Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 62

English Translation

Take refuge in Him alone with your whole being, O scion of the Bharata dynasty. Through His grace you will attain the supreme Peace and the eternal Abode.

Detailed Commentary

**Explanation --** [Humans often have this weakness: when saints and great souls are present, they lack faith and trust in them. But when they depart, one repents. Similarly, Bhagavan drives Arjuna's chariot horses and obeys his commands. When Bhagavan tells Arjuna that a surrendered devotee attains the eternal state by My grace, and that Arjuna too, by fixing his mind on Me, will overcome all obstacles by My grace, Arjuna says nothing. Therefore, Bhagavan had to tell Arjuna to take refuge in the indwelling *Ishvara*.] **Tamev Sharanam Gachchha --** Bhagavan says: Take refuge in that all-pervading *Ishvara* who resides in the hearts of all. Do not depend on worldly objects, individuals, or events that are subject to creation and destruction, but take sole refuge in the imperishable *Paramatma*. In the previous *shloka*, it was said that as long as a human maintains a 'me' and 'mine' relationship with the body-machine, *Ishvara* keeps him revolving by His *Maya*. Now, Bhagavan tells Arjuna here that by not maintaining a 'me' and 'mine' relationship with the body-machine, take refuge solely in that *Ishvara*. **Sarvabhavena --** Taking refuge with *sarvabhava* means that the mind should be absorbed in meditating on that *Paramatma*, bodily actions should be His worship (*pujan*), His *bhajan* (devotional singing) should be with love, and there should be joy in every one of His dispensations (*vidhana*). Whether that *vidhana* is favorable or unfavorable to the body, senses, or mind, consider it to be of Bhagavan alone, and be joyful that Bhagavan has shown such grace upon me by making such a dispensation in my best interest, even without my asking. **Tatprasadat Param Shantim Sthanam Prapsyasi Shashvatam --** Bhagavan had previously said that the eternal state is attained by My grace. He says the same thing here: By the grace of that *Ishvara*, you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode (*shashvatam sthanam*). Bhagavan has said that though I am unborn, imperishable, and the *Ishvara* of all beings, I manifest by bringing My *Prakriti* under control. Those who believe in Me attain peace. Thus, Bhagavan's *Ishvaratva* (divinity/Godhood) is proven. *Ishvara* resides in the hearts of all beings, and Bhagavan Shri Krishna Himself also resides in everyone's heart. From this, it becomes clear that the indwelling *Paramatma* and Bhagavan Shri Krishna are one and the same. When, in the end, Arjuna did not come to My refuge, Bhagavan said: You go to the refuge of that indwelling *Paramatma*. In reality, Bhagavan Shri Krishna Himself is Bhagavan, residing in everyone's heart as *Ishvara*. **Connection --** In the previous *shloka*, Bhagavan had told Arjuna to take refuge in that indwelling *Ishvara*. Even after being told this, Arjuna said nothing. Therefore, in the next *shloka*, Bhagavan grants him freedom.