In Bhagavad Gita 18.70, Krishna says one who studies this sacred dialogue of theirs worships him by the sacrifice of knowledge; that is his conviction.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अध्येष्यते च य इमं
धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः
ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहम्
इष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ॥ १८-७० ॥
adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṃ
dharmyaṃ saṃvādamāvayoḥ
jñānayajñena tenāham
iṣṭaḥ syāmiti me matiḥ
English transliteration adhyeshyate cha ya imam
dharmyam samvaadamaavayoh
jnaanayajnena tenaaham
ishtah syaamiti me matih ॥ 18.70 ॥
Translation / Meaning
And one who studies this sacred dialogue of ours, by that person I shall be worshipped through the sacrifice of knowledge; such is My conviction.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अध्येष्यते adhyeṣyate | studies |
| च ca | and |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| इमम् imam | this |
| धर्म्यम् dharmyam | sacred |
| संवादम् saṃvādam | dialogue |
| आवयोः āvayoḥ | of ours |
| ज्ञानयज्ञेन jñānayajñena | through the sacrifice of knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + yajñena (sacrifice) |
| तेन tena | by that |
| अहम् aham | I |
| इष्टः iṣṭaḥ | worshipped |
| स्याम् syām | shall be |
| इति iti | thus |
| मे me | My |
| मतिः matiḥ | conviction |
Word-wise Chanting
- adh–yeṣ–ya–te ca ya i–maṃ 8 syllables adh-yesh-ya-te cha ya i-mam
- dhar–myaṃ saṃ–vā–da–mā–va–yoḥ | 8 syllables dhar-myam sam-vaa-da-maa-va-yoh
- jñā–na–ya–jñe–na te–nā–ham– 8 syllables jnaa-na-ya-jne-na te-naa-ham-
- iṣ–ṭaḥ syā–mi–ti me ma–tiḥ || 18-70 8 syllables ish-tah syaa-mi-ti me ma-tih
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 70
Context
Krishna gives guidance on studying the Gita (18.67–18.71).
Meaning
Studying this dharmya saṃvāda, sacred dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, is itself worship, a jñāna-yajña, sacrifice of knowledge. The reader who studies with understanding honours the Divine.
Reading the Gita is not just intellectual activity; it is a form of devotion.
In Practice
Study a passage of the Gita today as an act of worship, not merely as information.
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.