In Bhagavad Gita 18.68, Krishna says one who teaches this supreme secret to his devotees, with supreme devotion to him, will surely come to him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
य इदं परमं गुह्यं
मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति
भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा
मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ॥ १८-६८ ॥
ya idaṃ paramaṃ guhyaṃ
madbhakteṣvabhidhāsyati
bhaktiṃ mayi parāṃ kṛtvā
māmevaiṣyatyasaṃśayaḥ
English transliteration ya idam paramam guhyam
madbhakteshvabhidhaasyati
bhaktim mayi paraam kritvaa
maamevaishyatyasamshayah ॥ 18.68 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who, with supreme devotion to Me, teaches this supreme secret to My devotees, will undoubtedly come to Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यः yaḥ | who |
| इदम् idam | this |
| परमम् paramam | supreme |
| गुह्यम् guhyam | secret |
| मद्भक्तेषु madbhakteṣu | to My devotees |
| अभिधास्यति abhidhāsyati | teaches |
| भक्तिम् bhaktim | devotion |
| मयि mayi | to Me |
| पराम् parām | supreme |
| कृत्वा kṛtvā | having |
| माम् mām | to Me |
| एव eva | surely |
| एष्यति eṣyati | will come |
| असंशयः asaṃśayaḥ | undoubtedly |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya i–daṃ pa–ra–maṃ guh–yaṃ 8 syllables ya i-dam pa-ra-mam guh-yam
- mad–bhak–teṣ–va–bhi–dhās–ya–ti | 8 syllables mad-bhak-tesh-va-bhi-dhaas-ya-ti
- bhak–tiṃ ma–yi pa–rāṃ kṛt–vā 8 syllables bhak-tim ma-yi pa-raam krit-vaa
- mā–me–vaiṣ–yat–ya–saṃ–śa–yaḥ || 18-68 8 syllables maa-me-vaish-yat-ya-sam-sha-yah
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 68
Context
Krishna gives guidance on sharing the Gita (18.67–18.71).
Meaning
Sharing the Gita with sincere devotees, out of parā bhakti, supreme love for the Divine, is itself a path to the Divine. The teacher who does this reaches the Divine without doubt.
Teaching what we love deepens our own understanding and devotion.
In Practice
Share one verse of the Gita today with someone who would value it.
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.