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This confidential knowledge (idaṁ) is not (na) to be spoken (vācyaṁ) by us (te) ever (kadācana) to one who is not austere (nātapaskāya), not a devotee (nābhaktāya), and not interested in hearing (cāśuśrūṣave), and also (ca) not (na) to one who (yo) envies (abhyasūyati) Krishna (māṁ). (BG 18.67)

On the other hand, one should be enthusiastic about sharing this sacred knowledge among the devotees. One who (ya) explains (abhidhāsyati) this (idaṁ) supreme (paramaṁ) secret (guhyaṁ) to Krishna’s devotees (mad-bhakteṣv), performing (kṛtvā) the highest (parāṁ) devotional service (bhaktiṁ) unto Krishna (mayi), undoubtedly (asaṁśayaḥ) comes to (eṣyaty) Krishna alone (mām eva). (BG 18.68) And (ca), except for this person (tasmān), no (na) one (kaścin) among human beings (manuṣyeṣu) is dearest (priya-kṛttamaḥ) to Krishna (me), and nor (na ca) in the future, there will be (bhavitā) any other (anyaḥ) person in this planet (bhuvi) more dear (priya-taro) to Krishna (ca me) than that (tasmād). (BG 18.69) Thus, such a person becomes eternally dearest to Krishna.

And (ca), one who (ya) studies (adhyeṣyate) this (imaṁ) sacred conversation (dharmyaṁ saṁvādam) between Krishna and Arjuna (āvayoḥ) worships (iṣṭaḥ syām) Krishna (tenāham) by the sacrifice of knowledge (jñāna-yajñena). This is Krishna’s opinion (iti me matiḥ). (BG 18.70) Also (api), one who (yo naraḥ) listens (śṛṇuyād) with faith (śraddhāvān) and without envy (anasūyaś ca) becomes free (so ’pi muktaḥ) and attains to (prāpnuyāt) the auspicious planets (śubhāḻ lokān) meant for those endowed with pious actions (puṇya-karmaṇām). (BG 18.71)

Why is it important to know Krishna? One who knows (vetti) Krishna (mām) as (i) unborn (ajam), (ii) beginningless (anādiṁ), and (iii) the Supreme Lord of all the worlds (loka-maheśvaram) is undeluded (asammūḍhaḥ) among the mortals (martyeṣu), and is freed (pramucyate) from all sins (sarva-pāpaiḥ). (BG 10.3) Since knowing Krishna to be simultaneously unborn, beginningless and the Lord of everything is beyond the range of our experience, this constitutes confidential knowledge.

In summary, it is impossible to understand one’s source without being favored by the source. When one hears in the disciplic succession, one receives the favor of the Lord and therefore can know Krishna by revelation.

1. What is Brahman (brahma)?
2. What is Higher Self (adhyātmaṁ)?
3. What is action (karma)?
4. What is the higher principle of nature or the material manifestation (adhibhūtaṁ)?
5. What is the governing principle of all gods or the divine (adhidaivaṁ)?
6. Who is the governing principle of sacrifice (adhiyajñaḥ) here in this body (atra dehe ’smin)?
7. How can a self-controlled soul (niyatātmabhiḥ) know Krishna (jñeyo ’si) at the time of death (prayāṇa-kāle)?

Krishna precisely and succinctly answers these questions in the chronological order as follows (BG 8.3–5):

1. Brahman (brahma) is the supreme (paramaṁ) indestructible (akṣaraṁ).
2. The nature of Brahman (svabhāvo) is said to be Higher Self (adhyātmaṁ). Clearly, this means Brahman is ultimately a Supreme Eternal Person.
3. Any creation (visargaḥ) pertaining to the generation of the state of material manifestation or development of material bodies (bhūta-bhāvodbhava-karo) is defined as action (karma).
4. An ever-changing state (kṣaro bhāvaḥ) is the higher principle of material manifestations (adhibhūtaṁ).
5. The governing principle of all gods or divinity (adhidaivaṁ) is the Person (puruṣaḥ).
6. For all embodied souls (deha-bhṛtāṁ), Krishna alone (aham eva), here in this body (atra dehe), is the governing principle of sacrifice (adhiyajñaḥ).
7. And, at the end of life (anta-kāle), one who quits one’s body (muktvā kalevaram) remembering (smaran) Krishna alone (mām eva) undoubtedly (yāti nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ) attains Krishna’s nature (mad-bhāvaṁ). (BG 8.5) Recall that Krishna delivered exactly the same message of surrendering to Him alone (mām eva) for escaping illusion. (BG 7.14) The general principle is that whatever state of being one remembers at the time of death, one attains to that state in the next life. (BG 8.6)

In summary, the governing principle of divinity is a Person (puruṣaḥ). The supreme indestructible factor in existence is Brahman and its nature is personality (adhyātmaṁ). Therefore, Brahman is ultimately the Supreme Eternal Person. That Supreme Person, who is non-different from Krishna, dwells within everyone’s body as the governing principle of sacrifice (adhiyajñaḥ). And therefore, we are meant to lead a life in the spirit of sacrifice for Krishna. If we, somehow or other, remember Krishna exclusively (mām eva) at the time of quitting this body, we will attain to Krishna’s nature, i.e., eternal life full of knowledge and bliss. In other words, by remembering Krishna at the time of death, one becomes liberated from the cycle of actions that continually generates material bodies entrapping us in this world.

As simple as it may sound, this simple process of hearing involves two implicit factors for success: (i) We have to hear from the right source (i.e., from Krishna directly in the form of the Bhagavad Gita, or from those who have heard the message in the disciplic succession originating from Krishna) – this principle was already discussed before at the beginning of chapter 4. (ii) We need internal humility to hear from a bona fide representative of Krishna because hearing involves putting the communicator on a higher platform, and being favorably disposed to change our old ways based on the received message.

Tips for a high-quality hearing

[Source: Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad]

The instructions are received by the ear and then digested by progressively going through the following stages:

1. śravaṇaṁ (hearing from the right source): We receive instructions from a bona fide source, a member of an authorized disciplic succession.
2. mananaṁ (reflection on the message to understand): We reflect on the instructions attempting to understand them fully.
3. nididhyāsanaṁ (contemplation to apply): The understanding is further accompanied by contemplation to apply the instructions in specific circumstances of life.
4. vandanaṁ (prayerful mood to receive realization): While we apply the instructions, we maintain a prayerful mood to receive realizations within our hearts. Realizations are gifts from Krishna that consummate the hearing process.