In Bhagavad Gita 18.69, Krishna says no one among humans does him dearer service than such a person, nor will anyone on earth be dearer to him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु
कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः
भविता न च मे तस्माद्
अन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि ॥ १८-६९ ॥
na ca tasmānmanuṣyeṣu
kaścinme priyakṛttamaḥ
bhavitā na ca me tasmād
anyaḥ priyataro bhuvi
English transliteration na cha tasmaanmanushyeshu
kashchinme priyakrittamah
bhavitaa na cha me tasmaad
anyah priyataro bhuvi ॥ 18.69 ॥
Translation / Meaning
There is no one among people who does Me more pleasing service than he, nor will there be anyone on earth more dear to Me than he.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | than he |
| मनुष्येषु manuṣyeṣu | among people |
| कश्चित् kaścit | anyone |
| मे me | to Me |
| प्रियकृत्तमः priyakṛttamaḥ | who does more pleasing service priya (pleasing) + kṛttamaḥ (doing most) |
| भविता bhavitā | will be |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| मे me | to Me |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | than he |
| अन्यः anyaḥ | another |
| प्रियतरः priyataraḥ | more dear |
| भुवि bhuvi | on earth |
Word-wise Chanting
- na ca tas–mān–ma–nuṣ–ye–ṣu 8 syllables na cha tas-maan-ma-nush-ye-shu
- kaś–cin–me pri–ya–kṛt–ta–maḥ | 8 syllables kash-chin-me pri-ya-krit-ta-mah
- bha–vi–tā na ca me tas–mād– 8 syllables bha-vi-taa na cha me tas-maad-
- an–yaḥ pri–ya–ta–ro bhu–vi || 18-69 8 syllables an-yah pri-ya-ta-ro bhu-vi
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 69
Context
Krishna gives guidance on sharing the Gita (18.67–18.71).
Meaning
One who shares the Gita with devotion renders the priya-kṛttama, the most pleasing service, to the Divine. No one on earth will be priyatara, dearer, to the Divine.
Spreading wisdom and love is the highest service. It multiplies the good across many lives.
In Practice
Consider how you can share wisdom and kindness more widely this week.
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.