Chapter 15, Verse 20
इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयानघ | एतद्बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत ||१५-२०||
iti guhyatamaṃ śāstramidamuktaṃ mayānagha . etadbuddhvā buddhimānsyātkṛtakṛtyaśca bhārata ||15-20||
Meaning
15.20 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.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Krishna closes the chapter by underscoring the supreme value of what He has just revealed. He calls it guhyatamaṃ śāstram — the most secret teaching of all — not because it is meant to be hidden, but because its depth is grasped only by the prepared and earnest heart. The knowledge of the Puruṣottama is the highest wisdom, and Krishna places it before Arjuna as a sacred trust.
The promise that follows is complete fulfillment. One who truly understands this teaching becomes buddhimān, genuinely wise, and kṛtakṛtya — one who has done all that needs to be done, with nothing left to accomplish. This is the rare state of inner completeness, where the restless seeking of life finally comes to rest. Addressing Arjuna as anagha, the sinless one, Krishna affirms his fitness to receive it. The chapter thus ends on a note of profound peace: to know the Supreme Person is to arrive, at last, at the goal of all striving.
💡 Key Takeaway
Realizing the Supreme Person is the highest wisdom that brings life to complete fulfillment.
Related Verses
न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा | अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलं असङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ||१५-३||
na rūpamasyeha tathopalabhyate nānto na cādirna ca sampratiṣṭhā . aśvatthamenaṃ suvirūḍhamūlaṃ asaṅgaśastreṇa dṛḍhena chittvā ||15-3||
15.3 Its form is not perceived here as such, neither its end nor its origin, nor its foundation nor resting place: having cut asunder this firmly rooted peepul tree with the strong axe of non-attachment.
ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यं यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूयः | तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये | यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी ||१५-४||
tataḥ padaṃ tatparimārgitavyaṃ yasmingatā na nivartanti bhūyaḥ . tameva cādyaṃ puruṣaṃ prapadye . yataḥ pravṛttiḥ prasṛtā purāṇī ||15-4||
15.4 Then That goal should be sought for, whither having gone none returns again. I seek refuge in that Primeval Purusha Whence streamed forth the ancient activity or energy.
न तद्भासयते सूर्यो न शशाङ्को न पावकः | यद्गत्वा न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम ||१५-६||
na tadbhāsayate sūryo na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ . yadgatvā na nivartante taddhāma paramaṃ mama ||15-6||
15.6 Neither doth the sun illumine there nor the moon, nor the fire; having gone thither they return not; that is My supreme abode.