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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.5418.56

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.55

Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhakti

भक्त्य‍ा मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वत: ।

ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ॥ ५५ ॥

bhaktyā mām abhijānāti

yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ

tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā

viśate tad-anantaram

Translation

One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Knowing Kṛṣṇa Through Devotion

  1. 1Only devotional service reveals Kṛṣṇa as He is, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Full awareness of Him through devotion allows one to enter His kingdom.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that entering Kṛṣṇa’s kingdom does not mean losing our identity. We remain individuals and continue serving Him after liberation.
  3. 3Practice pure devotional service under a pure devotee’s guidance, and hear about Kṛṣṇa to grow more attached to serving Him.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 18, The Perfection of Renunciation: purification, realization and knowing krishna by bhakti.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.55 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.49Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhaktiBG 18.50Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhaktiBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.