Toward the conclusion of the Gita, Krishna expresses his eagerness that everyone connect with the Gita’s overall message at some level or the other (18.68-71). To that end, he offers three levels for connection. To better appreciate these levels, let’s compare them to three ways a person (a rescuer) may help someone who has fallen in a well (a rescuee). 

Sharing the message (18.68-69): Krishna declares that those who share the Gita will be guaranteed transcendental devotion and will attain his abode. Both these results are remarkable and difficult to achieve. Earlier, he has declared transcendental devotion is attained (18.54) only after long rigorous practice of jnana-yoga (18.49-53). And his abode is attained only by lifelong diligent cultivation of his remembrance (08.07). As sharing the Gita’s message requires significant effort, let’s compare it to the rescuer sending down a rope and telling the rescuee to climb out. 

Studying the message (18.70): For those who find sharing the Gita too demanding, Krishna extends his mercy by urging them to just study it. In terms of the well metaphor, if the rescuee finds climbing up using the rope too strenuous, the rescuer may offer to pull them out — they just need to hold on to the rope. 

Hearing the message (18.71): For those who find even studying the Gita too demanding, Krishna extends his mercy further by urging that they just hear it. In terms of the well metaphor, if the rescuee finds even holding on to the rope too strenuous, the rescuer may send a rope that is attached to a steady seat — they just need to sit on it and they will be pulled out. 

One-sentence summary: 

Krishna’s loving eagerness is seen in his offering of increasingly easier ways of connecting with his message — sharing, studying and hearing. 

Think it over: 

  • What is remarkable about Krishna’s promises for those who share his message?
  • What are the three levels that Krishna offers for connecting with his message?
  • Explain metaphorically how the three levels reveal Krishna’s love. 

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18.71: And one who listens with faith and without envy becomes free from sinful reactions and attains to the auspicious planets where the pious dwell.

How Krishna’s concluding words reveal his loving eagerness that everyone connect with the Gita

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