Chapter 18, Verse 67
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन | न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥67॥
idaṃ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana | na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṃ na ca māṃ yo’bhyasūyati ||
"This (confidential knowledge) should never be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerity, nor to one who is not a devotee, nor to one who does not wish to serve, nor to one who finds fault with Me."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.67 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.67 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna concludes His discourse by setting the criteria for the dissemination of this sacred knowledge. He identifies four types of people who are ineligible: 1) Those lacking self-discipline (atapaska), 2) Those without devotion (abhakta), 3) Those unwilling to listen or serve (aśuśrūṣu), and 4) Those who are envious of the Divine (abhyasūyati). The restriction is not out of elitism, but out of compassion; sharing profound truths with the unprepared or the cynical often leads them to commit 'aparādha' (offenses) or misunderstand the message, causing them spiritual harm rather than benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 18.67?
This (confidential knowledge) should never be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerity, nor to one who is not a devotee, nor to one who does not wish to serve, nor to one who finds fault with Me.