Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 67 Meaning in Hindi & English

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation), brings us to the concluding epilogue of the scripture. Having just delivered the ultimate charter of surrender in the previous verse, Lord Krishna now transitions from personal instruction to public dissemination. He provides clear guidelines on how and to whom this sacred wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita should be shared.

Krishna explicitly declares that this supreme knowledge should never be spoken to those who lack austerity, those who are devoid of devotion, those who refuse to serve, or those who mock and envy Him (idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadāchana / na chāśhuśhrūṣhave vācyam na cha māṁ yo 'bhyasūyati). Spiritual wisdom is a precious treasure that flourishes best when received by a prepared, receptive, and respectful heart.

By detailing these safeguards for sharing wisdom, Krishna addresses:

• The importance of readiness and receptivity in spiritual education: atapaskāya (lacking austerity/discipline).

• The necessity of devotion: na abhaktāya (not to the non-devotee).

• The value of a humble, eager attitude to learn: na aśhuśhrūṣhave (not to one who does not wish to listen).

• Protecting sacred knowledge from cynical ridicule: na māṁ yo 'bhyasūyati (not to one who envies or resents the Divine).

Wanting Arjuna to understand the sacred responsibility of passing on divine truth, Krishna outlines the guidelines for teaching spiritual wisdom.

He says:

• "This confidential knowledge may never be explained to one who is not austere, who is not devoted, who is not engaged in service, or who is envious of Me."

This verse is extremely significant because it teaches us discernment in sharing wisdom, ensuring that spiritual teachings are offered to those who value them rather than being cast before cynicism.

The central teaching of this verse is: Sacred spiritual wisdom should only be shared with those who are disciplined, devoted, and receptive, and never with the cynical or envious.

Bhagavad Gita 18.67 – The Stewardship of Sacred Wisdom

Lord Krishna outlines the ethical boundaries of teaching spiritual truth:

• Idam Te Na Atapaskaya: Never impart this deep wisdom (idam) to one who lacks discipline, self-control, or austerity (atapaskāya).

• Na Abhaktaya Kadachana: Nor ever (kadāchana) to one who lacks faith and devotion (abhaktāya).

• Na Cha Ashushrushave Vacyam: Nor to one who has no desire to listen, serve, or learn (aśhuśhrūṣhave).

• Na Cha Mam Yo Abhyasuyati: And certainly never to one who harbors envy, resentment, or cynicism toward the Divine (abhyasūyati).

• It highlights that true teaching requires a fertile, respectful soil.

The essence of this verse is: Wisdom is a sacred trust; share it with those who approach it with reverence and discipline, avoiding those who mock or reject it out of cynicism.

Bhagavad Gita 18.67 – Sanskrit Shlok & Transliteration

Sanskrit Shlok

इदं ते नातपस्क्याय नाभक्ताय कदाचन।

न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥ ६७ ॥

Shlok in Hinglish

Sanskrit Transliteration / Hinglish

Idam Te Na Atapaskaya Na Abhaktaya Kadachana

Na Cha Ashushrushave Vacyam Na Cha Mam Yo Abhyasuyati

English Transliteration

idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadāchana

na chāśhuśhrūṣhave vācyam na cha māṁ yo 'bhyasūyati

Word-by-Word Meaning (शब्दार्थ)

Verse Meaning (अनुवाद)

Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अनुवाद)

इस गोपनीय रहस्य को कभी भी न तो तपहीन मनुष्य से कहना चाहिए, न भक्तिहीन से, न सेवाभाव रहित से और न ही मुझमें दोष दृष्टि रखने वाले (ईर्ष्या करने वाले) से ही कभी कहना चाहिए।

English Meaning

This confidential knowledge may never be explained to one who is not austere, who is not devoted, who is not engaged in service, or who is envious of Me.

Deep Insights & Philosophical Context

1. The Soil and the Seed

In ancient traditions, spiritual knowledge was treated like a rare seed. If you throw a seed onto hard, rocky asphalt, it will wither and die. It needs soft, tilled soil. Similarly, profound spiritual truths require a prepared mind—one with discipline (tapas), devotion (bhakti), and a willingness to learn (śhuśhrūṣhā)—otherwise, they will be misunderstood, twisted, or mocked.

2. Protecting Sacred Truth from Cynicism

When sacred concepts are shared with someone who is deeply cynical or envious (abhyasūyati), it often results in disrespect, mockery, and unnecessary argument. Wisdom is meant to uplift, not to be dragged into cynical debate with those who refuse to see.

