A declaration · reflective in mood · builds on earlier teachings
“The deepest teaching opens only to devotion and trust.”
Because you are my devotee and my friend, I have taught you today this ancient yoga. It is a supreme secret.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallythat · indeed · this · by me · to you · today · yoga · spoken · ancient · devotee · you are · my · friend · and · thus · secret · indeed · this · supreme
Krishna says he is teaching Arjuna an ancient teaching because Arjuna is both devoted and close to him. This teaching is a rare and highest secret.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Verse 3 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
A mentor finally tells you the hard truth after years of trust, not because you asked perfectly, but because you are ready to hear it.
Did you like this verse?
Arjuna receives this old secret because he is Krishna's devotee and his friend.
What this verse means
Krishna says he is teaching Arjuna an ancient teaching because Arjuna is both devoted and close to him. This teaching is a rare and highest secret.
Context & commentary
Arjuna is still stunned by Krishna's earlier claim that this teaching began long ago. Krishna now explains why it is being given here, to Arjuna, who is both devoted and a trusted friend. That relationship makes the hidden teaching possible.
What it looks like today
A mentor finally tells you the hard truth after years of trust, not because you asked perfectly, but because you are ready to hear it.
“Closeness opens what argument cannot. Trust makes room for the deepest teaching.”
Explore related themes: jnana yoga (13 verses)