In the Bhagavad-gita, the last instructive verse spoken by Krishna is one of its most oft-quoted verses. Celebrated by Ramanujacharya as the Gita’s crest-jewel verse, it is the finale after Krishna’s declaration of his love for Arjuna (18.64) and his call to Arjuna by embracing the path of wholehearted devotion (18.65). 

In this climactic verse, Krishna addresses Arjuna’s starting confusion about dharma: should he prioritize his kshatriya-dharma (guardian duty)  and fight or his kula-dharma (dynastic duty) and abstain from fighting? Though Krishna has previously explained from multiple perspectives why Arjuna needs to do his kshatriya-dharma here Krishna sweeps aside all technicalities to enthrone divine love as the zenith of all dharma. Hence his paradoxical call to renounce all dharma — he is not asking Arjuna to act irresponsibly, but to recognize that the purpose and perfection of all dharma, which ultimately comes from Krishna, is to bring us to the level of loving Krishna and harmonizing with his will. When Krishna himself is directly stating his will, Arjuna has no reason to let his own conceptions about dharma hold him back. 

What if Arjuna still has some residual fears about giving up his kula-dharma? Addressing such fears in the verse’s second half, Krishna assures Arjuna of protection from all sinful reactions.

The path of divine love (bhakti-yoga) beckons not just Arjuna, but all of us. Love, when directed toward the Divine with saintly guidance, inspires us to the purest, noblest, most selfless actions, far higher than what the most meticulous diligence to duty can enable us to do. Indeed, our various duties are meant to progressively elevate us to the level of selfless loving service, which is best attained through the practice of bhakti-yoga. 

One-sentence summary: 

The Gita’s concluding verses urges us to act in a mood of loving service to Krishna and to not let moral confusion come in the way of our devotional dedication. 

Think it over: 

  • How does Krishna’s conclusion address Arjuna’s starting concern?
  • How does Krishna address Arjuna’s residual fear?
  • How does Krishna’s last instructive verse speak to all of us?  

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18.66: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.