Verses for when you feel
375 verses tagged for this mood
ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ | माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ||१-१४||
Then Krishna and Arjuna, standing together in their grand chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their sacred conches. In the midst of a tense battlefield, this is a powerful moment of readiness: Arjuna is not alone, for Krishna is beside him as his guide and support before the great challenge begins.
सञ्जय उवाच तं तथा कृपयाविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम् | विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः ||२-१||
Sanjaya describes Arjuna at his breaking point—overwhelmed by compassion, grief, and inner conflict, his eyes filled with tears. In that moment of despair, Krishna begins to speak, opening the guidance that will help Arjuna see beyond his confusion.
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः | यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ||२-७||
Arjuna admits that grief and helplessness have clouded his judgment, and he can no longer see his duty clearly. Instead of pretending to have all the answers, he humbly asks Krishna to guide him as a teacher, seeking what will truly lead to his highest good.
तमुवाच हृषीकेशः प्रहसन्निव भारत | सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये विषीदन्तमिदं वचः ||२-१०||
Seeing Arjuna overwhelmed with sorrow between the two armies, Krishna begins to speak. His gentle, almost smiling manner shows the calm assurance of a teacher who knows that even deep confusion can be cleared by true understanding.
यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः सम्प्लुतोदके | तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ||२-४६||
When someone directly realizes the Self, the deeper purpose of all spiritual teachings becomes clear to them. Scriptures and rituals remain valuable guides, but for one who has reached that inner wisdom, they are like a small well when water is available everywhere after a flood—useful, yet no longer the only source of nourishment.
श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला | समाधावचला बुद्धिस्तदा योगमवाप्स्यसि ||२-५३||
When your mind is no longer pulled in different directions by conflicting ideas and advice, and becomes steady in inner awareness, you will attain yoga—the state of deep inner balance and union with the Self.
अर्जुन उवाच स्थितप्रज्ञस्य का भाषा समाधिस्थस्य केशव | स्थितधीः किं प्रभाषेत किमासीत व्रजेत किम् ||२-५४||
Arjuna asks Krishna how a person with truly steady wisdom lives in the world. He wants to understand the practical signs of inner peace: how such a person speaks, rests, and acts when their mind is firmly rooted in spiritual clarity.
तानि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्परः | वशे हि यस्येन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ||२-६१||
Bring all your senses under wise discipline and keep your mind anchored in the Divine. When cravings and impulses no longer pull you in every direction, your understanding becomes steady, clear, and dependable.
एषा ब्राह्मी स्थितिः पार्थ नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति | स्थित्वास्यामन्तकालेऽपि ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृच्छति ||२-७२||
Krishna says this is the state of a person rooted in the highest truth: they are no longer shaken by cravings, fear, or confusion. Even if someone becomes firmly established in this inner clarity at the very end of life, they attain lasting freedom and union with the Divine.
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः | परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ||३-११||
Krishna teaches that life works through mutual support and gratitude. When we perform our duties as an offering—with respect for the divine order, nature, and the people around us—those very forces sustain us in return. By nurturing this spirit of cooperation rather than selfish taking, we move toward true well-being.
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः | तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ||३-१२||
Krishna reminds us that life’s gifts—food, comfort, opportunities, and prosperity—come through a larger web of nature, society, and divine grace. To only consume and enjoy what we receive without gratitude, responsibility, or giving back is like taking from that shared system without contributing to it. Yajna here points to a spirit of selfless offering: receive thankfully, and use what you have in a way that supports others too.
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः | भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ||३-१३||
When we receive food, success, or any benefit with gratitude and a spirit of offering, it becomes a source of inner freedom. But when we live only for personal gain, ignoring our responsibility to others and the larger order of life, even our enjoyment can carry the burden of selfishness.
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम् | तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ||३-१५||
Krishna explains that righteous action is rooted in the sacred wisdom of the Vedas, which arises from the eternal, imperishable Reality. Therefore, when we perform our duties as an offering rather than merely for personal gain, our work becomes part of the divine order that sustains life.
