📿 Shloka Collection

Idam Te Na Atapaskaya

Gita 18.67 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18 — Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन ।
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥
Idam te na atapaskaya na abhaktaya kadachana
Na cha ashushrushave vachyam na cha mam yo abhyasooyati
इदम्
this, the knowledge of the Gita
न अतपस्काय
not to one without tapas (discipline)
न अभक्ताय
not to one without devotion
कदाचन
never, at no time
न अशुश्रूषवे
not to one who has no wish to listen
न च माम् अभ्यसूयति
not to one who speaks ill of Me, who resents Me

After delivering the most sacred promise of the Gita, Krishna immediately places a boundary around it. This teaching is not for everyone — or more precisely, it should not be given to those who are not ready to receive it.

Four types are named: the person with no discipline, the person with no devotion, the person who has no desire to listen, and the person who bears resentment toward Krishna. These are not permanent labels on anyone. They describe states of readiness. A seed placed on stone will not sprout — not because the seed is flawed, but because the ground is not ready.

This restriction comes from care, not exclusion. Sharing sacred knowledge with someone who will misunderstand, dismiss, or mock it harms both the teaching and the listener. Krishna is protecting the integrity of the message and the well-being of the person.

In the ancient guru-shishya tradition, knowledge was given only to a 'patra' — a worthy vessel, someone capable of receiving and holding the teaching. This shloka reflects that principle.

This is not a verse about restricting the Gita's reach. It is about safeguarding its depth. The very next shloka (18.68) praises the one who does share this teaching — but with devotees who are ready.

Chapter 18 · 67 / 78
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