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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 ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.7418.76

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.75

Sañjaya rejoices in Krishna’s supreme guidance

Īśvara · God

व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्‍गुह्यमहं परम् ।

योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयत: स्वयम् ॥ ७५ ॥

vyāsa-prasādāc chrutavān

etad guhyam ahaṁ param

yogaṁ yogeśvarāt kṛṣṇāt

sākṣāt kathayataḥ svayam

Translation

By the mercy of Vyāsa, I have heard these most confidential talks directly from the master of all mysticism, Kṛṣṇa, who was speaking personally to Arjuna.

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

Hearing Kṛṣṇa Through His Representative

  1. 1

    By Vyāsa’s mercy, Sañjaya heard Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mysticism, speak the most confidential teachings to Arjuna.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that hearing through a genuine spiritual master in the disciplic succession is direct hearing from Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Learn Bhagavad-gītā through a genuine spiritual master and follow Kṛṣṇa’s instruction to surrender to Him.

Key points from the purport

Sanjaya acknowledges the mercy of Vyasa, by whose mercy he could hear the master of mysticism, Krishna

a

Import of this verse

One has to understand Krishna not directly, but through the medium of the spiritual master

Spiritual master is the transparent via medium and experience is still direct

b

Krishna as the master of all mysticism

Many mystics and yogis are there all over the world, but Krishna is the master of all yoga systems

Topmost yogi according to Krishna’s instruction: one who surrenders unto Krishna (Bg. 6.47)

c

Vyasadeva is as bona-fide as Arjuna

Because he comes in the disciplic succession and Sanjaya is the direct disciple of Vyasa

Vyasa is a disciple of Narada Muni who is a direct disciple of Krishna

d

Sanjaya could see and hear Krishna directly because

He is a direct disciple of Vyasa

Also senses are purified, by the grace of Vyasa

e

Disciplic succession is must

Without disciplic succession one cannot hear Krishna and his knowledge (especially regarding Bhagavad-gita) is always imperfect

f

Spiritual master is the representative of Vyasadeva

Therefore birthday of spiritual master is celebrated as Vyasa-puja

Further reading

Sanjaya’s Predictions

Sanjaya ecstatically thinks of the wondrous form of Krishna

Predicts victory for Arjuna, the supreme archer, and Krishna, the master of all mystics

Chapter 18, section XI: Sanjaya’s Predictions
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vyāsa-prasādātby the mercy of Vyāsadeva
  2. śrutavānhave heard
  3. etatthis
  4. guhyamconfidential
  5. ahamI
  6. paramthe supreme
  7. yogammysticism
  8. yoga-īśvarātfrom the master of all mysticism
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 18.75 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

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 18.74Sañjaya rejoices in Krishna’s supreme guidanceBG 18.76Sañjaya rejoices in Krishna’s supreme guidanceBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
Live this todayActing According to Kṛṣṇa’s OrderA practice from BG 18.73, close to this verse

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

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