Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 68

English Translation

He who, entertaining supreme devotion to Me, will speak of this highest secret, to My devotees will without doubt reach Me alone.

Detailed Commentary

।।18.68।। **Commentary:** **Bhaktiṁ Mayi Parāṁ Kṛtvā** – The person who recites this Gita, having cultivated supreme *bhakti* for Me. This means they do not speak out of a desire for any kind of financial or social approval, offerings, *pūja*, honor, etc. Rather, their purpose is devotion to Bhagavan, contemplation of divine sentiments (*Bhagavadbhava*), their propagation, and the alleviation of people's suffering. If one speaks thus, they speak with supreme *bhakti*. In the 54th *shloka* of this very chapter, it is stated that after attaining the *Brahmabhuta* state, a *Yogi* achieves *parābhakti*, meaning the remembrance of their ancient relationship with Bhagavan. Here, it is about not desiring worldly honor and respect, but aspiring solely for devotion to Bhagavan. **Ya Idaṁ Paramaṁ Guhyam** – By these words, the entire Gita is considered a supremely secret discourse (*Paramaguhya samvad*). **Madbhakteṣvabhidhāsyati** – One who has *shraddhā* (faith) in Bhagavan and His words is a *bhakta*. One who declares this discourse among My devotees will attain Me. Here, in the first *shloka*, 'nābhaktāya' (to one who is not a devotee) was singular, and here 'madbhakteṣu' (among My devotees) is plural. This implies that when many people are listening, the prohibition does not apply to an individual affected by the previously mentioned flaw. Just as if a crow comes to peck grains among pigeons, it cannot be driven away. During a Gita *pravachan*, the speaker's attention is on the listeners. **Māmevaiṣyatyasaṁśayaḥ** – If the purpose of the one who recites the Gita is solely Me, then they will attain Me, there is no doubt. A special characteristic of the Gita is that Bhagavan can be attained even through natural actions, by performing *pūjan* (worship) with *niṣkāma-bhāva* (desireless attitude). One who offers food, drink, purification, bathing, etc., to Bhagavan also becomes liberated from *karmabandhana* (the bondage of karma). Thus, one who propagates the Gita with the aim of devotion to Bhagavan attains Bhagavan.