In Bhagavad Gita 7.18, Krishna says all four kinds of devotees are noble, but the wise one he considers his very Self, established in him as the supreme goal.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
उदाराः सर्व एवैते
ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम्
आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा
मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ॥ ७-१८ ॥
udārāḥ sarva evaite
jñānī tvātmaiva me matam
āsthitaḥ sa hi yuktātmā
māmevānuttamāṃ gatim
English transliteration udaaraah sarva evaite
jnaanee tvaatmaiva me matam
aasthitah sa hi yuktaatmaa
maamevaanuttamaam gatim ॥ 7.18 ॥
Translation / Meaning
All these are noble indeed, but the wise one I regard as My very Self. For he, with mind steadfast, is established in Me alone as the supreme goal.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| उदाराः udārāḥ | noble |
| सर्वे sarve | all |
| एव eva | indeed |
| एते ete | these |
| ज्ञानी jñānī | the wise |
| तु tu | but |
| आत्मा ātmā | Self |
| एव eva | indeed |
| मे me | My |
| मतम् matam | view |
| आस्थितः āsthitaḥ | established |
| सः saḥ | he |
| हि hi | indeed |
| युक्तात्मा yuktātmā | with mind steadfast |
| माम् mām | in Me |
| एव eva | alone |
| अनुत्तमाम् anuttamām | supreme |
| गतिम् gatim | goal |
Word-wise Chanting
- u–dā–rāḥ sar–va e–vai–te 8 syllables u-daa-raah sar-va e-vai-te
- jñā–nī tvāt–mai–va me ma–tam | 8 syllables jnaa-nee tvaat-mai-va me ma-tam
- ās–thi–taḥ sa hi yuk–tāt–mā 8 syllables aas-thi-tah sa hi yuk-taat-maa
- mā–me–vā–nut–ta–māṃ ga–tim || 7-18 8 syllables maa-me-vaa-nut-ta-maam ga-tim
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 7 Verse 18
Context
Krishna continues his description of the four kinds of devotees (7.16–7.18).
Meaning
Krishna praises all four as udāra, noble, generous-hearted, because they all turn to him. But the jñānī he considers ātmā eva, his very Self. Such a person has made the Divine their anuttama gati, the supreme and only goal. There is no separation left between devotee and Divine.
The generosity of the Divine is evident: all who turn to God are honoured. Yet the deepest relationship is with those who seek nothing but God. In them, devotion becomes identity: they live as expressions of the Divine.
In Practice
Let the Divine be your highest goal today in one concrete decision, choosing what brings you closer to it.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). 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.