In Bhagavad Gita 18.71, Krishna says even one who merely hears this with faith and without envy is liberated and reaches the auspicious worlds of the virtuous.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च
शृणुयादपि यो नरः
सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्
प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥ १८-७१ ॥
śraddhāvānanasūyaśca
śṛṇuyādapi yo naraḥ
so’pi muktaḥ śubhā~llokān
prāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām
English transliteration shraddhaavaananasooyashcha
shrinuyaadapi yo narah
so’pi muktah shubhaallokaan
praapnuyaatpunyakarmanaam ॥ 18.71 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Even a person who only listens to it with faith and without envy shall be liberated and shall attain the auspicious worlds of those of virtuous deeds.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| श्रद्धावान् śraddhāvān | with faith |
| अनसूयः anasūyaḥ | without envy |
| च ca | and |
| शृणुयात् śṛṇuyāt | listens |
| अपि api | even |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| नरः naraḥ | a person |
| सः saḥ | he |
| अपि api | too |
| मुक्तः muktaḥ | liberated |
| शुभान् śubhān | auspicious |
| लोकान् lokān | worlds |
| प्राप्नुयात् prāpnuyāt | shall attain |
| पुण्यकर्मणाम् puṇyakarmaṇām | of those of virtuous deeds puṇya (virtuous) + karmaṇām (deeds) |
Word-wise Chanting
- śrad–dhā–vā–na–na–sū–yaś–ca 8 syllables shrad-dhaa-vaa-na-na-soo-yash-cha
- śṛ–ṇu–yā–da–pi yo na–raḥ | 8 syllables shri-nu-yaa-da-pi yo na-rah
- so–‘pi muk–taḥ śu–bhā~–llo–kān– 8 syllables so-‘pi muk-tah shu-bhaa-llo-kaan-
- prāp–nu–yāt–puṇ–ya–kar–ma–ṇām || 18-71 8 syllables praap-nu-yaat-pun-ya-kar-ma-naam
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 71
Context
Krishna gives guidance on hearing the Gita (18.67–18.71).
Meaning
Even those who cannot study deeply but simply listen with śraddhā, faith, and anasūya, without fault-finding, are freed and reach the śubha lokas, the auspicious realms of the virtuous.
The Gita is generous: even sincere listening bears fruit. No one is excluded.
In Practice
Listen to a recitation of the Gita today with faith and an open heart.
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.