Verse 1
śhrī bhagavān uvācha
idaṁ tu te guhyatamaṁ pravakṣhyāmyanasūyave
jñānaṁ vijñāna-sahitaṁ yaj jñātvā mokṣhyase ’śhubhāt
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
the Supreme Lord said
idam tu te guhya-tamam pravakṣhyāmi anasūyave
this but to you the most confidential I shall impart nonenvious
jñānam vijñāna sahitam yat jñātvā mokṣhyase aśhubhāt
knowledge realized knowledge with which knowing you will be released miseries of material existence
---
The Lord said, "I shall declare to you, who does not cavil, this most mysterious knowledge, together with its special knowledge, knowing which you will be freed from evil."
Verse 2
rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣhāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam
rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyam pavitram idam uttamam
the king of sciences the most profound secret pure this highest
pratyakṣha avagamam dharmyam su-sukham kartum avyayam
directly perceptible directly realizable virtuous easy to practice everlasting
---
This is the royal science, the royal mystery, the supreme purifier. It is realized through direct experience, is in accord with Dharma, is pleasant to practice, and is abiding.
Verse 3
aśhraddadhānāḥ puruṣhā dharmasyāsya parantapa
aprāpya māṁ nivartante mṛityu-samsāra-vartmani
aśhraddadhānāḥ puruṣhāḥ dharmasya asya parantapa
people without faith (such) persons of dharma this Arjun, conqueror the enemies
aprāpya mām nivartante mṛityu samsāra vartmani
without attaining me come back death material existence in the path
---
Men devoid of faith in this Dharma, O scorcher of foes, ever remain without attaining Me, on the mortal path of Samsara.
Verse 4
mayā tatam idaṁ sarvaṁ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā
mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni na chāhaṁ teṣhvavasthitaḥ
mayā tatam idam sarvam jagat avyakta-mūrtinā
by me pervaded this entire cosmic manifestation the unmanifested form
mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni na cha aham teṣhu avasthitaḥ
in me all living beings not and I in them dwell
---
This entire universe is pervaded by Me, in an unmanifest form. All beings abide in Me, but I do not abide in them.
Verse 5
na cha mat-sthāni bhūtāni paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram
bhūta-bhṛin na cha bhūta-stho mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ
na cha mat-sthāni bhūtāni paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram
never and abide in me all living beings behold my divine energy
bhūta-bhṛit na cha bhūta-sthaḥ mama ātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ
the sustainer of all living beings never yet dwelling in my self the creator of all beings
---
Yet, beings do not remain in Me. Behold My divine Yoga. I am the sustainer of all beings, yet I am not in them. It is My will alone that causes their existence.
Verse 6
yathākāśha-sthito nityaṁ vāyuḥ sarvatra-go mahān
tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni mat-sthānītyupadhāraya
yathā ākāśha-sthitaḥ nityam vāyuḥ sarvatra-gaḥ mahān
as rests in the sky always the wind blowing everywhere mighty
tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni mat-sthāni iti upadhāraya
likewise all living beings rest in me thus know
---
As the powerful element air, moving everywhere, ever remains in the ether, know that so too all beings abide in Me.
Verse 7
sarva-bhūtāni kaunteya prakṛitiṁ yānti māmikām
kalpa-kṣhaye punas tāni kalpādau visṛijāmyaham
sarva-bhūtāni kaunteya prakṛitim yānti māmikām
all living beings Arjun, the son of Kunti primordial material energy merge my
kalpa-kṣhaye punaḥ tāni kalpa-ādau visṛijāmi aham
at the end of a kalpa again them at the beginning of a kalpa manifest I
---
All beings, O Arjuna, enter into My Prakriti at the end of a cycle of time; again, I send them forth at the beginning of a cycle of time.
Verse 8
prakṛitiṁ svām avaṣhṭabhya visṛijāmi punaḥ punaḥ
bhūta-grāmam imaṁ kṛitsnam avaśhaṁ prakṛiter vaśhāt
prakṛitim svām avaṣhṭabhya visṛijāmi punaḥ punaḥ
the material energy my own presiding over generate again and again
bhūta-grāmam imam kṛitsnam avaśham prakṛiteḥ vaśhāt
myriad forms these all beyond their control nature force
---
Controlling the Prakṛti, which is My own, I send forth again and again this multitude of beings, helpless under the sway of Prakṛti.
Verse 9
na cha māṁ tāni karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya
udāsīna-vad āsīnam asaktaṁ teṣhu karmasu
na cha mām tāni karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya
none as me those actions bind Arjun, conqueror of wealth
udāsīna-vat āsīnam asaktam teṣhu karmasu
as neutral situated detached those actions
---
But these actions do not bind Me, O Arjuna, for I remain detached from them, as if I were unconcerned.
