Bhagavad Gita 18.73

Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · English Translation

Arjuna said Destroyed is my delusion as I have gained my knowledge (memory) through Thy grace, O Krishna. I remain freed from doubts. I will act according to Thy word.

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाच | नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत | स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ||१८-७३||

Transliteration

arjuna uvāca . naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtirlabdhā tvatprasādānmayācyuta . sthito.asmi gatasandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṃ tava ||18-73||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this final verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna speaks to Krishna after listening to his divine instructions on duty and devotion. He declares that all his confusion and delusion have been completely destroyed by Krishna's grace, leaving him with clear memory and wisdom. Freed from doubt, he affirms his resolve to follow Krishna's advice without hesitation. This moment marks the transition from spiritual seeking to active implementation of truth.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse synthesizes Bhakti Yoga (devotion) as the means to achieve Jnana (knowledge), leading directly to Karma Yoga (selfless action). It illustrates that surrendering individual ego and intellect to a higher truth removes 'Sankhya' based confusion, transforming theoretical understanding into practical realization. The concept developed is that divine grace dissolves delusion, allowing one to act with the stability of Samadhi.

Word by Word

नष्टः is destroyed, मोहः delusion, स्मृतिः memory (knowledge), लब्धा has been gained, त्वत्प्रसादात् through Thy grace, मया by me, अच्युत O Krishna, स्थितः अस्मि I remain, गतसन्देहः freed from doubts, करिष्ये (I) will do, वचनम् word, तव Thy

Classical Commentary

Moha Delusion This is the strongest weapon of Maya to take the Jivas in Her clutch. It is born of ignorance. It is the cause of the whole evil of Samsara. It is as hard to cross as the ocean. Smritih I have attained knowledge of the true nature of the Self. The whole aim of Sadhana or spiritual practice and the study of scriptures is the annihilation of delusion and the attainment of the knowledge of the Self. When one gets it, the three knots or ties of ignorance, viz., ignorance, delusion (desire) and action are destroyed, all the doubts are cleared, and all the Karmas are destroyed. To him who beholds the Self in all beings, what delusion is there, what grief (Isavasya Upanishad? 7)I shall do Thy word Arjuna means to say? I am firm in Thy ?nd. Through Thy grace I have achieved the end of life. I have nothing more to do.

Where This Happens

This verse concludes the entire dialogue on the battlefield of Kurukshetra after Lord Krishna has completed His discourse in Chapter 18, covering renunciation and liberation. Arjuna is speaking directly to Krishna (addressed here as Achyuta), having just received the final instructions on surrendering all duties to the Divine. The emotional weight shifts from his earlier hesitation and despair on the chariot to absolute clarity and readiness for war. It signifies the end of his internal struggle, preparing him to fulfill his Kshatriya duty.

Living It Out Today

Consider a professional leader facing an impossible ethical dilemma where everyone is asking them to cut corners to save money. After seeking counsel from mentors or reflecting deeply on their core values (the 'grace' in this context), the fog of fear and greed lifts, revealing a single right path forward. Instead of paralyzed by 'what if I fail?', they feel an inner certainty and immediately commit to making the difficult but honest decision. This verse teaches that true clarity comes not from analyzing every angle endlessly, but from trusting one's higher wisdom once doubt is cleared.

Explained for Children

Imagine you were lost in a big forest at night, totally scared and not knowing which way to go. Suddenly, your wise friend shines a bright flashlight on the path ahead and holds your hand until it feels safe again. Arjuna felt just like that—scared and confused before Krishna spoke—but now his 'mental fog' is gone because of what he heard. He tells Krishna, 'I know exactly where to go now, so I am going to do what you said.'

Daily Reflection

Have you ever felt so stuck in a web of confusion that no amount of thinking could untie it? Today, remember that true clarity often arrives not as a result of your struggle, but as a gift received when you open yourself to grace. When doubt fades and 'naṣṭo mohaḥ' (delusion is destroyed), you find the steady ground needed to simply say yes to what needs doing.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and recall a moment when your confusion suddenly cleared through the guidance of another or an inner shift you couldn't explain; thank that grace for removing your mental fog. Offer to let go of any lingering doubts today by declaring, 'My clarity comes from beyond my own mind,' and rest in the peace of that surrender.

Key Teachings

The Illusory Nature of Doubt
Arjuna identifies his previous hesitation as 'moha' (delusion), a cloud that obscured the truth rather than a legitimate intellectual inquiry. This teaching reminds us that confusion is often an emotional barrier, not a sign of deeper wisdom.
Grace Over Effort
Arjuna attributes his regained memory and understanding to 'tvatprasādāt' (by Your grace), acknowledging that the ultimate resolution lies beyond individual will. This shifts the seeker's posture from striving for answers alone to inviting a higher intelligence into their confusion.
Action Born of Clarity
The verse concludes with 'kariṣye vacanaṃ tava' (I will do Your word), showing that true knowledge immediately translates to right action. When doubts are gone, the mind no longer wavers between options but moves decisively in alignment with duty.

Themes

clarity_of_minddestruction_of_doubtdivine_gracedevotion_to_gurureadiness_for_actionliberation_from_delusion

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 4.18 6.5 18.66

Read This Next

2.47 — Read this next to see the foundational principle of performing duty without attachment, which becomes possible only after Arjuna's delusion is cleared.
3.30 — This verse reinforces the act of surrendering all actions and their fruits to the Divine, a natural continuation of 'I will do Your word' from 18.73.
12.15 — Explore how one who is free from agitation and doubt becomes dear to Krishna, highlighting the emotional state Arjuna has now achieved through his surrender.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Arjuna saying 'I have gained smriti'?

'Smriti' here refers to divine memory or remembrance, meaning Arjuna has recovered his true nature and understanding which was previously obscured by grief. It signifies that he no longer forgets who he truly is as a soul distinct from the body, thanks to Krishna's teachings.

How does this verse relate to the concept of surrender (Prapatti)?

Arjuna explicitly attributes his clarity and freedom from doubt to 'tvat prasadan' (your grace), which is an act of complete surrender. He acknowledges that his own effort alone was insufficient; it required divine intervention to remove his delusion, embodying the essence of total reliance on God.

Why does Arjuna use the word 'Achyuta' when addressing Krishna?

'Achyuta' means the infallible one or the imperishable. By using this name, Arjuna is acknowledging that Krishna never falls from his divine state and will not lead a devotee astray. It reflects deep reverence for Krishna's perfection as the source of all truth.

What does 'Kariṣye vacanaṃ tava' imply about Arjuna's mindset?

This phrase translates to 'I will do your word,' indicating a complete shift from hesitation and intellectual debate to unwavering commitment. It shows that once the mind is cleared of doubt, action becomes spontaneous and aligned with divine will without resistance.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 18.73 →