Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 67

English Translation

This (that I have taught) you should not ever be taught to one who is devoid of austerities and to one who is not a devotee; also, neither to one who does not render service, nor as well to one who cavils at Me.

Detailed Commentary

18.67. Elucidation: *Idam Te Na Atapaskāya* — Here, the word "Idam" refers to the instruction given in the previous verse: "sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja" (Abandon all varieties of dharma and simply surrender unto Me alone). Tapas (austerity) is the cheerful endurance of difficulties that naturally arise while performing one's duties. Without Tapas, purity does not manifest in the inner consciousness (antaḥkaraṇa), and without purity, good teachings cannot be assimilated. Therefore, the Lord says that this secret should not be revealed to one who is not a Tapasvī (one who practices austerity). One who is not forbearing (sahiṣṇu) is also considered 'atapaskāya' (devoid of austerity). Hence, this secret should not be disclosed to such a person either. This forbearance (sahiṣṇutā) is of four types: (1) Dvandva-sahiṣṇutā: Being free from dualities (dvandvas) such as attachment-aversion (rāga-dveṣa), joy-sorrow (harṣa-śoka), pleasure-pain (sukha-duḥkha), honor-dishonor (māna-apamāna), censure-praise (nindā-stuti), etc. (2) Vega-sahiṣṇutā: Not allowing impulses (vegas) like lust (kāma), anger (krodha), greed (lobha), hatred (dveṣa), etc., to arise. (3) Paramata-sahiṣṇutā: Not developing doubt in one's own conviction upon hearing others' opinions. (4) Parotkarṣa-sahiṣṇutā: Not experiencing disturbance within oneself upon hearing praise for others' abilities. Those who aspire to all these forms of forbearance are indeed the Tapasvīs. Not revealing this secret to such an intolerant (asahiṣṇu) person means that he will not tolerate our secret and will disrespect it, leading to his downfall. Another implication is that one who does not aim to purify their tendencies (vṛttis), conduct (ācaraṇa), etc., will misunderstand the Lord's statement and engage in vices. Therefore, never reveal this to such a person. *Na Abhaktāya Kadācana* — To one who is devoid of devotion (bhakti), who does not trust the Lord, the Lord may appear selfish. Such a person may fall, hence never tell this to them. *Na Ca Aśuśrūṣave* — Do not reveal it even to one who has no desire to listen. Forcing them to listen might lead to disrespect. *Na Ca Māṁ Yo'bhyasūyati* — Do not reveal it to one who finds fault in the Lord's qualities, because their mind, afflicted with a critical outlook (doṣadṛṣṭi), will move towards degradation. The import of not revealing this confidential secret to others is that it should not be told to those who lack faith (śraddhā) in the Lord and His words, lest they misunderstand the Lord as selfish and thus proceed towards degradation. Connection: The effect of the Gītā is such that whoever propagates it will be dear to the Lord — this is what the Lord states in the subsequent verses.