3. The Responsibility of the Teacher

Krishna places a heavy ethical duty on Arjuna (and all teachers of truth): be discerning. Do not force profound wisdom onto unwilling, closed-minded, or mocking ears. Share your light with those who open their windows to receive it.

Life Lessons from Bhagavad Gita 18.67

• Exercise Discernment in Sharing Wisdom: Do not waste your deepest insights on people who are entirely closed-minded or looking to mock your values. (Modern Takeaway: Choose your intellectual and spiritual circles wisely.)

• Cultivate a Receptive, Humble Mind: Ensure that you approach learning with discipline, devotion, and a genuine desire to grow. (Modern Takeaway: Approach mentors and knowledge with humility and respect.)

• Protect Your Inner Peace: Avoid getting dragged into endless, toxic debates with cynics who harbor deep resentment toward higher truths. (Modern Takeaway: Guard your energy and share your wisdom where it is truly welcomed.)

Modern-Day Relevance

In the modern digital age, information is everywhere, often shouted into comment sections, social media feeds, and public forums where cynicism, mockery, and bad faith run rampant. People frequently share profound personal values, spiritual insights, or mental health lessons online, only to have them ridiculed by trolls and cynics.

Bhagavad Gita 18.67 offers an ancient, timeless rule of digital and personal communication: discernment. It reminds modern individuals that not every platform deserves your deepest truths, and that sacred, meaningful wisdom should be reserved for those who approach it with respect, openness, and sincerity.

Practical Example

Imagine an individual passionate about personal growth, mindfulness, or spiritual philosophy:

• The Indiscriminate Sharer: Loudly forces their deep personal beliefs into hostile family dinners or toxic online comment sections, resulting in mockery, resentment, and wasted emotional energy.

• The Discerning Teacher (Gita 18.67): Shares their insights gently with those who express genuine curiosity and openness (śhuśhrūṣhā), while maintaining dignified silence around chronic cynics, protecting both the wisdom and their own inner peace.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why does Lord Krishna restrict sharing the Bhagavad Gita in Verse 67?

Ans: Because profound spiritual wisdom requires a prepared, receptive mind; sharing it with cynics or the undisciplined leads to misunderstanding and disrespect.

Q2. Who are the people unfit to receive this knowledge according to this verse?

Ans: Those lacking discipline (atapaskaya), those without devotion (abhaktaya), those unwilling to listen or serve (ashushrushave), and those who envy or mock the Divine (abhyasuyati).

Q3. Does this mean spiritual wisdom should be kept a secret from everyone?

Ans: No; it means it should not be forced upon hostile or mocking individuals, but freely shared with sincere, eager seekers.

Q4. What does ashushrushave mean?

Ans: It refers to someone who lacks the desire to listen, learn, or serve—someone closed off to receiving instruction.

Q5. How can modern readers apply this verse?

Ans: By practicing discernment in conversations, avoiding toxic debates with bad-faith cynics, and sharing meaningful insights with those who truly value them.

Practical Applications of Bhagavad Gita 18.67

• Practice Communication Discernment: Before sharing deep personal values or insights, gauge whether the listener is genuinely open or just looking to argue.

• Protect Your Energy from Trolls: Avoid wasting time arguing with chronic cynics in online forums or hostile social environments.

• Cultivate a Student Mindset: Approach new knowledge with humility, eagerness to learn, and discipline (tapas).

• Share Wisely: Direct your energy toward mentoring and uplifting those who show genuine dedication and respect for growth.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I waste my emotional and intellectual energy trying to convince hostile cynics of my values?

• Am I approaching my own learning with genuine humility and openness?

• How can I exercise better discernment in where and with whom I share my deepest insights?

Related Verses to Explore Next

• Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 68: The immense spiritual reward given to the person who shares this supreme secret with devotees.

• Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 69: Declaring that no servant is dearer to Krishna than the one who spreads this wisdom.

• Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 1-3: Characteristics of those qualified for divine qualities versus demonic qualities.

• Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 66: The ultimate surrender and promise of liberation.

Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 67 teaches the vital art of discernment: sacred spiritual wisdom should be shared with the disciplined, devoted, and receptive, while being protected from mockery and cynicism. Lord Krishna sets clear boundaries for the transmission of truth. For modern readers navigating noisy, cynical public spaces, this verse serves as a wise guide: guard your inner peace, practice communication discernment, and invest your deepest insights where they are truly welcomed and revered.