अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः।ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः।।18.70।।
adhyeṣyate ca yaḥ imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādam āvayoḥ. jñānayajñena tena ahaṁ iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ.
Translation
And I say that he who studies this sacred dialogue of ours, through the sacrifice of knowledge, shall be dear to Me; this is my view.
Word Meanings
adhyeṣyate — will study; ca — also; yaḥ — he who; imaṁ — this; dharmyaṁ — sacred; saṁvādam — dialogue; āvayoḥ — of ours; jñānayajñena — by the sacrifice of knowledge; tena — by him; ahaṁ — I; iṣṭaḥ — dear; syām — shall be; iti — thus; me — my; matiḥ — opinion.
Understanding the Verse
Verse 18.70 concludes the Bhagavad Gita with a profound reminder that the ultimate purpose of the entire discourse is not merely to convey abstract philosophy, but to inspire a transformative practice rooted in knowledge (jñāna). The term adhyeṣyate (will study) emphasizes an active engagement; the listener must not remain a passive recipient but must immerse themselves in the study of the sacred dialogue. By invoking dharmyaṁ saṁvādam (sacred dialogue), Krishna highlights that the conversation between teacher and disciple, embodied in the Gita, is itself a vehicle of dharma, a living scripture that guides righteous action.
The phrase jñānayajñena (by the sacrifice of knowledge) links the act of learning to the ancient Vedic concept of yajña, the sacrificial offering that sustains cosmic order. Here, knowledge itself becomes a sacrifice—an offering that purifies the intellect and aligns the seeker with the divine will. When one offers the fire of wisdom, the inner fire of desire is transmuted into devotion, turning the mind into a self‑sacrificing altar.
Krishna then declares ahaṁ iṣṭaḥ syām (I shall be dear to him/she). The word iṣṭaḥ signifies beloved, cherished, or favored. By stating that the one who studies and offers knowledge as a sacrifice will become dear to Him, Krishna is promising a reciprocal relationship: the devotee’s dedication invites divine affection. This mutual affinity is the essence of bhakti, where the seeker’s sincere effort is met with the Lord’s gracious love.
Finally, iti me matiḥ (this is my opinion) marks Krishna’s concluding personal testimony. Throughout the Gita, he has spoken as an incarnation of the Supreme, but here He underscores that this statement reflects His conscious, compassionate judgment. It is a gentle encouragement for all aspirants to internalize the teaching: the study of sacred dialogue, performed as a knowledge‑sacrifice, is the surest path to becoming beloved by the Divine.
In practical terms, this verse invites modern readers to treat scriptural study not as academic exercise but as a living, sacrificial practice. By approaching the Gita with reverence, reflecting on its teachings, and integrating them into daily conduct, one participates in a timeless yajña that purifies the heart. The promise that such a seeker becomes dear to the Divine offers both motivation and assurance, reinforcing the Gita’s overarching theme that knowledge, devotion, and right action together lead to ultimate liberation.
