Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Verse 18.73
अर्जुन उवाचनष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत।स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव।।18.73।।
arjuna uvācha naṣhṭo mohaḥ smṛitir labdhā tvat-prasādān mayāchyuta sthito ‘smi gata-sandehaḥ kariṣhye vachanaṁ tava
Word Meanings
arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; naṣhṭaḥ—dispelled; mohaḥ—illusion; smṛitiḥ—memory; labdhā—regained; tvat-prasādāt—by your grace; mayā—by me; achyuta—Shree Krishna, the infallible one; sthitaḥ—situated; asmi—I am; gata-sandehaḥ—free from doubts; kariṣhye—I shall act; vachanam—instructions; tava—your
Translation · English
Arjuna said, "My delusion has been destroyed, for I have gained my knowledge (memory) through Your grace, O Krishna. I am now free from doubts. I will act according to Your word."
Deep Meaning · English
This verse marks the climax of the spiritual transformation initiated in the Gita. Arjuna’s declaration of 'smṛitir labdhā' (regaining memory) signifies that he has reconnected with his true self—the Atman—which had been clouded by the fog of psychological confusion (moha). This is not merely an intellectual remembering of facts, but an ontological restoration; he has transitioned from viewing himself as a limited, frightened individual to recognizing his eternal nature, made possible solely through the 'prasāda' (divine grace) of Achyuta, the Infallible One. By calling Krishna 'Achyuta,' Arjuna acknowledges that while his own mind was prone to wavering, the Lord remained the immutable anchor of Truth throughout his crisis. The state of being 'gata-sandehaḥ' (doubt-free) indicates that the friction between duty (dharma) and personal desire has been reconciled by the higher perspective of divine surrender. Arjuna no longer acts from the ego, but as an instrument of the Divine, embodying the highest form of Yoga—Karma Yoga performed with full enlightenment and total devotion. He has moved from the paralysis of internal conflict to the harmony of purposeful action, recognizing that to follow the Lord's instruction is not an external imposition, but the expression of his own liberated will aligned with the Cosmic Order.
Spiritual awakening is the recovery of one's true nature through divine grace, leading to the alignment of individual action with the cosmic purpose, thereby dissolving the illusion of dualistic doubt.
Connected Verses
Reflects the foundational truth that Krishna is the source of all knowledge, which Arjuna finally realizes in 18.73.
Highlights the promise of divine grace which is the catalyst for the 'prasāda' that finally clears Arjuna's delusion.
Confirms that the knowledge Arjuna has 'regained' is the perfection of wisdom that eventually reveals itself within the heart.
This establishes the seeker's initial surrender, 'shishyas te 'ham', which culminates in the definitive resolution expressed in 18.73.
Community Insights
(0)Share your understanding of this verse with fellow seekers.
No insights yet. Be the first to share your understanding of this verse.