Quiz · 18.49–18.66
The refuge
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 18.66, what form is mokṣayiṣyāmi (मोक्षयिष्यामि), and what does he say he will do?
Answer
Future, first person singular, causative. The stem is mokṣaya (मोक्षय). Count mo kṣa yi ṣyā mi (मो क्ष यि ष्या मि): kṣa (क्ष) keeps its a (अ), and yi (यि) is the next syllable. He will release tvā (त्वा), you, from all evils, sarva-pāpebhyaḥ (सर्व-पापेभ्यः).
2
In 18.59, the line recites na yotsya iti (न योत्स्य इति). What verb is under that, and which sandhi hides its ending?
Answer
yotsye (योत्स्ये), "I shall fight," future, first person singular, middle, of yudh (युध्). योत्स्ये + इति yotsye + iti is yotsya iti (योत्स्य इति). e (ए) before i (इ) becomes a (अ), and the i (इ) of iti (इति) stays. There is no avagraha, because the vowel that followed was i (इ).
3
Say what 18.66 means, in one sentence.
Answer
Leaving all dharmas, come to me alone for refuge; I shall release you from all evils; do not grieve.
4
Where does 18.49–18.66 sit in the talk between Arjuna (अर्जुन) and Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण)?
Answer
From the success of one's own work, the man whose buddhi is unattached reaches the success of freedom from binding action, and then brahman (ब्रह्म). Become brahman (ब्रह्म), he obtains the highest devotion, and by that devotion he knows Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) and enters. Even while doing all actions, refuge in him reaches the perpetual place. The lord stands in the heart of all beings (18.61), turning them by māyā (माया). Go to him for refuge. The most secret word is the last command: leaving all dharmas, come to me alone for refuge (18.66). Do not grieve.
5
Say the command of 18.66, including the future as the line spells it. Which syllable fails the sitting if kṣa (क्ष) is read kṣya (क्ष्य)?
Answer
sarva-dharmān parityajya (सर्व-धर्मान् परित्यज्य), माम् एकम् शरणम् व्रज mām ekam śaraṇam vraja, aham tvā sarva-pāpebhyaḥ mokṣayiṣyāmi (अहम् त्वा सर्व-पापेभ्यः मोक्षयिष्यामि), mā śucaḥ (मा शुचः). The future is mo kṣa yi ṣyā mi (मो क्ष यि ष्या मि). If kṣa (क्ष) is read kṣya (क्ष्य), stay.