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा | निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ||३-३०||
Offer your work to God and do it with an inwardly steady mind. Let go of anxious expectations about results and the feeling of “this is mine”; then carry out your duty without the inner stress, hesitation, or agitation that holds you back.
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः | श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ||३-३१||
Krishna says that people who follow this path of selfless action with faith, without constantly finding faults in it, gradually become free from the bondage created by their actions. When you do your duty sincerely and offer the results to a higher purpose, work no longer weighs down the mind.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् | विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ||४-१||
Krishna says that this timeless path of Yoga is not a new teaching. He first taught it to Vivasvan, who passed it to Manu, and Manu passed it to Ikshvaku. By tracing this lineage, Krishna shows that the wisdom of selfless action and spiritual awareness has guided humanity since ancient times.
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः | स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ||४-२||
Krishna says that this wisdom was once carefully passed down through a living tradition and understood by wise rulers. But over many generations its true practice and meaning faded away. Spiritual knowledge needs sincere learning, reflection, and practice; otherwise, even valuable teachings can become forgotten or misunderstood.
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः | भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ||४-३||
Krishna tells Arjuna that he is sharing this ancient path of Yoga with him because Arjuna is both a devoted seeker and a trusted friend. Its deepest wisdom is not merely information to be heard; it opens itself through faith, sincerity, and a close, trusting relationship with the Divine.
अर्जुन उवाच अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः | कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति ||४-४||
Arjuna asks an honest and practical question: Krishna was born much later than Vivasvan, the Sun-god, so how could Krishna have taught this ancient Yoga to him at the beginning? His question shows that genuine spiritual learning includes the courage to seek clarity when something does not make sense.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन | तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ||४-५||
Krishna tells Arjuna that both of them have lived through many births, but there is one important difference: Krishna remembers them all, while Arjuna does not. The verse gently points to the limits of ordinary human memory and understanding, while revealing Krishna’s timeless awareness.
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् | प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ||४-६||
Krishna says that although He is eternal, unborn, and the supreme Lord of all beings, He still chooses to appear in the world through His own divine power. Unlike ordinary birth, His appearance is not forced by karma or helplessness; it is a free and purposeful act for the welfare of the world.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत | अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ||४-७||
Whenever injustice grows and the values that sustain a good life begin to weaken, Krishna says that He makes His presence known in the world. This verse offers hope that dharma is never abandoned forever: when darkness rises, divine support also works to restore balance and righteousness.
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् | धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ||४-८||
Krishna says that whenever goodness is threatened and wrongdoing grows powerful, He manifests to protect those who live sincerely, restrain harmful forces, and restore dharma—the balance of truth, justice, and right action. It is a reassurance that the struggle for what is right is never abandoned, even when darkness seems strong.
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः | त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन ||४-९||
Krishna says that His birth and actions are not ordinary, driven by personal desire or karma like ours. When someone truly understands His divine purpose and lives with that understanding, they are freed from the cycle of repeated birth and death and ultimately reach Him.
वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः | बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः ||४-१०||
Many people have reached God by letting go of obsessive attachment, fear, and anger. When they turn wholeheartedly toward Him, take refuge in Him, and purify their understanding through true knowledge and disciplined inner practice, they gradually become united with His divine nature.
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् | मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ||४-११||
Krishna says that He responds to each person according to the sincerity and manner in which they turn toward Him. People may seek God through devotion, knowledge, selfless action, or even through worldly desires, but every genuine search moves along His path. The divine is not distant or unfair; our experience of grace deepens as our openness and surrender deepen.
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः | क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ||४-१२||
People who want quick, visible results from their efforts often worship different deities for worldly success. Krishna notes that in human life, action can indeed bring fast rewards—but these rewards are limited and temporary, unlike the deeper spiritual freedom gained through devotion and true knowledge.
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः | यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते ||४-२३||
When you do your work without clinging to personal rewards, and offer it as a sincere service to God or a higher purpose, your actions no longer bind you. A mind grounded in true understanding can act fully and responsibly while remaining inwardly free from guilt, ego, and the endless cycle of craving for results.
