Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 64

English Translation

Listen again to My highest utterance which is the profoundest of all. Since you are ever dear to Me, therefore I shall speak what is beneficial to you.

Detailed Commentary

।।18.64।। Explanation: "सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः श्रुणु मे परमं वचः" – In the sixty-third verse, Bhagavan spoke of that which is *guhya* (the path of Karma Yoga) and that which is *guhyatar* (surrender to the formless, indwelling Self). Now, seeing Arjuna's concern, Bhagavan says, "I will again tell you the *sarvaguhyatamam*," meaning the most profound secret. "Listen to My supreme and highest words." In this verse, Bhagavan indicates with *sarvaguhyatamam* that this truth is not to be revealed to just anyone. In the sixty-seventh verse, with the phrase "इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय," Bhagavan states that this should never be told to one who is not austere or devoted. Between these two prohibitions, Bhagavan declared, "सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज," which is the most mysterious and special instruction throughout the Gita. In the seventh verse of the second chapter, Arjuna, saying "धर्मसम्मूढचेताः," considers himself incompetent to discern *Dharma* and thus questions Bhagavan and becomes His disciple. Here, Bhagavan says, "Do not take the decision of *Dharma* upon yourself. Leave it to Me and simply take refuge in Me. Then, the fear of sin and other ills, those sins I will liberate you from." This is Bhagavan's *sarvaguhyatamam param vachah*. The meaning of "भूयः श्रृणु" is that "I had said this before in other words, but you did not pay attention. Now I say the same thing again, pay special attention." Bhagavan had said this previously in the phrases "मच्चित्तः सततं भव" (18.57) and "मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादत्तरिष्यसि" (18.58), but there the word *sarvaguhyatamam* was not used. "इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति" – Bhagavan says here, "You are My extremely dear friend." Bhagavan says this to dispel the fear in Arjuna's mind. Another meaning of *ishtah* is that Bhagavan considers His devotee as His *ishta*. According to Bhagavan's own words, "As one takes refuge in Me, so do I grant them refuge." In the Bhagavata, Bhagavan told Uddhava that devotees like him are very dear to Him. The meaning of *dṛḍham* is that once you have said, "I am your refuge," you should no longer fear. Because whoever takes refuge in Me and sincerely says, "I am Yours," him I protect from all beings. "ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्" – "You are My very dear friend, therefore I will tell you the most secret and excellent truth of My heart." By taking refuge in Bhagavan, only your well-being will be secured. There is no well-being for the *jiva* anywhere other than in Bhagavan's refuge, because the *jiva* is an *ansha* of the *Paramatma*. When the *jiva* takes refuge in Bhagavan, it becomes radiant and brings welfare to the world.