Verse 10
mayādhyakṣheṇa prakṛitiḥ sūyate sa-charācharam
hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate
mayā adhyakṣheṇa prakṛitiḥ sūyate sa chara-acharam
by me direction material energy brings into being both the animate and the inanimate
hetunā anena kaunteya jagat viparivartate
reason this Arjun, the son of Kunti the material world undergoes the changes
---
Under My supervision, Prakrti gives birth to all mobile and immobile entities, and thus, O Arjuna, the world revolves.
Verse 11
avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣhīṁ tanum āśhritam
paraṁ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśhvaram
avajānanti mām mūḍhāḥ mānuṣhīm tanum āśhritam
disregard me dim-witted human form take on
param bhāvam ajānantaḥ mama bhūta mahā-īśhvaram
divine personality not knowing my all beings the Supreme Lord
---
Fools disregard Me, dwelling in a human form, not knowing My higher nature as the Supreme Lord of all beings.
Verse 12
moghāśhā mogha-karmāṇo mogha-jñānā vichetasaḥ
rākṣhasīm āsurīṁ chaiva prakṛitiṁ mohinīṁ śhritāḥ
mogha-āśhāḥ mogha-karmāṇaḥ mogha-jñānāḥ vichetasaḥ
of vain hopes of vain actions of baffled knowledge deluded
rākṣhasīm āsurīm cha eva prakṛitim mohinīm śhritāḥ
demoniac atheistic and certainly material energy bewildered take shelter
---
Senseless people have a nature that is deluding and similar to that of rakshasas and asuras. Their hopes are futile, their actions are futile, and their knowledge is futile.
Verse 13
mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛitim āśhritāḥ
bhajantyananya-manaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam
mahā-ātmānaḥ tu mām pārtha daivīm prakṛitim āśhritāḥ
the great souls but me Arjun, the son of Pritha divine energy take shelter of
bhajanti ananya-manasaḥ jñātvā bhūta ādim avyayam
engage in devotion with mind fixed exclusively knowing all creation the origin imperishable
---
But the great-souled ones, O Arjuna, who are associated with My divine nature, worship Me with an unwavering mind, knowing Me to be the immutable source of all beings.
Verse 14
satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaśh cha dṛiḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaśh cha māṁ bhaktyā nitya-yuktā upāsate
satatam kīrtayantaḥ mām yatantaḥ cha dṛiḍha-vratāḥ
always singing divine glories me striving and with great determination
namasyantaḥ cha mām bhaktyā nitya-yuktāḥ upāsate
humbly bowing down and me loving devotion constantly united worship
---
Aspiring for eternal communion with Me, they worship Me, always singing My praises, striving with steadfast resolution and bowing down to Me in devotion.
Verse 15
jñāna-yajñena chāpyanye yajanto mām upāsate
ekatvena pṛithaktvena bahudhā viśhvato-mukham
jñāna-yajñena cha api anye yajantaḥ mām upāsate
yajña of cultivating knowledge and also others worship me worship
ekatvena pṛithaktvena bahudhā viśhwataḥ-mukham
undifferentiated oneness separately various the cosmic form
---
Others, besides offering the sacrifice of knowledge, also worship Me as One, who is characterized by diversity in countless ways and is multiform (in My Cosmic aspect).
Verse 16
ahaṁ kratur ahaṁ yajñaḥ svadhāham aham auṣhadham
mantro ’ham aham evājyam aham agnir ahaṁ hutam
aham kratuḥ aham yajñaḥ svadhā aham aham auṣhadham
I Vedic ritual I sacrifice oblation I I medicinal herb
mantraḥ aham aham eva ājyam aham agniḥ aham hutam
Vedic mantra I I also clarified butter I fire I the act offering
---
I am Kratu, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering to the manes, I am the herb, I am the Mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, I am the oblation.
Verse 17
pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ
vedyaṁ pavitram oṁkāra ṛik sāma yajur eva cha
pitā aham asya jagataḥ mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ
Father I of this universe Mother Sustainer Grandsire
vedyam pavitram om-kāra ṛik sāma yajuḥ eva cha
the goal of knowledge the purifier the sacred syllable Om the Rig Veda the Sama Veda the Yajur Veda also and
---
I am the father, mother, creator, and grandfather of the universe; I am the purifier. I am the syllable Om, as well as Rk, Saman, and Yajus.
Verse 18
gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣhī nivāsaḥ śharaṇaṁ suhṛit
prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam
gatiḥ bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣhī nivāsaḥ śharaṇam su-hṛit
the supreme goal sustainer master witness abode shelter friend
prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānam nidhānam bījam avyayam
the origin dissolution store house resting place seed imperishable
---
I am the goal, the supporter, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, and the friend. I am the origin, the dissolution, the basis for preservation, and the imperishable seed.
