Bhagavad Gita 15.20

Purushottama Yoga · English Translation

Thus, this most secret science has been taught by Me, O sinless one; on knowing this, a man becomes wise, and all his duties are accomplished, O Arjuna.

Sanskrit

इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयानघ | एतद्बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत ||१५-२०||

Transliteration

iti guhyatamaṃ śāstramidamuktaṃ mayānagha . etadbuddhvā buddhimānsyātkṛtakṛtyaśca bhārata ||15-20||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this final verse of Chapter 15, Lord Krishna concludes his discourse on the Supreme Person (Purushottama) by addressing Arjuna as 'sinless one' and 'Bharata'. He declares that the teachings given in these chapters are a deeply secret science intended to reveal the ultimate truth about existence. The core message is that anyone who truly understands this wisdom immediately gains true intelligence and fulfills all their spiritual duties, leaving no lingering doubts or unfinished business.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse synthesizes Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) with Karma Yoga by demonstrating that true action is only possible when rooted in spiritual insight. It develops the concept that 'knowing' the Supreme Person transforms one's nature, turning every duty into a spontaneous expression of wisdom rather than a burden.

Word by Word

इति thus, गुह्यतमम् most secret, शास्त्रम् science (teaching), इदम् this, उक्तम् has been taught, मया by Me, अनघ O sinless one, एतत् बुद्ध्वा knowing this, बुद्धिमान् wise, स्यात् will become, कृतकृत्यः (who has) accomplished all the duties, च and, भारत O Bharata

Classical Commentary

Guhyatamam Most profound secret. Buddhiman means here a knower of the Self or Atmart. The knowledge of the Self which gives emancipation from the round of birth and death, and freedom from the bonds of Karma is eulogised in this verse. If this most profound teaching is rightly understood, known or realised, it makes a man wise and gives him illumination. After this there is nothing left for him to know or strive for. He has reached the goal of life or the aim of human existence. He has arrived at the end of his journey. His endeavour for Selfrealisation is over. He has attained perfection. He has complete knowledge of the Supreme Being. He gets Brahma Jnana. He moves in the consciousness of the Divine. He beholds the Self everywhere. He lives in Brahman. He regards all activities as His divine play. When one realises Brahman, he has discharged all the duties of life. He is liberated from the bonds of Karma. He becomes a Jivanmukta or illumined sage who has transcended the bodyconsciousness, the three alities of Nature, the three states of consciousness (wakeful state, dream and deep sleep), the pairs of opposites and the cycle of birth and death. He knows fully well that rirth has been destroyed, that what has to be done has been accomplished, that lifes highest goal has been reached and that he has nothing more to do or to learn. He has understood the profound mystery of life -- the riddle of this universe. He is a Sarvavit or allknower. The whole of the Gita is called science, yet the fifteenth discourse alone is here declared as the science for the sake of eulogising it. The fifteenth discourse contains the intessence of the Gita, the Upanishads and the Vedas. This is the butter churned from the milk of the Vedas. It has been said that? He who knows the peepul tree knows the Veda (XV.1). The Lord has also said? It is I Who am to be known by all the Vedas (XV.15). Only when a man knows this science as taught above does he become wise -- but not otherwise. Whatever duty a Brahmana of the highest birth has to do, all that has been doen when one attains the knowledge of the Self. All actions in their entirety culminate in knowledge (IV.33). This is the fulfilment of the birth, particularly of a Brahmana because the twicorn accomplishes all his duties only by attaining to this, but not otherwise, says Manu Smriti. As you have heard from Me this truth about the Supreme Being, you are a happy man and you have done all your duties you have attained Selfrealistion. By using the words Anagha and Bharata? Lord Krishna hints that even when an ordinary man who knows this fifteenth discourse can attain knowledge of the Self and become a Kritakritya, then what to say of Arjuna who was sinless and who was born in a noble family with divine attributes The Lord, by using the word Anagha, also indicates that the Guru who is a knower of Brahman should instruct the most profound secret (the science of the Self) only to alified persons who are free from impurities of the heart or tossing of the mind, who are calm and endowed with the four means of salvation. The man of impure mind will not be able to grasp the truth. The sinful man with his perverted intellect will distort the truth and thus pave the way for the destruction of himself and his followers. Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, ends the fifteenth discourse entitledThe Yoga of the Supreme Spirit. ,,

Where This Happens

This verse serves as the concluding summary of Chapter 15 within the Bhagavad Gita, which takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra just before the great war begins. Krishna has spent this chapter explaining the metaphor of the upside-down banyan tree to describe how souls are entangled in material existence and must be cut free by detachment. Arjuna, who was previously filled with confusion about fighting his own kin, is now being assured that if he internalizes these profound truths, he will emerge as a wise man ready for whatever action lies ahead.

