Bhagavad Gita 18.70 — Adhyeshyate Cha Ya Imam — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १८.७० — अध्येष्यते च य इमम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अध्येष्यते
adhyeṣhyate
shall study; will recite
च
cha
and
यः
yaḥ
who
इमम्
imam
this
धर्म्यम्
dharmyam
sacred; righteous
संवादम्
saṁvādam
dialogue; conversation
आवयोः
āvayoḥ
of the two of us (Krishna and Arjuna)
ज्ञानयज्ञेन
jñāna-yajñena
by the sacrifice of knowledge
तेन
tena
by him
अहम्
aham
I
इष्टः स्याम्
iṣhṭaḥ syām
shall be worshipped
इति मे मतिः
iti me matiḥ
this is My conviction
Complete Translation
And whoever studies this sacred dialogue of ours, by him I shall have been worshipped through the sacrifice of knowledge — this is My conviction.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 70
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the closing portion of the eighteenth chapter, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, after giving His supreme teaching, Krishna glorifies the Gita itself. In this verse, part of the Gita's own mahatmya, He declares that one who studies the sacred dialogue worships Him through the sacrifice of knowledge, revealing the great spiritual merit of studying the scripture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.70 promise?▼
Krishna declares that whoever studies the sacred dialogue between Him and Arjuna worships Him through the 'sacrifice of knowledge'. It promises that reverent study of the Gita is itself a sacred act of devotion that pleases the Lord.
What is 'jnana-yajna' or the sacrifice of knowledge?▼
'Jnana-yajna' means the sacrifice or worship offered through knowledge. By studying and contemplating the Gita's wisdom, the seeker performs an inner sacrifice of knowledge, which Krishna here counts as worship of Himself.
Why is this verse part of the Gita Mahatmya?▼
These closing verses describe the glory and merit of the Gita itself. By promising that its study is equivalent to worshipping the Lord, this verse forms part of the Gita's self-glorification (mahatmya), encouraging devotees to study it faithfully.
How should a devotee apply this verse?▼
It encourages making the study of the Gita a regular, devotional practice. Approaching the scripture not as mere reading but as worship — the sacrifice of knowledge — the devotee turns daily study into a sacred offering pleasing to Krishna.
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