Verse 19
tapāmyaham ahaṁ varṣhaṁ nigṛihṇāmyutsṛijāmi cha
amṛitaṁ chaiva mṛityuśh cha sad asach chāham arjuna
tapāmi aham aham varṣham nigṛihṇāmi utsṛijāmi cha
radiate heat I I rain withhold send forth and
amṛitam cha eva mṛityuḥ cha sat asat cha aham arjuna
immortality and also death and eternal spirit temporary matter and I Arjun
---
I give heat, I withhold and send forth the rain; I am immortality and also death, O Arjuna. I am the being and the non-being.
Verse 20
trai-vidyā māṁ soma-pāḥ pūta-pāpā
yajñair iṣhṭvā svar-gatiṁ prārthayante
te puṇyam āsādya surendra-lokam
aśhnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān
trai-vidyāḥ mām soma-pāḥ pūta pāpāḥ
the science of karm kāṇḍ (Vedic Rituals) me drinkers of the Soma juice purified sins
yajñaiḥ iṣhṭvā svaḥ-gatim prārthayante
through sacrifices worship way to the abode of the king of heaven seek
te puṇyam āsādya sura-indra lokam
they pious attain of Indra abode
aśhnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān
enjoy celestial in heaven the pleasures of the celestial gods
---
Those who are versed in the three Vedas, having been purified from sin by drinking the Soma juice, pray for passage to heaven and worship Me through sacrifices. Reaching the holy realm of the chief of the gods, they enjoy celestial pleasures in heaven.
Verse 21
te taṁ bhuktvā swarga-lokaṁ viśhālaṁ
kṣhīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśhanti
evaṁ trayī-dharmam anuprapannā
gatāgataṁ kāma-kāmā labhante
te tam bhuktvā swarga-lokam viśhālam
they that having enjoyed heaven vast
kṣhīṇe puṇye martya-lokam viśhanti
at the exhaustion of stock of merits to the earthly plane return
evam trayī dharmam anuprapannāḥ
thus the karm-kāṇḍ portion of the three Vedas follow
gata-āgatam kāma-kāmāḥ labhante
repeated coming and going desiring objects of enjoyments attain
---
Having enjoyed the spacious world of heaven, they return to the world of mortals, their merit having been exhausted. Thus, those who follow the Vedic rituals and are drawn by desires come and go.
Verse 22
ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham
ananyāḥ chintayantaḥ mām ye janāḥ paryupāsate
always think of me those who persons worship exclusively
teṣhām nitya abhiyuktānām yoga kṣhemam vahāmi aham
of them who are always absorbed supply spiritual assets protect spiritual assets carry I
---
Those who, excluding all else, think of Me and worship Me, aspiring after eternal union with Me, I look after their prosperity and welfare (Yoga and Ksema).
Verse 23
ye ’pyanya-devatā-bhaktā yajante śhraddhayānvitāḥ
te ’pi mām eva kaunteya yajantyavidhi-pūrvakam
ye api anya devatā bhaktāḥ yajante śhraddhayā anvitāḥ
those who although other celestial gods devotees worship faithfully
te api mām eva kaunteya yajanti avidhi-pūrvakam
they also me only Arjun, the son of Kunti worship by the wrong method
---
Even those who are devoted to other divinities with faith in their hearts, worship Me alone, O Arjuna, though not in accordance with the Sastras.
Verse 24
ahaṁ hi sarva-yajñānāṁ bhoktā cha prabhureva cha
na tu mām abhijānanti tattvenātaśh chyavanti te
aham hi sarva yajñānām bhoktā cha prabhuḥ eva cha
I verily of all sacrifices the enjoyer and the Lord only and
na tu mām abhijānanti tattvena ataḥ chyavanti te
not but me realize divine nature therefore fall down (wander in samsara) they
---
For, I am the only enjoyer and the only Lord of all sacrifices. They do not recognize Me in My true nature; hence, they fall.
Verse 25
yānti deva-vratā devān pitṝīn yānti pitṛi-vratāḥ
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām
yānti deva-vratāḥ devān pitṝīn yānti pitṛi-vratā
go worshipers of celestial gods amongst the celestial gods to the ancestors go worshippers of ancestors
bhūtāni yānti bhūta-ijyāḥ yānti mat yājinaḥ api mām
to the ghosts go worshippers of ghosts go my devotees and to me
---
Devotees of gods go to the gods; manes-worshippers go to the manes; worshippers of Bhutas go to the Bhutas; and those who worship Me come to Me.
