In Bhagavad Gita 18.64, Krishna asks Arjuna to hear again his supreme word, the most secret of all; because Arjuna is dearly loved, Krishna will tell him what is for his good.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः
शृणु मे परमं वचः
इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति
ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ॥ १८-६४ ॥
sarvaguhyatamaṃ bhūyaḥ
śṛṇu me paramaṃ vacaḥ
iṣṭo’si me dṛḍhamiti
tato vakṣyāmi te hitam
English transliteration sarvaguhyatamam bhooyah
shrinu me paramam vachah
ishto’si me dridhamiti
tato vakshyaami te hitam ॥ 18.64 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Hear again My supreme word, the most secret of all. Because you are dearly loved by Me, I shall tell you what is for your good.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सर्वगुह्यतमम् sarvaguhyatamam | the most secret of all sarva (all) + guhyatamam (most secret) |
| भूयः bhūyaḥ | again |
| शृणु śṛṇu | hear |
| मे me | My |
| परमम् paramam | supreme |
| वचः vacaḥ | word |
| इष्टः iṣṭaḥ | loved |
| असि asi | you are |
| मे me | by Me |
| दृढम् dṛḍham | dearly |
| इति iti | thus |
| ततः tataḥ | therefore |
| वक्ष्यामि vakṣyāmi | I shall tell |
| ते te | you |
| हितम् hitam | what is for your good |
Word-wise Chanting
- sar–va–guh–ya–ta–maṃ bhū–yaḥ 8 syllables sar-va-guh-ya-ta-mam bhoo-yah
- śṛ–ṇu me pa–ra–maṃ va–caḥ | 8 syllables shri-nu me pa-ra-mam va-chah
- iṣ–ṭo–‘si me dṛ–ḍha–mi–ti 8 syllables ish-to-‘si me dri-dha-mi-ti
- ta–to vakṣ–yā–mi te hi–tam || 18-64 8 syllables ta-to vaksh-yaa-mi te hi-tam
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 64
Context
Krishna introduces his final, most secret teaching (18.64–18.66).
Meaning
Having given Arjuna freedom, Krishna offers one last word out of love: iṣṭo’si me dṛḍham, you are dearly loved by me. The final teaching is sarva-guhyatama, the most secret of all, given for Arjuna’s hita, his true good.
The final word of the Gita is not a doctrine but an expression of love. All teaching flows from the Divine’s love for the seeker.
In Practice
Let yourself feel dearly loved by the Divine today, just as Arjuna was.
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.