Bg. 18.63 · Bhagavad-gita As It Is

Devanagari

इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्‍‍गुह्यतरं मया । विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥ ६३ ॥

Verse text

iti te jṣānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhya-taraṁ mayā vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru

Synonyms

iti — thus ; te — unto you ; jṣānam — knowledge ; ākhyātam — described ; guhyāt — than confidential ; guhya-taram — still more confidential ; mayā — by Me ; vimṛśya — deliberating ; etat — on this ; aśeṣeṇa — fully ; yathā — as ; icchasi — you like ; tathā — that ; kuru — perform.

Translation

Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

63. Thus I have explained a scripture more secret than the secret knowledge of karma, jṣāna and aṣṭāṅga-yoga. Considering this thoroughly, do as you wish to do.

Translation (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

63. Thus I have explained a scripture more secret than secret knowledge of mantras. Considering this thoroughly, do as you wish to do.

Purport

The Lord has already explained to Arjuna the knowledge of brahma-bhūta. One who is in the brahma-bhūta condition is joyful; he never laments, nor does he desire anything. That is due to confidential knowledge. Kṛṣṇa also discloses knowledge of the Supersoul. This is also Brahman knowledge, knowledge of Brahman, but it is superior. Here the words yathecchasi tathā kuru – “As you like, you may act” – indicate that God does not interfere with the little independence of the living entity. In Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord has explained in all respects how one can elevate his living condition. The best advice imparted to Arjuna is to surrender unto the Supersoul seated within his heart. By right discrimination, one should agree to act according to the order of the Supersoul. That will help one become situated constantly in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the highest perfectional stage of human life. Arjuna is being directly ordered by the Personality of Godhead to fight. Surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is in the best interest of the living entities. It is not for the interest of the Supreme. Before surrendering, one is free to deliberate on this subject as far as the intelligence goes; that is the best way to accept the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such instruction comes also through the spiritual master, the bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa.

Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Here the Lord concludes the whole subject of Gītā. Jṣāna or knowledge consists of karma-yoga, aṣṭāṅga-yoga and jṣāna-yoga. The word jṣāna means “that by which one knows.” Thus jṣāna refers to a process, in this case scriptures, which produce knowledge of these sādhanas. I have revealed a scripture, jṣāna, which is more secret than those scriptures (guhyād guhyataram), a process that has not been revealed in the scriptures written by authors such as Vasiṣṭa, Bādarāyaṇa or Nārada. Another meaning is: In relation to their omniscience, I am infinite. Thus they cannot understand the knowledge because of its most confidential nature. I also did not teach them at all because of its intensely confidential nature. Considering this thoroughly (aśeṣeṇa), as is suitable to your taste, do what you want to do. Thus, the last six chapters concerning jṣāna have been completed. These three groups of six chapters, the Gītā, the crown jewel of all knowledge, are the box containing the most valuable secret treasure of bhakti. The first six chapters, concerning karma, are the lower covering made of gold. The last six chapters, concerning jṣāna, are the lid made of gold and studded with jewels. Within the middle six chapters, resting within the container and the lid, shines the most excellent jewel of bhakti, more valuable than anything in the three worlds—which brings Śrī Kṛṣṇa under control. Bhakti’s servants consisting of two verses (65 and 66) of sixty-four syllables (jewels) embedded on the lid of the box (last six chapters) should also be understood to be pure.

Purport (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

The Lord now concludes the scripture. Thus in the manner just spoken (iti), I have declared to you this knowledge (jṣānam), the scripture of the Gītā, the means of understanding karma, bhakti and jṣāna. Jṣāna means “that which something is known.” It is more secret than the scriptures which teach secret mantras. It should be kept secret. After reflecting on this scripture fully (aśeṣena), do as you wish. The intended meaning is “Reviewing this scripture thoroughly, your ignorance will be destroyed and you will be steadfast in My words.”

Surrender Unto Me

Srila Prabhupada says in his Purport: "The Lord has already explained to Arjuna the knowledge of brahma‑bhuta. One who is in the brahma‑bhuta condition is joyful; he never laments, nor does he desire anything. That is due to confidential knowledge. Krsna also discloses knowledge of the Supersoul. This is also Brahman knowledge, knowledge of Brahman, but it is superior. Here the words yathecchasi tatha kuru‑‑``As you like, you may act''‑‑indicate that God does not interfere with the little independence of the living entity. In Bhagavad‑gita, the Lord has explained in all respects how one can elevate his living condition. The best advice imparted to Arjuna is to surr unto the Supersoul seated within his heart. By right discrimination, one should agree to act according to the order of the Supersoul. That will help one become situated constantly in Krsna consciousness, the highest perfectional stage of human life. Arjuna is being directly ordered by the Personality of Godhead to fight. Surrender to the Supreme Personali Godhead is in the best interest of the living entities. It is not for the interest of the Supreme. Before surrendering, o free to deliberate on this subject as far as the intelligence goes; that is the best way to accept the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such instruction comes also through the spiritual master, the bona fide representative of Krsna." Now Krsna has just explained the most confidential knowledge, which is surrender to the Supersoul. But He will tell a even more confidential knowledge next. [H. THE MOST CONFIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF ALL: BECOME A PURE DEVOTEE OF KRSNA (18. 64‑66) Always think of Krsna, become Krsna's devotee, worship Krsna, offer all homage unto Krsna, and thus come to Krsna. Surrender only to Krsna; do not fear sinful reactions. ]