A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Deep truth must be shared only with those ready to receive it.”
Never speak this to one without discipline, one without devotion, one unwilling to listen, or one who finds fault with me.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallythis · to you · not · to one without discipline · not · to one without devotion · ever · not · and · to one unwilling to listen · to be spoken · not · and · me · who · finds fault with
Keep this deepest teaching away from people who are unreceptive, undisciplined, or hostile to Krishna.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Verse 67 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
You finally say something honest and life-changing, but the room is wrong for it. Some people want a debate, not transformation; some ears are simply not open yet.
Did you like this verse?
It teaches discernment in sharing wisdom: protect what is sacred from contempt and unreadiness.
What this verse means
Keep this deepest teaching away from people who are unreceptive, undisciplined, or hostile to Krishna.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna has finished his final teaching to Arjuna. After revealing surrender as the way to freedom, he now guards that teaching: it should not be given to the undisciplined, the unreceptive, the unwilling, or the hostile.
Why this verse still matters
You finally say something honest and life-changing, but the room is wrong for it. Some people want a debate, not transformation; some ears are simply not open yet.
“Sacred truth needs the right listener. Not every ear is ready for what can transform it.”