Bhagavad Gita 18.58 — By Grace One Crosses All Obstacles; Ego Leads to Ruin
मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि ।
अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ॥ १८.५८ ॥
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With your mind fixed on Me, you will cross over all obstacles by My grace. But if, out of egoism, you do not listen, you will perish.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| machchittaḥ | with the mind fixed on Me |
| sarvadurgāṇi | all difficulties, all obstacles |
| matprasādāt | by My grace |
| tariṣhyasi | you will cross over |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| atha | but |
| chet | if |
| tvam | you |
| ahaṅkārāt | out of egoism |
| na | not |
| śhroṣhyasi | will listen |
| vinaṅkṣhyasi | you will perish, you will be lost |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| machchittaḥ | with the mind fixed on Me | atha | but |
| sarvadurgāṇi | all difficulties, all obstacles | chet | if |
| matprasādāt | by My grace | tvam | you |
| tariṣhyasi | you will cross over | ahaṅkārāt | out of egoism |
| na | not | ||
| śhroṣhyasi | will listen | ||
| vinaṅkṣhyasi | you will perish, you will be lost | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna gives both a promise and a warning. If Arjuna keeps his mind fixed on Him, he will cross over all obstacles by His grace, but if out of ego he does not listen, he will be lost.
Essence
Grace on one side, ego on the other
The verse states a clear choice. There are two paths, one leading to freedom and the other to loss, and what separates them is the attitude of the heart.
Mac-cittaḥ (with the mind fixed on Me): The condition is the same as in the previous verse, a mind turned toward the Lord.
Sarva-durgāṇi (all difficulties, all impassable places): The word durga refers to a fortress or a place that is hard to cross, such as a mountain pass or a treacherous swamp. It stands for the obstacles that block a person's way in life, including fear, doubt, grief, temptation, and the cycle of repeated suffering.
Mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi (you will cross by My grace): The promise is wonderfully reassuring. Arjuna is not asked to overcome every difficulty alone through his own strength. Grace carries him across.
Atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān na śroṣyasi (but if, out of ego, you do not listen): Here the warning appears. The obstacle to receiving guidance is not a lack of ability but ahaṅkāra, the ego that insists on its own way and cannot accept advice.
Vinaṅkṣyasi (you will be lost): The consequence is serious. A person who refuses wise guidance because of pride loses the very goal they might have reached.
A warning spoken with love
This warning should not be read as a threat. Lord Krishna has spent the entire Gita patiently explaining and encouraging, and He speaks here as a friend who sees the danger clearly. The ego is the single greatest barrier to growth. A mind that already believes it knows everything leaves no room for learning, and a heart that insists on self-reliance leaves no room for grace.
Message for Everyday Life (The Cost of Pride)
Many of our worst mistakes come not from lack of information, but from unwillingness to listen. We ignore advice from a doctor, a mentor, or a friend because it threatens our self-image.
A practice: The next time someone offers you honest counsel that stings, pause before reacting. Ask, Is there truth here that my pride is resisting? A readiness to listen is one of the surest signs of wisdom.
Grace on one side, ego on the other
The verse states a clear choice. There are two paths, one leading to freedom and the other to loss, and what separates them is the attitude of the heart.
Mac-cittaḥ (with the mind fixed on Me): The condition is the same as in the previous verse, a mind turned toward the Lord.
Sarva-durgāṇi (all difficulties, all impassable places): The word durga refers to a fortress or a place that is hard to cross, such as a mountain pass or a treacherous swamp. It stands for the obstacles that block a person's way in life, including fear, doubt, grief, temptation, and the cycle of repeated suffering.
Mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi (you will cross by My grace): The promise is wonderfully reassuring. Arjuna is not asked to overcome every difficulty alone through his own strength. Grace carries him across.
Atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān na śroṣyasi (but if, out of ego, you do not listen): Here the warning appears. The obstacle to receiving guidance is not a lack of ability but ahaṅkāra, the ego that insists on its own way and cannot accept advice.
Vinaṅkṣyasi (you will be lost): The consequence is serious. A person who refuses wise guidance because of pride loses the very goal they might have reached.
A warning spoken with love
This warning should not be read as a threat. Lord Krishna has spent the entire Gita patiently explaining and encouraging, and He speaks here as a friend who sees the danger clearly. The ego is the single greatest barrier to growth. A mind that already believes it knows everything leaves no room for learning, and a heart that insists on self-reliance leaves no room for grace.
Message for Everyday Life (The Cost of Pride)
Many of our worst mistakes come not from lack of information, but from unwillingness to listen. We ignore advice from a doctor, a mentor, or a friend because it threatens our self-image.
A practice: The next time someone offers you honest counsel that stings, pause before reacting. Ask, Is there truth here that my pride is resisting? A readiness to listen is one of the surest signs of wisdom.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has warned that ego can cause a person to reject guidance. In the next verse, He applies this directly to Arjuna's resolve not to fight, and tells him that this decision, born of ego, is false.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
No wall is too high for the humble heart.
Wisdom offered is wasted on pride.
Faith turns obstacles into stepping stones.
Pride is the heaviest burden.
Listen before you leap.
Warnings come from those who care.
Choose openness over ego.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'sarvadurgāṇi' (all difficulties) mean?
What does 'matprasādāt tariṣhyasi' (by My grace you will cross over) mean?
What does 'ahaṅkārāt' (out of egoism) mean in the warning?
What does 'vinaṅkṣhyasi' (you will perish) mean? Is it a threat?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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