service under the guidance of a genuine spiritual master, in the company of pure devotees.

Key points from the purport

This verse summarizes Chapter 15 — Knowledge explained in this chapter is the essence of Vedanta and the most confidential part/substance of the Vedas

Result of understanding – One will become wise and his endeavors will know perfection

Qualification – Sinlessness

Further reading

Knowing Krishna Means Knowing Everything

One knowing Krishna’s position knows everything, and he engages in Krishna’s service

Knowing this most confidential part of Vedic scriptures makes one wise and brings perfection to his endeavors

Chapter 15, section V: Knowing Krishna Means Knowing Everything
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. guhya-tamamthe most confidential
  3. śāstramrevealed scripture
  4. idamthis
  5. uktamdisclosed
  6. mayāby Me
  7. anaghaO sinless one
  8. etatthis
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 15.20 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 15.16The Supreme Person beyond fallible and infallibleBG 15.17The Supreme Person beyond fallible and infallibleBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
Live this todayDetachment Through Surrender to KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 15.3-4, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction