Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 72

English Translation

O Partha, has this been listened to by you with a one-pointed mind? O Dhananjaya, has your delusion caused by ignorance been destroyed?

Detailed Commentary

Explanation of 18.72: Regarding "Has this been heard by you, O Pārtha, with an undivided mind?" – This verse closely follows the seventy-first. The glory of propagating and studying the Gita, described in verses sixty-nine and seventy, was not an immediate concern for Arjuna. Therefore, the Lord asks Arjuna whether he has listened to the Gita attentively or not. To listen with *ekāgratā* (one-pointedness) means to have paid attention to the topic of *sarvaguhyatama śaraṇāgati* (the most profound surrender), as revealed in the Gita (18.66). Regarding "Has your delusion born of ignorance been destroyed, O Dhanañjaya?" – The Lord poses a second question: whether your *moha* (delusion) born of *ajñāna* (ignorance) has been annihilated or not. If the *moha* is destroyed, then you have properly assimilated My instruction. If the *moha* has not vanished, then you have not listened with *śraddhā* (faith) and *ekāgratā*. For, whoever listens to the Gita with *śraddhā* and without a critical disposition, his *moha* is certainly dispelled. By addressing him as "Pārtha," the Lord lovingly inquires of Arjuna whether his delusion has been overcome. In the twenty-fifth verse of the first chapter as well, the Lord prompted Arjuna to listen. There, using the address "Pārtha," He says, "O Pārtha, behold the kinsmen assembled for battle." The intention was for Arjuna's *kutumbika moha* (familial delusion) to awaken, making him receptive to the teachings. Now, here, while concluding the discourse concerning the removal of that very *moha*, the Lord again uses the address "Pārtha." With the address "Dhanañjaya," the Lord states that you have earned the name Dhanañjaya by conquering worldly riches. Now, by attaining the true wealth in the form of the essence of the Gita, destroy your delusion and become Dhanañjaya in the true sense. Connection: Arjuna provides the answer to the question posed by the Lord in the previous verse, in the subsequent verse.