Chapter 18, Verse 66
Moksha Sanyaas Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
sarva-dharmān—all varieties of dharmas; parityajya—abandoning; mām—unto me; ekam—only; śharaṇam—take refuge; vraja—take; aham—I; tvām—you; sarva—all; pāpebhyaḥ—from sinful reactions; mokṣhayiṣhyāmi—shall liberate; mā—do not; śhuchaḥ—fear
English translation
Abandon all duties and take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate you from all sins; do not grieve.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 18.66
Commentary
This is the answer given by the Lord to the question put by Arjuna in chapter II; verse 7 I ask Thee which may be the better tell me that decidedly. I am Thy disciple; suppliant to Thee teach me. All Dharmas Righteous deeds; including Adharma all actions; righteous or unrighteous; as absolute freedom from all actions is intended to be taught here. Taking refuge in Me alone implies the knowledge of unity without any thought of duality knowing that there is nothing else except Me; the Self of all; dwelling the same in all. If thou art established in this faith; I shall liberate thee from all sins; from all bonds of Dharma and Adharma by manifesting Myself as thy own Self. To behold forms is the Dharma of the eye. The support or substratum of all forms is Brahman. When you look at an object behold Brahman Which is the one essence and abandon the form as it is illusory and unreal. Have the same attitude towards the other objects which pertain to the other senses. Give up the JivaDharma (the notions I am the doer o actions; I enjoy. I am a Brahmana. I am a Brahmachari. I am endowed with a little knowledge and power; etc. and get yourself established in BrahmaBhavana (the understanding or knowledge I am Brahman). This is what is meant by taking refuge in Lord Krishna; according to the Vedantins. Work ceaselessly for the Lord but surrender the fruits of all actions to the Lord. Take the Lord as your sole refuge. Live for Him. Work for Him. Serve Him in all forms. Think of Him only. Meditate on Him alone. See Him in all forms. Think of Him only. Meditate on Him alone. See Him everywhere. Worship Him in your heart. Consecrate your life; all actions; feelings and thoughts to the Lord. You will rest in Him. You will attain union with Him. You will attain immortal supreme peace and eternal bliss. This is the view of another school of thought. Sri Sankara very strongly refutes the idea that knowledge in conjunction with Karma (action) produces or leads to liberation. He says that Karma and knowledge may not go together in the same man; that karma helps the man to get purification of the heart; and that right knowledge of the Self alone will give him absolute freedom from Samsara. He says that work and knowledge are like darkness and light; that action is possible only in this universe of illusory phenomena which is the projection of ignorance and knowledge dispels this ignorance. (Cf. III.30IX.22)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
Simple Meaning
Abandoning all varieties of duty and formal religion, surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins and reactions; do not fear.
Context & Background
The final, supreme declaration (Charama Shloka) of the entire Bhagavad Gita.
Key Philosophical Teaching
Complete, loving surrender to the Divine transcends all rigid rituals and resolves all fears, granting total liberation.
Practical Application
Release anxiety, guilt, and existential fear by surrendering your ego to the Supreme Wisdom and trusting divine grace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BG 18.66 called the Charama Shloka?
It is considered the ultimate core instruction of the Gita, where Krishna promises complete forgiveness and liberation to anyone who surrenders to Him with full heart.
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