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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 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 ›
Bhakti & surrenderChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.5718.59

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.58

Perform duty in surrender to Krishna

Īśvara · God

मच्च‍ित्त: सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि ।

अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्‍क्ष्यसि ॥ ५८ ॥

mac-cittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi

mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi

atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān

na śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi

Translation

If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.

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

Act in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    By Kṛṣṇa’s grace, those conscious of Him overcome all obstacles of conditioned life. Those who ignore Him and act through false ego are lost.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa becomes His devotee’s closest friend, caring for the devotee and freeing them from material troubles.

  3. 3

    Work to please Kṛṣṇa rather than think yourself independent. His guidance from within is confirmed by the spiritual master.

Key points from the purport

If you work as per Text 18.57, you will pass all obstacles; otherwise you will be bound

a

Krishna consciousness is free from all anxieties

Not unduly anxious about executing the duties of his existence

Krishna becomes his friend and looks after his comfort

b

Krishna conscious person is liberated and free to act

Because everything is prompted by Krishna from within and confirmed by spiritual master

Otherwise conditioned soul is always under strict material laws

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 18.58 & 18.59 — What does Krishna mean when He states that one acting through false ego, not hearing Him, will be lost?

Connected verses · 1

Texts 18.57 & 18.58

What will be the result of following Krishna’s instructions? And of not following?

Further reading

Working In Pure Devotional Service

One on the platform of devotion should work under the order of Lord, fully depending on Him and being fully conscious of Him

One will thus be free from the control of the modes of material nature

Chapter 18, section VI: Working In Pure Devotional Service
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. matof Me
  2. cittaḥbeing in consciousness
  3. sarvaall
  4. durgāṇiimpediments
  5. mat-prasādātby My mercy
  6. tariṣyasiyou will overcome
  7. athabut
  8. cetif
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Divine mercy

    Krishna promises passage over obstacles by His grace.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.58 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 18 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 10.10Intelligence granted through devotionBG 10.11Bhakti, loving dialogue and divine understandingBG 18.73My illusion is gone
Live this todayServe Under Kṛṣṇa’s DirectionA practice from BG 18.57, 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