Bhagavad Gita 18.76 — Sañjaya Rejoices Again and Again in Remembering the Sacred Dialogue
राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम् ।
केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ १८.७६ ॥
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O King, remembering again and again this wonderful and sacred dialogue of Keśhava and Arjuna, I rejoice again and again.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| rājan | O King |
| saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya | remembering again and again |
| saṁvādam | dialogue |
| imam | this |
| adbhutam | wonderful |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| keśhavārjunayoḥ | of Keśhava and Arjuna |
| puṇyam | sacred, holy |
| hṛṣhyāmi | I rejoice |
| cha | and |
| muhuḥ muhuḥ | again and again |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| rājan | O King | keśhavārjunayoḥ | of Keśhava and Arjuna |
| saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya | remembering again and again | puṇyam | sacred, holy |
| saṁvādam | dialogue | hṛṣhyāmi | I rejoice |
| imam | this | cha | and |
| adbhutam | wonderful | muhuḥ muhuḥ | again and again |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Sañjaya tells King Dhṛtarāṣṭra how he feels whenever he recalls this holy and wonderful dialogue between Keśava and Arjuna. He says that he rejoices again and again.
Essence
The joy of remembering
After the heavy events of the battlefield and the discussion of difficult truths, this verse brings a note of simple delight. Sañjaya describes the effect of remembering the Gita.
Rājan (O King): Sañjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra directly. He is sharing his experience with the one to whom his duty is owed, and perhaps gently inviting him to feel the same joy.
Saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya (remembering again and again): The repetition is deliberate. Sañjaya does not recall the dialogue once, but constantly. Each time he thinks of it, his heart is moved anew. This shows that great teachings are not exhausted by a single hearing.
Saṁvādam imam adbhutam (this wonderful dialogue): Once again, he calls it astonishing.
Keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyam (the holy dialogue of Keśava and Arjuna): The word puṇya means sacred and purifying. Simply remembering this conversation is spiritually cleansing. Keśava is a name of Lord Krishna.
Hṛṣyāmi ca muhur muhuḥ (and I rejoice again and again): The result of remembrance is joy that arises repeatedly. It is not an intense one-time excitement but a renewed delight that comes each time the memory is touched.
The lasting effect of remembrance
This verse reveals one of the quiet functions of the Gita. It is not meant only to be understood once, but to be recalled, so that its light remains a part of one's inner life. A teaching that comes back to mind at moments of stress and gives comfort and clarity has become truly alive.
Notice that Sañjaya's joy does not depend on external circumstances. The war continues and the future of his king's family is in grave danger. Yet within him there is gladness, because his mind is anchored in something higher.
Message for Everyday Life (Keeping Inspiration Alive)
Many of us experience inspiration only briefly. We read a powerful passage and forget it within days.
A practice: Choose a verse, a saying, or a memory that inspires you. Return to it regularly, at the start of the day or during moments of stress. The repeated remembrance gradually builds a reservoir of calm joy within you.
The joy of remembering
After the heavy events of the battlefield and the discussion of difficult truths, this verse brings a note of simple delight. Sañjaya describes the effect of remembering the Gita.
Rājan (O King): Sañjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra directly. He is sharing his experience with the one to whom his duty is owed, and perhaps gently inviting him to feel the same joy.
Saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya (remembering again and again): The repetition is deliberate. Sañjaya does not recall the dialogue once, but constantly. Each time he thinks of it, his heart is moved anew. This shows that great teachings are not exhausted by a single hearing.
Saṁvādam imam adbhutam (this wonderful dialogue): Once again, he calls it astonishing.
Keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyam (the holy dialogue of Keśava and Arjuna): The word puṇya means sacred and purifying. Simply remembering this conversation is spiritually cleansing. Keśava is a name of Lord Krishna.
Hṛṣyāmi ca muhur muhuḥ (and I rejoice again and again): The result of remembrance is joy that arises repeatedly. It is not an intense one-time excitement but a renewed delight that comes each time the memory is touched.
The lasting effect of remembrance
This verse reveals one of the quiet functions of the Gita. It is not meant only to be understood once, but to be recalled, so that its light remains a part of one's inner life. A teaching that comes back to mind at moments of stress and gives comfort and clarity has become truly alive.
Notice that Sañjaya's joy does not depend on external circumstances. The war continues and the future of his king's family is in grave danger. Yet within him there is gladness, because his mind is anchored in something higher.
Message for Everyday Life (Keeping Inspiration Alive)
Many of us experience inspiration only briefly. We read a powerful passage and forget it within days.
A practice: Choose a verse, a saying, or a memory that inspires you. Return to it regularly, at the start of the day or during moments of stress. The repeated remembrance gradually builds a reservoir of calm joy within you.
Next Topic
Sañjaya has described the joy that comes from remembering the dialogue. In the next verse, he adds that he also remembers the wondrous universal form of the Lord, and that this fills him with great amazement.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Good teaching keeps giving joy.
Recall wisdom often.
What we remember, we live.
Holy words are worth revisiting.
Joy grows by remembering.
Each recollection reveals something new.
Joy invites sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya' (remembering again and again) mean?
Why is the dialogue called 'puṇyam' (sacred) and 'adbhutam' (wonderful)?
Who is 'rājan' (O King) in this verse?
What does 'hṛṣhyāmi muhuḥ muhuḥ' (I rejoice again and again) tell us?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
Explore related topics
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