Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 18, Verse 66

[Bhagavad Gita Slokas]

	Chapter 18: Conclusion -- The Perfection of Renunciation
	Verse: 66 sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma sucah

Translation:
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

Explanation:
In the previous verse Krishna had described pure or ananya bhkati as the highest goal for all living entities. Arjuna may well wonder that how can those who are filled with the reactions of past karmic acitivites, who still have not been cleansed of their sinful desires ever aspire to reach this stage. Krishna Himself in the seventh chapter (7.28) had stated that only those whose sinful reactions have been burnt away can engage in His bhakti. Also, in the course of the Bhagavad-gita Krishna has instructed about karma, jnana and astanga. Arjuna may wonder what about all those religious practices? If Krishna has given them, they should be followed, yet in the previous verse Krishna did not speak about any of them.

In response to these implicit questions, Krishna speaks this famous verse that carries the highest essence of His teaching. Following are the main points of the verse:

Krishna first recommends that Arjuna give up all varities of religions in their very essence. All dhrams like karma, jnana, astanga and that of the varna and ashrama can be given up completely. For a sanistha-bhakta (sakama or mixed devotee) performance of dharma is required for the purification of the heart. However when he reaces the stage of atma-jnana he is free to give up these religious practices. For the paranishta-bhakta (nishkama or advanced devotee), performance of dharma is required to set an example to others. However when he advances to the stage of spontaneous love for Krishna he can abandon his duty of setting an example for others. But for a nirapeksha-bhakta (ananya or pure devotee) all these dharmas are never needed, since he is always fully surrendered to the Lord, irrespective of his level of advancement in terms of purity.

Second point is surrender unto Krishna and Krisha only. Not the devas or great personalities like Lord Shiva, but only to Krishna as One who is worthy of all respect. When this happens Krishna will free the surrendered devotee of all sins from all previous and present karmas. This surrender, as explained in the scriptures has six elements: accepting what is favorable, rejecting what is unfavorable, having faith that the Lord will protect, accepting dependence on the Lord, completely employing one's gross and subtle body in the service of Krishna and being natrually meek and humble. Of these six, the primary form of surrender is accepting dependence on Krishna, all other five are its assistants.

One should not lament, thinking that in this short life span it is difficult to control the senses and perform austerities. Previously, by statement like, in statements like 'Whatever you do, whatever you eat, do it as an offering to me.' (BG 9.27), Krishna told Arjuna that since he was not qualified for ananya bhakti, the highest type of bhakti, he should perform karma misra bhakti, But now, He is guiding Arjuna towards pure devotion. How is that possible? Krishna explains that it is only possible by His great mercy or the mercy of His devotee, that one can have qualification for ananya bhakti.

Arjuna may wonder that in verse like na hi kascit (3.5) Krishna had declared that it is impossible for the emodied soul to remain inactive for even a moment. However this rule does not apply to one who is surrendered to Krishna. He may have given up all varities of religious practices, but he has substituted them with even more varities of deovtional practices to Krishna. Thus he is always, fully occupied.

Though that is a rule Krishna Himself has made, He is now giving the mercy HImself, breaking His own vow, as He did in the fight with Bhisma, out of intense love for His devotees. With surrender, all purificatory activities, like executing karma-kanda, nishkama-karma, jnana, astanga are not needed. It is Krishna who will still free one from all sins. Therefor Krishna tells Arjuna not to lament about these things.

Arjuna may also wonder that if by surrendering, Krishna makes him perform sinful activities, like the killing of guru and relatives. What of the reactions to these activities. For this Krishna gives the assurance that "I will free you from all sinful reactions, from whichever reactions exist from the far past and recent past, and whichever ones arise from acts I will make you perform in the future. This is not impossible for me to do, though it cannot be done by anyone else you surrender to. Taking you as the means, I am giving instructions to the whole world. Do not feel grief for your own welfare or that of others. May you and all other people, giving up all dharmas, your own and everyone else's, absorbing your thoughts and actions in me, surrendering to me, remain in contentment. I myself have accepted the burden of freeing you from sin and freeing you from samsara."

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

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Sent-by: ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple of Washington DC
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