अर्जुन उवाच नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युतः। स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव।।18.73।।
arjunaḥ uvāca naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtiḥ labdhā tvat‑prasādāt mayā acyutaḥ. sthitaḥ asmi gataḥ sandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava
Translation
Arjuna said: O Infallible One, by Your grace my illusion has been dispelled, and I have regained true memory. I am now firmly situated, all doubts removed, and I shall act according to Your instruction.
Word Meanings
arjunaḥ uvāca — Arjuna said; naṣṭaḥ — dispelled; mohaḥ — illusion; smṛtiḥ — memory; labdhā — regained; tvat‑prasādāt — by Your mercy; mayā — by me; acyutaḥ — O infallible Krishna; sthitaḥ — situated; asmi — I am; gataḥ — removed; sandehaḥ — doubts; kariṣye — I shall execute; vacanam — order; tava — Your.
Understanding the Verse
In this concluding verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna proclaims the total transformation that has taken place within him after absorbing Krishna’s teachings. The opening words, ‘naṣṭo mohaḥ’, declare that the veil of ignorance – the ‘moha’ that blinds us to our true nature – has been completely removed. This is not a fleeting insight but a permanent dissolution of delusion, as Arjuna attributes the cause to ‘tvat‑prasādāt’, the divine grace of the Supreme Lord. The Gita repeatedly emphasizes that true knowledge arises only through the mercy (prasāda) of the Divine, which clears the heart’s obscurations.
The phrase ‘smṛtiḥ labdhā’ indicates that Arjuna has recovered the vital remembrance (smṛti) of the eternal Self (ātman) and the ultimate purpose of life. Throughout the dialogue, Krishna urged Arjuna to remember his dharma, the imperishable nature of the soul, and the reality beyond the material world. By stating that he has regained this memory, Arjuna affirms that he now perceives the distinction between the transient body and the unchanged spirit, thereby establishing a firm foundation for righteous action.
‘Sthitaḥ asmi’ declares Arjuna’s steady footing in spiritual knowledge. In the Gita, the ideal disciple is described as ‘sthitaprajña’, one who remains unmoved by pleasure or pain. Arjuna’s proclamation signifies that he has reached this state of equanimity, anchoring his consciousness in the eternal truth rather than the fleeting fluctuations of the battlefield.
Moreover, ‘gataḥ sandehaḥ’ confirms that all residual doubts have been eradicated. Earlier in the scripture, Arjuna’s doubts about duty, morality, and the results of action were the catalyst for the entire discourse. Now, with those doubts resolved, he declares his readiness to follow Krishna’s instructions without hesitation. This resolution epitomizes ‘nishkama karma’, the performance of duty without attachment to outcomes, which Krishna repeatedly advocated.
Finally, ‘kariṣye vacanaṁ tava’ signifies Arjuna’s commitment to implement the divine counsel. It is a promise to translate philosophical insight into concrete, selfless action. The Gita’s ultimate teaching is that knowledge must be manifested through dharmic conduct; merely understanding the doctrine without practice is incomplete. Arjuna’s statement thus embodies the culmination of the spiritual journey: knowledge, devotion, and disciplined action united in a single resolve.
Through this verse, the Gita offers a universal template for spiritual awakening. When the seeker, aided by divine grace, dispels illusion, regains true memory, steadies the mind, clears all doubts, and commits to action in line with higher wisdom, the cycle of suffering is broken. This transformation is not restricted to a warrior on a battlefield but applies to anyone facing the internal wars of ignorance, fear, and attachment. By internalizing this verse, modern readers can find inspiration to seek divine guidance, let go of delusion, and act purposefully in the world.
