O Keshava, I accept as truth all that You have told me. Indeed, O Lord, neither the gods nor the demons know Your manifestation.
Synthesis
Arjuna accepts Krishna's words as truth, recognizing that neither gods nor demons can know the Lord's full manifestation. Shankaracharya sees this acceptance as the culmination of viveka (discrimination). Ramanujacharya reads it as the perfect response of the surrendered devotee. Madhva models proper faith: accepting truth because of who speaks it, recognizing that knowledge of God requires both grace and receptivity. Abhinavagupta interprets the unknowability of the divine by gods and demons as the impossibility of knowing Consciousness through objective investigation — Arjuna succeeds because he receives, not grasps. Vallabha sees Arjuna's 'I accept as truth' as the perfect devotional response — receiving the Lord's self-revelation with open-hearted faith. Tilak reads this as the practical conclusion of philosophical inquiry: once certainty is established, it is time to act. Vivekananda sees Arjuna's faith as intelligent surrender — investigate, experience, and then commit wholeheartedly. The Bhakti tradition celebrates the beauty of Arjuna's simple trust. Across all eight traditions, this verse models the ideal spiritual response: not blind belief, not endless skepticism, but intelligent, heartfelt acceptance of truth revealed by the highest possible authority — the divine itself speaking directly to the receptive heart.
Commentaries 8 traditions
Shankara highlights that Arjuna's acceptance is based on reason and revelation together. The word 'ṛtam' (truth) suggests cosmic truth, not merely personal opinion. Arjuna recognizes that even his own understanding cannot encompass the full reality of Brahman.
Apply This Verse
Personal Growth
There comes a point where you must accept the truth you've been given and act on it, even though you know your understanding is incomplete. This combination of confidence and humility is the mark of maturity.
Questions this verse answers
- ?"How do I accept truth even when I can't fully understand it?"
- ?"What does intelligent faith look like in practice?"
- ?"How do I hold confidence and humility at the same time?"
- ?"When should I stop analyzing and simply accept?"