All these are noble indeed, but the wise devotee is My very self. Established in yoga, that person is steadfast in Me as the unsurpassed goal.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 7.18
Hindi · हिन्दी
पहले कहे हुए सबकेसब भक्त बड़े उदार श्रेष्ठ भाववाले हैं । परन्तु ज्ञानी प्रेमी तो मेरा स्वरूप ही है ऐसा मेरा मत है । कारण कि वह युक्तात्मा है और जिससे श्रेष्ठ दूसरी कोई गति नहीं है, ऐसे मेरेमें ही दृढ़ आस्थावाला है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
उदाराःnobleसर्वेallएवindeedएतेtheseज्ञानीthe wise oneतुbutआत्माselfएवindeedमेof Meमतम्opinionआस्थितःestablishedसःthat oneहिindeedयुक्तात्माone whose inner being is unitedमाम्Meएवonlyअनुत्तमाम्unsurpassedगतिम्goal
Read literallynoble · all · indeed · these · the wise one · but · self · indeed · of Me · opinion · established · that one · indeed · one whose inner being is united · Me · only · unsurpassed · goal
Understanding the verse
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It shifts devotion from asking for help to recognising intimate union with the divine.
All four kinds of devotees are good, but the wise devotee is the closest to Krishna. Such a person is firmly united with him and sees him as the highest goal.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna has just praised four kinds of seekers. Now he raises the highest one: the devotee who truly knows him. In Arjuna’s frozen crisis, Krishna says that real understanding ends in intimate union, not mere admiration.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You have read every argument, sat through every doubt, and still feel pulled toward the same calling. At that point, knowing stops being abstract and becomes a bond that changes who you are.
The takeaway
“There is no shame in devotion. Deep understanding turns love into closeness, not distance.”
All four kinds of devotees are good, but the wise devotee is the closest to Krishna. Such a person is firmly united with him and sees him as the highest goal.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 7.18?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Vijnana Yoga" (Knowledge and Wisdom).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 7.18?
Verse 18 sits in Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Vijnana Yoga, "Knowledge and Wisdom". The chapter has 30 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 7.18 matter today?
You have read every argument, sat through every doubt, and still feel pulled toward the same calling. At that point, knowing stops being abstract and becomes a bond that changes who you are.
It shifts devotion from asking for help to recognising intimate union with the divine.
What this verse means
All four kinds of devotees are good, but the wise devotee is the closest to Krishna. Such a person is firmly united with him and sees him as the highest goal.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna has just praised four kinds of seekers. Now he raises the highest one: the devotee who truly knows him. In Arjuna’s frozen crisis, Krishna says that real understanding ends in intimate union, not mere admiration.
Why this verse still matters
You have read every argument, sat through every doubt, and still feel pulled toward the same calling. At that point, knowing stops being abstract and becomes a bond that changes who you are.
“There is no shame in devotion. Deep understanding turns love into closeness, not distance.”
Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses)