Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 18, Verse 63

[Bhagavad Gita Slokas]

	Chapter 18: Conclusion -- The Perfection of Renunciation
	Verse: 63 iti te jnanam akhyatam guhyad guhyataram maya vimrisyaitad aseshena yathecchasi tatha kuru

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

Explanation:
With this verse Krishna begins the conclusion the scripture. The Bhagavad-gita which is the means of understanding karma, jnana and bhakti, is more confidential than the secret mantras of the Vedas. Krishna urges Arjuna to reflect on what has been told to him, by which his ignorance will be destroyed and his conviction become steadfast. Here the words yathecchasi tatha kuru-"As you like, you may act"-indicate that God does not interfere with the independence of the living entity called "free will."
Jnana or knowledge consists of karma yoga, astanga yoga and jnana yoga. The word jnana means that by which one knows. Thus jnana refers to a process, in this case scriptures, which produce knowledge of these sadhanas. Krishna states that He has revealed a scripture, jnana, which is more secret than those scriptures, a process that has not been revealed in the scriptures written by authors such as Vasista, Badarayana or Narada.

Arjuna is recommended to consider this thoroughly, as is suitable to his taste and do what he wants to do. Thus, the last six chapters concerning jnana have been completed. These three groups of six chapters, the Gita, 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 jnana, 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 Krishna under control. Bhakti's servants consisting of two verses (65 and 66) of sixty-four syllables placed in the lid of the box (last six chapters) should also be understood to be pure.

Please read the Sanskrit Verse and the Prabhupada's Purport.

---

You can view the previous verses at the following address:http://groups.google.com/group/bgdailyverses


Sent-by: ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple of Washington DC
10310 Oaklyn Dr., Potomac, MD 20854
(301) 990-2100
http://www.iskcondc.org