|| 7.18 ||

उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम्। आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम्।।

udārāḥ sarva evaite jñānī tv ātmaiva me matam āsthitaḥ sa hi yuktātmā mām evānuttamāṁ gatim

udārāḥ (magnanimous) sarve (all) eva (certainly) ete (these) jñānī (one who is in knowledge) tu (but) ātmā eva (just like Myself) me (My) matam (opinion) āsthitaḥ (situated) saḥ (he) hi (certainly) yukta-ātmā (connected in devotion) mām (unto Me) eva (certainly) anuttamām (the highest) gatim (destination)

All these devotees are undoubtedly magnanimous souls, but he who is situated in knowledge of Me I consider to be just like My own self. Being engaged in My transcendental service, he is sure to attain Me, the highest and most perfect goal.

Kṛṣṇa shows His incredible magnanimity here. He says that all the devotees—even those who come for money or out of distress—are ‘udārāḥ’, or noble and great souls. He doesn’t look down on anyone who turns to Him. However, He repeats that the wise devotee is “just like My own self.” This means that the wise devotee and the Lord are in perfect harmony. The jñānī has no agenda other than serving Kṛṣṇa, so their mind and Kṛṣṇa’s mind are one. Such a person is firmly situated in the Lord and considers Him to be the ‘anuttamāṁ gatim’, the highest and most perfect goal of life. Kṛṣṇa values the soul who recognizes His true position. By calling the devotee His ‘own self’, He shows the level of intimacy that is possible in Bhakti. It is a state of total union where the interests of the lover and the Beloved are identical. Kṛṣṇa is inviting Arjuna into this innermost circle of divine friendship.
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