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Bhagavad Gītā 18.67 is from the final chapter, where Krishna is summing up his teachings to Arjuna. The Sanskrit verse goes:
Here is Bhagavad Gītā 18.67:
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन ।
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥ १८.६७ ॥
Transliteration:
idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana
na cāśuśrūṣave vāchyaṁ na ca māṁ yo ’bhyasūyati
Meaning (translation):
“This (teaching) should never be spoken to one who is without austerity, nor to one who is without devotion, nor to one who is unwilling to listen, nor to one who finds fault with Me.”
👉 In this verse, Krishna is stressing the sanctity of the knowledge he has just imparted. It is not meant for everyone, but only for those who are disciplined, devoted, receptive, and respectful.
Would you like me to also give you a commentary/explanation from Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja, or a modern perspective?
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Great 🙏 Let’s look at Bhagavad Gītā 18.67 with some traditional and modern commentary:
Sanskrit Verse
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन ।
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥ १८.६७ ॥
Word-by-word meaning
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idam — this (teaching)
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te — by you
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na — not
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atapaskāya — to one without austerities/self-discipline
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na abhaktāya — not to one who lacks devotion
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kadācana — ever, at any time
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na ca aśuśrūṣave — nor to one unwilling to listen/serve
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vācyam — should it be spoken
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na ca mām yo abhyasūyati — nor to one who finds fault with Me
Translation
“This teaching should never be imparted to one who is devoid of austerity, devotion, or willingness to listen, nor to one who is envious or critical of Me.”
Śaṅkara’s Commentary (Advaita)
Śaṅkara says that the Gītā is the essence of all the Upaniṣads—the highest and most secret knowledge. Such sacred teaching must not be given to people who lack self-control, devotion, or humility.
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A person without tapas (discipline) has not purified the mind.
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One without bhakti lacks the love needed to grasp its essence.
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One without śuśrūṣā (willingness to listen) cannot benefit.
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And those who are abhyasūyaka (fault-finders of God) will distort or insult the teaching.
Thus, the verse warns against misusing spiritual wisdom by giving it to unfit students.
Rāmānuja’s Commentary (Viśiṣṭādvaita)
Rāmānuja emphasizes that this teaching is a treasure of devotion and surrender. If told to those who are hostile or indifferent, it might be mocked, neglected, or misinterpreted. Instead, it should be preserved for sincere seekers who are devoted to God and prepared through austerity.
Modern Understanding
Krishna is essentially saying: Sacred wisdom requires readiness.
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Knowledge is powerful, but without discipline and devotion, it can be misunderstood.
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Not everyone is ready for deep truths—forcing it on the unwilling or hostile can even degrade its value.
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This verse also reflects the principle of adhikāra (spiritual eligibility): teachings should be shared with respect for the seeker’s level of preparedness.
✨ In short: The highest wisdom is to be shared only with the sincere, devoted, and open-hearted.
Would you like me to also show you the next verse (18.68–69) where Krishna explains the greatest merit of sharing the Gītā with the right kind of people?
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