Bhagavad Gita 18.71 — Even Faithful Listening Without Fault-Finding Brings Liberation and Good Worlds
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः ।
सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥ १८.७१ ॥
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Even the person who, full of faith and free from fault-finding, merely listens to it, being freed, will attain the auspicious worlds of those of righteous deeds.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śhraddhāvān | full of faith |
| anasūyaḥ | free from fault-finding, free from envy |
| cha | and |
| śhṛṇuyāt | may hear |
| api | even |
| yaḥ | who |
| naraḥ | a person |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| saḥ | he |
| api | also |
| muktaḥ | freed |
| śhubhān | auspicious |
| lokān | worlds |
| prāpnuyāt | will attain |
| puṇyakarmaṇām | of those of righteous deeds |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śhraddhāvān | full of faith | saḥ | he |
| anasūyaḥ | free from fault-finding, free from envy | api | also |
| cha | and | muktaḥ | freed |
| śhṛṇuyāt | may hear | śhubhān | auspicious |
| api | even | lokān | worlds |
| yaḥ | who | prāpnuyāt | will attain |
| naraḥ | a person | puṇyakarmaṇām | of those of righteous deeds |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here Lord Krishna gives a gentle and inclusive assurance. Even a person who merely listens to this teaching with faith and without fault-finding will be freed and will attain the auspicious worlds of those who have done righteous deeds.
Essence
Even listening bears fruit
The previous verses spoke of those who teach and those who study. Lord Krishna now speaks of the simplest participation, which is listening. He offers a blessing that is open to everyone.
Śraddhāvān (with faith): The first condition is śraddhā, a trusting openness. It does not require blind belief, but a willingness to take the teaching seriously and allow it to speak.
Anasūyaś ca (and without envy or fault-finding): The second condition is freedom from asūyā, the habit of looking for flaws, sneering, or resenting. A mind that is constantly critical cannot receive anything. The verse invites listening without prejudice.
Śṛṇuyād api yo naraḥ (even if a person merely hears): The word api means even. Even listening alone, without teaching or deep study, is enough to receive a blessing. This is a remarkably generous statement.
So 'pi muktaḥ (he too becomes freed): Such a person is liberated from the bonds of sin and sorrow, to the degree that the teaching takes hold in their life.
Śubhāṁl lokān prāpnuyāt puṇya-karmaṇām (he attains the auspicious worlds of the righteous): The result is a happy and elevated state, the destination of those who have acted well.
Why does simple listening matter?
Hearing a teaching with faith and an open mind plants a seed. Even if the listener does not fully understand at first, the words stay in the mind and gradually influence thought and conduct. Many people have found that a verse heard long ago returned to them at exactly the moment they needed it.
This verse also shows the compassion of the Gita. The path is not limited to scholars or advanced practitioners. Anyone who approaches with sincerity can benefit.
Message for Everyday Life (The Power of Open Listening)
Listening with an open and uncritical mind is a rare skill. We so often listen only to respond or to find fault.
A practice: The next time you listen to a talk, a reading, or a person sharing their wisdom, listen fully, setting aside the urge to criticise or reply. Notice what stays with you afterward.
Even listening bears fruit
The previous verses spoke of those who teach and those who study. Lord Krishna now speaks of the simplest participation, which is listening. He offers a blessing that is open to everyone.
Śraddhāvān (with faith): The first condition is śraddhā, a trusting openness. It does not require blind belief, but a willingness to take the teaching seriously and allow it to speak.
Anasūyaś ca (and without envy or fault-finding): The second condition is freedom from asūyā, the habit of looking for flaws, sneering, or resenting. A mind that is constantly critical cannot receive anything. The verse invites listening without prejudice.
Śṛṇuyād api yo naraḥ (even if a person merely hears): The word api means even. Even listening alone, without teaching or deep study, is enough to receive a blessing. This is a remarkably generous statement.
So 'pi muktaḥ (he too becomes freed): Such a person is liberated from the bonds of sin and sorrow, to the degree that the teaching takes hold in their life.
Śubhāṁl lokān prāpnuyāt puṇya-karmaṇām (he attains the auspicious worlds of the righteous): The result is a happy and elevated state, the destination of those who have acted well.
Why does simple listening matter?
Hearing a teaching with faith and an open mind plants a seed. Even if the listener does not fully understand at first, the words stay in the mind and gradually influence thought and conduct. Many people have found that a verse heard long ago returned to them at exactly the moment they needed it.
This verse also shows the compassion of the Gita. The path is not limited to scholars or advanced practitioners. Anyone who approaches with sincerity can benefit.
Message for Everyday Life (The Power of Open Listening)
Listening with an open and uncritical mind is a rare skill. We so often listen only to respond or to find fault.
A practice: The next time you listen to a talk, a reading, or a person sharing their wisdom, listen fully, setting aside the urge to criticise or reply. Notice what stays with you afterward.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has completed the glorification of this teaching and its blessings. In the next verse, as the Gita draws to its close, He turns to Arjuna with a searching question: has he heard all this with a focused mind, and has his delusion been destroyed?
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
An open ear can change a life.
Listen with trust.
Hear before you judge.
Even simple listening can transform.
Receptive hearts are cleansed by truth.
How you listen shapes what you receive.
Wisdom is open to all who listen sincerely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do 'śhraddhāvān' (full of faith) and 'anasūyaḥ' (free from fault-finding) mean?
Why does Krishna say 'śhṛṇuyāt api' (even if one only listens)?
What does 'muktaḥ' (freed) mean in this verse?
What are 'śhubhān lokān' (auspicious worlds) and 'puṇyakarmaṇām' (of those of righteous deeds)?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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