Verse-72
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 72
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
kaccidetacchrutam pārtha tvayaikāgreṇa cetasā
kaccidajñānasammohah pranaṣṭaste dhanañjaya
🕉 English Translation
Arjun! Jo yeh gyan tujhse kaha,
Suna dhyan se tune isko hai kya?
Agyan se paida moh tera yeh,
Sunkar iseh kya hua nashta hai?
📜 Translation
English
O Parth! Have you heard this scripture of the Gita with a concentrated mind? And O Dhananjay! Has your delusion born of ignorance been destroyed?
This verse of Srimad Bhagvad Gita causes the practical dignity of the scripture to be enhanced or one can say it is its crowning glory. The sermon of the Gita is not just meant for relating nor to keep it confined to mere hearing. It is an inspiration for practising it in life and it is worth bringing into practice. This verse is a forceful expression of this fact. Arjun while listening to the Gita raised several questions with the Lord. The Lord whatever He had to say in the form of the sermon or message has already said it. Before silencing His speech here the Lord Himself enquires of Arjun.
There are several issues inherent in the question raised with Arjun. This question is meant not just for Arjun; in fact, any teacher can put this question to his audience or disciples. In this question, the skilfulness of the teacher and confidence towards whatever has been said by him is also evident. Along with this, it is also clear that the teacher by delivering a sermon is not just fulfilling a formality nor is he doing something for his own sake; there appears to be a commitment for the welfare of the disciple.
The Blessed Lord enquires of Arjun, as to whether he has heard the sermon of the Gita. Some might feel, what kind of a question is this! When Arjun is standing in front and the Lord's words are meant for him, then how is it justified to raise such a question? The speaker of the Gita uses a profound word which deserves deliberation–'tavaikagrena cetasa' Have you heard with a concentrated mind? This is a magnificent thought-provoking feature of the inspirations from the Gita. This kind of mistake is invariably made, that on coming to the religious congregation many do not engage in listening. The reason is that the mind is not concentrated or the body is there but the mind is not; it is wandering and revelling elsewhere. The principle is we are not there where our body is but where our mind is. Hearing is not only an act of ears but only if the mind is also associated can the ears also hear.
There is another question contained in this question! If this sermon has been heard with attention then has the delusion arising out of ignorance been destroyed? The root cause of Arjun's sorrow, grief, depression and indecisiveness with regard to his duty was this very delusion. Observing the cause, the preacher of the Gita gave the sermon in accordance with it. Now before concluding the sermon the Blessed Lord is enquiring–the delusion due to which you were under the cloud of dejection and you decided to desert your duty, your natural obligatory duty; for dispelling that very delusion for which the sermon of the Gita was delivered in detail, Parth! Has your delusion born of ignorance been destroyed?