Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 69

English Translation

And as compared with him, none else among human beings is the best accomplisher of what is dear to Me. Moreover, nor will there be anyone else in the world dearer to Me than he.

Detailed Commentary

।।18.69।। Commentary — "Na cha tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaśchin me priyakṛttamaḥ" — One who is engrossed in worldly material ambitions or needs cannot come under the purview of *parā-bhakti*. Only one who has no aim of obtaining material things and desires to live life according to the *Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā* with spiritual objectives such as attaining God, divine vision (*darśana*), and love, can attain *parā-bhakti*. Such a person alone is qualified to propagate the *Gītā*. Even if a desire for honor and praise were to arise in them, it would not last, because their sole purpose is to propagate the *Gītā* for the pleasure of the Lord. Therefore, the Lord says that among men, there is no one who performs a work as supremely dear to Him as he, because there is no other work as dear to Him as the propagation of the *Gītā*. The meaning of *priyakṛttamaḥ* is that while propagating the *Gītā*, he has no self-interest and does not crave honor or respect. Therefore, he is very dear to the Lord. Among the devotees of the Lord, the propagator of the *Gītā* can be considered the most beloved person, because the opportunity to attain the Lord is available only in the human *yoni*. One who respectfully inspires others to read and understand the *Gītā* can also be the dearest to the Lord on Earth. In *Gṛhastha* life, a person from any *dharma*, *jāti*, attire (*veśa*), and *āśrama* can attain the Lord by following the path of the *Gītā*. Anyone who respects the *Gītā*, regardless of their *dharma*, if they follow the *Gītā* according to their inclination, can also attain *Paramātmā*. The *Gītā* does not advocate changing one's social form, attire, or *āśrama*, but rather purifying one's feelings (*bhāva*) and intentions (*uddeśya*). One who guides devotees on the path to God will be most dear to the Lord, because the Lord is pleased by the liberation (*uddhāra*) of beings. Relation — What should one do if they do not possess the qualification to propagate the *Gītā*? The Lord explains this in the subsequent verse.