1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

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
18.6318.65

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.64

Krishna’s confidential instruction of surrender

Īśvara · God

सर्वगुह्यतमं भूय: श‍ृणु मे परमं वच: ।

इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ॥ ६४ ॥

sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ

śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ

iṣṭo ’si me dṛḍham iti

tato vakṣyāmi te hitam

Translation

Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit.

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

Kṛṣṇa’s Most Confidential Instruction

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa asks His very dear friend Arjuna to hear His supreme instruction for his benefit.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that the most confidential knowledge is to surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Always think of Kṛṣṇa and follow His instruction to surrender; this teaching is for everyone.

Key points from the purport

Krishna will reveal the supreme instruction

a

What is most confidential knowledge

Confidential – Knowledge of Brahman

More confidential – Knowledge of Supersoul

Most confidential – Just surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead

b

Why “man mana…” is repeated twice, as indicated by the word “bhuyah” (It is repeated in two verses i.e. Bg. 9.34 and Bg. 18.65)

To stress the essence of the teachings of Bhagavad-gita

c

Who can understand this essence — Only by one who is actually very dear to Krishna and not by a common man

This knowledge is not only for Arjuna but for all living entities

Further reading

The Most Confidential Knowledge Of All: Become

A pure devotee of Krishna

Always think of Krishna, become Krishna’s devotee, worship Krishna, offer all homage unto Krishna and thus come to Krishna.

Surrender to Krishna, do not fear sinful reactions

Chapter 18, section VIII: The Most Confidential Knowledge Of All: Become
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sarva-guhya-tamamthe most confidential of all
  2. bhūyaḥagain
  3. śṛṇujust hear
  4. mefrom Me
  5. paramamthe supreme
  6. vacaḥinstruction
  7. iṣṭaḥ asiyou are dear
  8. meto Me
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.64 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 18.65You are very dear to MeBG 18.66The heart of surrenderBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted
Live this todayDeliberate Fully Before SurrenderingA practice from BG 18.63, 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