Bhagavad Gita 18.68 — Sharing the Supreme Secret With Devotees Leads Surely to the Lord
य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति ।
भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ॥ १८.६८ ॥
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One who teaches this supreme secret among My devotees, having shown supreme devotion to Me, will come to Me alone, without doubt.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yaḥ | who |
| idam | this |
| paramam | supreme |
| guhyam | secret |
| madbhakteṣhu | among My devotees |
| abhidhāsyati | will teach, will explain |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhaktim | devotion |
| mayi | to Me |
| parām | supreme |
| kṛtvā | having shown, having offered |
| mām | to Me |
| eva | alone |
| eṣhyati | will come |
| asaṁśhayaḥ | without doubt |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yaḥ | who | bhaktim | devotion |
| idam | this | mayi | to Me |
| paramam | supreme | parām | supreme |
| guhyam | secret | kṛtvā | having shown, having offered |
| madbhakteṣhu | among My devotees | mām | to Me |
| abhidhāsyati | will teach, will explain | eva | alone |
| eṣhyati | will come | ||
| asaṁśhayaḥ | without doubt | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna declares the blessing for one who shares this supreme secret among His devotees. Such a person, offering the highest devotion to the Lord, will without doubt come to Him.
Essence
The joy and merit of sharing wisdom
After describing those to whom the teaching should not be given thoughtlessly, Lord Krishna now describes those who may share it. The tone becomes one of great encouragement.
Ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ (whoever this supreme secret): The reference is to the teaching just given, especially the message of surrender and devotion.
Mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati (shall explain among My devotees): The sharing is done among those who are sincere and receptive, who love the Lord and wish to understand. It takes place in a spirit of fellowship, within a community of seekers.
Bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā (offering the highest devotion to Me): The person who shares the teaching does so out of devotion. It is an act of love and not a means of gaining fame, status, or income. Teaching becomes a form of worship.
Mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ (he will surely come to Me, without doubt): The promise is firm. The word asaṁśayaḥ means without any doubt. The Lord gives this assurance to one who shares sacred wisdom in the right spirit.
Why does sharing help the sharer?
There is deep psychological wisdom in this verse. When we try to explain something we have learned, we understand it more thoroughly ourselves. And when we share wisdom out of love, the ego is loosened, since the act is for the benefit of others and not for self-display. In this way, teaching purifies and deepens the teacher.
This also gives a certain responsibility. The sharing must be offered with humility and sincerity, as an extension of one's own devotion, not as a performance.
Message for Everyday Life (Share What Helps You)
Anything valuable we have learned can be shared in the right way. It might be a lesson from a book, a helpful practice, or a perspective that has eased our own difficulties.
A gentle approach: Share when others are interested, and without pressure or pride. Speak from your own experience, and let your life, more than your words, be the main teaching.
The joy and merit of sharing wisdom
After describing those to whom the teaching should not be given thoughtlessly, Lord Krishna now describes those who may share it. The tone becomes one of great encouragement.
Ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ (whoever this supreme secret): The reference is to the teaching just given, especially the message of surrender and devotion.
Mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati (shall explain among My devotees): The sharing is done among those who are sincere and receptive, who love the Lord and wish to understand. It takes place in a spirit of fellowship, within a community of seekers.
Bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā (offering the highest devotion to Me): The person who shares the teaching does so out of devotion. It is an act of love and not a means of gaining fame, status, or income. Teaching becomes a form of worship.
Mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ (he will surely come to Me, without doubt): The promise is firm. The word asaṁśayaḥ means without any doubt. The Lord gives this assurance to one who shares sacred wisdom in the right spirit.
Why does sharing help the sharer?
There is deep psychological wisdom in this verse. When we try to explain something we have learned, we understand it more thoroughly ourselves. And when we share wisdom out of love, the ego is loosened, since the act is for the benefit of others and not for self-display. In this way, teaching purifies and deepens the teacher.
This also gives a certain responsibility. The sharing must be offered with humility and sincerity, as an extension of one's own devotion, not as a performance.
Message for Everyday Life (Share What Helps You)
Anything valuable we have learned can be shared in the right way. It might be a lesson from a book, a helpful practice, or a perspective that has eased our own difficulties.
A gentle approach: Share when others are interested, and without pressure or pride. Speak from your own experience, and let your life, more than your words, be the main teaching.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has promised that one who shares this wisdom in devotion will reach Him. In the next verse, He adds that no one in the world does more dear service to Him than such a person.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Wisdom grows when it is passed on.
Teach with love, not pride.
Giving knowledge is giving light.
Trust the promise made to the devoted.
A good teacher remains a student.
Each teacher lights the next lamp.
To share what you love is a joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'paramam guhyam' (supreme secret) refer to in this verse?
Why is the teaching to be shared 'madbhakteṣhu' (among My devotees)?
What does 'bhaktim mayi parām kṛtvā' (showing supreme devotion to Me) mean?
What does 'asaṁśhayaḥ' (without doubt) emphasise?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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