bhagavad-gitagitakrishnamoksha-sannyasa-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 18.67 — Idam Te Natapaskyaya

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १८.६७ — इदं ते नातपस्काय

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 During reflective study of the Gita's concluding teachings·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 67

Also known as: idam te natapaskyaya nabhaktaya · na chashushrushave vachyam · bhagavad gita 18.67 · gita 18 67 · to whom the gita should not be taught · na cha mam yo bhyasuyati

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Having given the supreme teaching of surrender, Krishna explains to whom this sacred knowledge should not be imparted. It is not to be taught to one lacking austerity, devoid of devotion, unwilling to hear, or who is envious of and cavils at the Lord. The verse underscores the sanctity of the highest wisdom, which is to be shared only with a sincere, receptive and reverent heart so that it bears fruit.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 67 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the eighteenth chapter, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, immediately after giving His supreme teaching of surrender, Krishna instructs Arjuna on the proper transmission of this sacred knowledge. He cautions that it must never be imparted to the undisciplined, undevoted, unwilling or scornful — preserving the sanctity of the Gita's highest wisdom.

✦ As told in scripture

The tradition holds that sacred knowledge guarded and shared with reverence bears abundant fruit, while wisdom cast before the scornful is wasted — and so the Lord Himself counsels that the Gita's treasure be entrusted only to the devoted and receptive heart.

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The Mantra

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इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन।न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति॥

idaṁ te nātapaskyāya nābhaktāya kadāchana na chāśhuśhruṣhave vāchyaṁ na cha māṁ yo ‘bhyasūtayi

Meaning:This (knowledge) is never to be spoken by you to one who is without austerity, nor to one without devotion, nor to one unwilling to listen, nor to one who cavils at Me.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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इदम्🔊idamthis (knowledge)

ते🔊teby you

न अतपस्काय🔊na atapaskāyanot to one devoid of austerity

न अभक्ताय🔊na abhaktāyanot to one without devotion

कदाचन🔊kadāchanaever; at any time

न च अशुश्रूषवे🔊na cha aśhuśhrūṣhavenor to one unwilling to listen / who renders no service

वाच्यम्🔊vāchyamto be spoken; should be taught

न च🔊na chaand not

माम्🔊māmof Me; toward Me

यः अभ्यसूयति🔊yaḥ abhyasūyatione who cavils at or envies (Me)

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 18.67 — Idam Te Natapaskyaya

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Teaches reverence for the sanctity of the highest spiritual knowledge

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Reminds that sacred wisdom must reach a worthy, receptive heart

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Encourages cultivating devotion, discipline and humility to receive truth

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Guards the Gita's teaching against misuse by the scornful

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Inspires the seeker to become fit to receive and share sacred knowledge

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Underscores that faith and willingness to listen open the door to wisdom

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 18.67 — Idam Te Natapaskyaya

Repetitions11times

Best TimeDuring reflective study of the Gita's concluding teachings

Recite this verse while reflecting on the sacredness of the Gita's wisdom. As you chant, let it inspire you to cultivate the very qualities it names — austerity, devotion, eagerness to listen and freedom from scorn — so that you become a worthy vessel for the highest knowledge. It also gently reminds the devotee to share sacred teaching with discernment and reverence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Krishna tells Arjuna that this sacred knowledge should never be taught to one who lacks austerity, has no devotion, is unwilling to listen, or who is envious of and speaks ill of the Lord. It is to be shared only with the sincere and reverent.

The highest wisdom bears fruit only in a prepared heart. One without devotion, discipline or willingness to listen, or who scorns the Lord, cannot truly receive it and may misuse or mock it. The verse protects the sanctity and effectiveness of sacred teaching.

By implication, the worthy student is one with some austerity or self-discipline, devotion to the Lord, eagerness to listen, and freedom from envy or scorn. Cultivating these qualities makes one a fit and receptive vessel for the Gita's wisdom.

While this verse says to whom the knowledge should not be taught, the next verse (18.68) praises those who do teach it with devotion to fellow devotees, promising they will attain the Lord. Together they guide the proper, reverent transmission of the Gita.