Living It Out Today

Consider a modern professional facing an ethical dilemma at work where they feel torn between financial gain and their personal values. Instead of getting paralyzed by anxiety or trying to find a 'perfect' middle ground through endless overthinking, this verse suggests that the solution comes from aligning one's perspective with higher principles (the secret science). By grounding decisions in this deeper wisdom, the person acts with clarity ('becomes wise') and completes their professional responsibilities without guilt or regret ('all duties accomplished').

Explained for Children

Imagine you have been learning how to build a complex Lego castle for weeks, but there was one special instruction at the end of the manual. Once you read that final secret step carefully, suddenly everything clicks into place: your hands know exactly what to do, and the whole castle stands strong without falling apart. Krishna is telling Arjuna (and us) that when we finally understand how our soul connects to God, it's like finding that perfect missing piece—we become truly smart in life and finish all the important jobs we set out to do.

Daily Reflection

You have likely spent much of your life trying to achieve completeness by doing more or knowing more about yourself. Yet today, the Lord suggests that true completion comes simply from understanding this specific secret science He has revealed to you. When you internalize that wisdom itself transforms your character and fulfills your purpose, the heavy burden of 'having to do it all' begins to lift naturally.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and acknowledge that you are about to receive wisdom that goes beyond ordinary knowledge, a secret meant specifically for your spiritual growth today. As you breathe deeply, let the thought of Krishna's voice addressing you as 'sinless one' dissolve any self-judgment, replacing it with an open heart ready to understand what is truly necessary.

Key Teachings

The Supremacy of Secret Knowledge
This verse identifies the teaching as 'guhyatama,' meaning the most confidential and profound science, reserved for those who are sincere. It implies that spiritual realization is not merely intellectual but a direct transmission from the Divine to the devoted soul.
Wisdom as Liberation
The text asserts that simply knowing this truth transforms a person into one of true wisdom, shifting their identity from confusion to clarity. This knowledge is not abstract theory but a catalyst that instantly changes how one perceives reality and oneself.
Completion Through Insight
All duties are accomplished (kṛtakṛtya) once this wisdom is grasped, meaning the seeker no longer feels incomplete or driven by endless striving. The fulfillment of life's purpose arises not from accumulating external achievements but from aligning with the ultimate truth.

Themes

Spiritual KnowledgeSelf-RealizationDuty and ActionDevotion to the SupremeWisdom over IgnoranceCompleteness of Life

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 4.18 6.5 18.66

Read This Next

2.47 — Read this to understand the practical application of wisdom in action, focusing on performing duties without attachment as a result of true knowledge.
3.30 — Connects directly by showing how one dedicates all actions to Krishna after gaining spiritual insight, completing the cycle of duty mentioned in 15.20.
12.15 — Expands on the nature of a wise person who has realized this secret science and becomes dear to all beings through selfless love.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of 'kṛtakṛtyaśca' (accomplished all duties)?

'Kṛtakṛtya' literally means one who has done what they were meant to do. In this context, it signifies that a person who understands the Supreme Truth no longer feels incomplete or burdened by unfinished karmic obligations; their actions are naturally aligned with dharma.

Why does Krishna call these teachings 'most secret' (guhyatama)?

The term 'guhyatama' implies that this knowledge is not just a physical instruction but an internal realization of the soul's relationship with God. It remains 'secret' because it cannot be fully grasped by logic or external senses alone; it requires purification and direct spiritual insight to unfold.

Who are Arjuna referred to as in this verse?

Krishna addresses him as 'Anagha' (sinless one) because, despite his momentary confusion on the battlefield, Arjuna's heart is pure and he has surrendered to Krishna. He also calls him 'Bharata', highlighting his noble lineage and his destiny to uphold righteousness.

Does this verse imply that no more work needs to be done after gaining knowledge?

No, it does not mean one stops working; rather, it means the person works with such perfect alignment and wisdom that there is no sense of burden or attachment. 'All duties are accomplished' refers to the spiritual completion where actions flow naturally from realization without causing future karmic bondage.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 15.20 →