In Bhagavad Gita 18.58, Krishna says that with mind fixed on him, Arjuna will cross all obstacles by his grace; but if out of ego he does not listen, he will perish.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि
मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि
अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्
न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ॥ १८-५८ ॥
maccittaḥ sarvadurgāṇi
matprasādāttariṣyasi
atha cettvamahaṅkārān
na śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi
English transliteration machchittah sarvadurgaani
matprasaadaattarishyasi
atha chettvamahankaaraan
na shroshyasi vinankshyasi ॥ 18.58 ॥
Translation / Meaning
With your mind fixed on Me, you will cross over all obstacles by My grace. But if, out of egoism, you will not listen, you will perish.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| मच्चित्तः maccittaḥ | with mind fixed on Me |
| सर्वदुर्गाणि sarvadurgāṇi | all obstacles sarva (all) + durgāṇi (obstacles) |
| मत्प्रसादात् matprasādāt | by My grace |
| तरिष्यसि tariṣyasi | you will cross over |
| अथ atha | but |
| चेत् cet | if |
| त्वम् tvam | you |
| अहङ्कारात् ahaṅkārāt | out of egoism |
| न na | not |
| श्रोष्यसि śroṣyasi | will listen |
| विनङ्क्ष्यसि vinaṅkṣyasi | you will perish |
Word-wise Chanting
- mac–cit–taḥ sar–va–dur–gā–ṇi 8 syllables mach-chit-tah sar-va-dur-gaa-ni
- mat–pra–sā–dāt–ta–riṣ–ya–si | 8 syllables mat-pra-saa-daat-ta-rish-ya-si
- a–tha cet–tva–ma–haṅ–kā–rān– 8 syllables a-tha chet-tva-ma-han-kaa-raan-
- na śroṣ–ya–si vi–naṅ–kṣya–si || 18-58 8 syllables na shrosh-ya-si vi-nan-kshya-si
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 58
Context
Krishna presents the path of action and devotion (18.56–18.58).
Meaning
Krishna gives a promise and a warning. With mind on the Divine, all durgas, difficulties, will be crossed through grace. But if ahaṅkāra, ego, refuses to listen, the result is ruin.
The choice is clear: trust and grace, or ego and loss. Ego is the only real obstacle.
In Practice
Notice when ego resists good guidance today, and choose to listen instead.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.