Verse 26
patraṁ puṣhpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayachchhati
tadahaṁ bhaktyupahṛitam aśhnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
patram puṣhpam phalam toyam yaḥ me bhaktyā prayachchhati
a leaf a flower a fruit water who to me with devotion offers
tat aham bhakti-upahṛitam aśhnāmi prayata-ātmanaḥ
that I offered with devotion partake one in pure consciousness
---
Whoever offers Me with true devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or some water, I accept this offering made with devotion by them who are pure of heart.
Verse 27
yat karoṣhi yad aśhnāsi yaj juhoṣhi dadāsi yat
yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣhva mad-arpaṇam
yat karoṣhi yat aśhnāsi yat juhoṣhi dadāsi yat
whatever you do whatever you eat whatever offer to the sacred fire bestow as a gift whatever
yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣhva mad arpaṇam
whatever austerities you perform Arjun, the son of Kunti them do as an offering to me
---
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer, whatever you give away, whatever austerity you practice, O Arjuna, do that as an offering to Me.
Verse 28
śhubhāśhubha-phalair evaṁ mokṣhyase karma-bandhanaiḥ
sannyāsa-yoga-yuktātmā vimukto mām upaiṣhyasi
śhubha aśhubha phalaiḥ evam mokṣhyase karma bandhanaiḥ
from good and bad results thus you shall be freed work from the bondage
sanyāsa-yoga yukta-ātmā vimuktaḥ mām upaiṣhyasi
renunciation of selfishness having the mind attached to me liberated to me you shall reach
---
Thus equipped in mind with the Yoga of renunciation, you will free yourself from the bonds of Karma, productive of both auspicious and inauspicious fruits. Thus liberated, you will come to Me.
Verse 29
samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣhu na me dveṣhyo ’sti na priyaḥ
ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā mayi te teṣhu chāpyaham
samaḥ aham sarva-bhūteṣhu na me dveṣhyaḥ asti na priyaḥ
equally disposed I to all living beings no one to me inimical is not dear
ye bhajanti tu mām bhaktyā mayi te teṣhu cha api aham
who worship with love but me with devotion reside in me such persons in them and also I
---
I am the same to all creation; there is none hateful or dear to me. But those who worship me with devotion abide in me, and I in them.
Verse 30
api chet su-durāchāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ samyag vyavasito hi saḥ
api chet su-durāchāraḥ bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
even if the vilest sinners worship me exclusive devotion
sādhuḥ eva saḥ mantavyaḥ samyak vyavasitaḥ hi saḥ
righteous certainly that person is to be considered properly resolve certainly that person
---
If even the most sinful man worships Me with undivided devotion, he should be regarded as holy, for he has rightly resolved.
Verse 31
kṣhipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śhaśhvach-chhāntiṁ nigachchhati
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati
kṣhipram bhavati dharma-ātmā śhaśhvat-śhāntim nigachchhati
quickly become virtuous lasting peace attain
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati
Arjun, the son of Kunti declare never my devotee perishes
---
Quickly, he becomes righteous and obtains everlasting peace. Affirm on My behalf, O Arjuna, that My devotee never perishes.
Verse 32
māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśhritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
striyo vaiśhyās tathā śhūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim
mām hi pārtha vyapāśhritya ye api syuḥ pāpa yonayaḥ
in me certainly Arjun, the son of Pritha take refuge who even may be of low birth
striyaḥ vaiśhyāḥ tathā śhūdrāḥ te api yānti parām gatim
women mercantile people and manual workers even they go the supreme destination
---
By taking refuge in Me, even those of evil birth, women, Vaisyas, and Sudras, attain the supreme state.
Verse 33
kiṁ punar brāhmaṇāḥ puṇyā bhaktā rājarṣhayas tathā
anityam asukhaṁ lokam imaṁ prāpya bhajasva mām
kim punaḥ brāhmaṇāḥ puṇyāḥ bhaktāḥ rāja-ṛiṣhayaḥ tathā
what then sages meritorius devotees saintly kings and
anityam asukham lokam imam prāpya bhajasva mām
transient joyless world this having achieved engage in devotion unto me
---
How much more then, for the pure Brahmanas and royal sages who are My devotees! Having obtained this transient and joyless world, they should worship Me.
Verse 34
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣhyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ
mat-manāḥ bhava mat bhaktaḥ mat yājī mām namaskuru
always think of me be my devotee my worshipper to me offer obeisances
mām eva eṣhyasi yuktvā evam ātmānam mat-parāyaṇaḥ
to me certainly you will come united with me thus your mind and body having dedicated to me
---
Focus your mind on Me, be My devotee, worship Me. Bow down to Me. Engaging your mind in this manner and regarding Me as the supreme goal, you will come to Me.