In Bhagavad Gita 18.67, Krishna says this teaching should never be spoken to one without discipline, without devotion, unwilling to listen, or who speaks ill of him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इदं ते नातपस्काय
नाभक्ताय कदाचन
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं
न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥ १८-६७ ॥
idaṃ te nātapaskāya
nābhaktāya kadācana
na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṃ
na ca māṃ yo’bhyasūyati
English transliteration idam te naatapaskaaya
naabhaktaaya kadaachana
na chaashushrooshave vaachyam
na cha maam yo’bhyasooyati ॥ 18.67 ॥
Translation / Meaning
This should never be spoken by you to one who is without austerity, or without devotion, or who does not wish to listen, or who speaks ill of Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इदम् idam | this |
| ते te | by you |
| न na | not |
| अतपस्काय atapaskāya | to one without austerity |
| न na | not |
| अभक्ताय abhaktāya | to one without devotion |
| कदाचन kadācana | ever |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| अशुश्रूषवे aśuśrūṣave | to one who does not wish to listen |
| वाच्यम् vācyam | should be spoken |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| माम् mām | of Me |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| अभ्यसूयति abhyasūyati | speaks ill |
Word-wise Chanting
- i–daṃ te nā–ta–pas–kā–ya 8 syllables i-dam te naa-ta-pas-kaa-ya
- nā–bhak–tā–ya ka–dā–ca–na | 8 syllables naa-bhak-taa-ya ka-daa-cha-na
- na cā–śuś–rū–ṣa–ve vāc–yaṃ 8 syllables na chaa-shush-roo-sha-ve vaach-yam
- na ca māṃ yo–‘bhya–sū–ya–ti || 18-67 8 syllables na cha maam yo-‘bhya-soo-ya-ti
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 67
Context
Krishna gives guidance on sharing the Gita (18.67–18.71).
Meaning
The teaching should not be forced on those who are atapaska, undisciplined; abhakta, without devotion; aśuśrūṣu, not willing to listen; or abhyasūyaka, hostile to the Divine. Such people cannot receive it and may misuse or mock it.
This is not elitism but wisdom about readiness. Truth is offered to those who are open to it.
In Practice
Share spiritual insights today only where they are welcome and will be received with respect.
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.