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् | ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ||४-२४||
When you act with the awareness that everything involved—the offering, the one who offers, the action itself, and its recipient—comes from the one Divine reality, ordinary work becomes sacred. By doing every action with this focused, selfless understanding, a person moves closer to realizing Brahman.
दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते | ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति ||४-२५||
People approach the sacred in different ways. Some worship the divine through traditional rituals, while others turn inward and offer their limited ego and sense of separateness into the awareness of Brahman. Krishna shows that when done with sincerity and understanding, spiritual practice can become a path to realizing the one divine reality.
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे | स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ||४-२८||
People express spiritual dedication in different ways: some give their resources, some practise discipline and self-control, some follow the path of yoga, and others dedicate themselves to study and deeper understanding. The verse reminds us that sincere effort to grow, when guided by commitment and a higher purpose, can itself become an offering.
अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे | प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः ||४-२९||
Some seekers turn the simple act of breathing into a spiritual practice. By carefully regulating the inward and outward breath, they steady the mind, gather their scattered energy, and cultivate inner discipline. The verse reminds us that sincere self-control and focused practice can become a form of offering to the Divine.
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् | नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ||४-३१||
When we act in a spirit of sacrifice—offering our effort for a higher good rather than only for ourselves—even what we receive becomes sacred and fulfilling. Such selfless living leads us toward the eternal truth. But a person who lives only for personal gain, without sharing, service, or gratitude, misses the deeper joy of both this life and the spiritual path.
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप | सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ||४-३३||
Krishna says that gaining true knowledge is greater than merely offering material things in worship. When we understand who we are, why we act, and the deeper truth behind life, our actions become wiser and more meaningful. Knowledge gives direction to every effort and ultimately helps us move beyond confusion and bondage to action.
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया | उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ||४-३४||
To gain deep spiritual understanding, approach a realised teacher with humility, sincere questions, and a willingness to learn through service. Such wise people, who have directly seen the truth, can guide you beyond mere information toward real knowledge.
यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव | येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि (var अशेषाणि) ||४-३५||
When you truly understand the deeper nature of the Self and God, the confusion that troubles you now will begin to fall away. You will recognise that all beings are connected: they exist within the same divine reality, within the Self and within Krishna.
श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः | ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ||४-३९||
True understanding comes to someone who has faith, stays sincerely committed to the path, and learns not to be ruled by restless desires and impulses. When this wisdom becomes real within us, it gradually brings a deep peace that ordinary achievements and pleasures cannot give.
साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः | एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम् ||५-४||
Only the immature see the path of inner wisdom and the path of selfless action as completely separate. When you sincerely follow either one in the right spirit, you move toward the same truth: freedom from ego and closeness to the Divine.
योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः | सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ||५-७||
A person who works with a steady, disciplined mind and self-control is not trapped by their actions. When they see the same divine Self present in every being, they can fulfil their responsibilities without selfishness, pride, or inner burden.
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः | लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ||५-१०||
When you do your work as an offering to the Divine, rather than as something to feed your ego or secure a particular result, you can stay inwardly free. Like a lotus leaf that rests on water without becoming wet, you can move through responsibilities and difficult situations without being weighed down by their negativity.
ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः | तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम् ||५-१६||
When self-knowledge removes the ignorance that clouds our mind, the highest truth becomes clear—just as the sun lights up everything at dawn. We begin to see beyond ego, confusion, and temporary ups and downs, recognising the divine reality within and around us.
तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणाः | गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषाः ||५-१७||
When a person turns their mind, identity, and deepest aim toward the Divine, wisdom gradually clears away the inner stains of ignorance and selfishness. Rooted in this awareness, they move beyond the repeated cycle of suffering and bondage and attain lasting freedom.
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि | शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ||५-१८||
A truly wise person sees the same divine reality in every being—whether someone is learned and respected, an animal, or a person society looks down upon. This does not deny visible differences; it means refusing to let status, birth, appearance, or social labels decide another being’s worth.
बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् | स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ||५-२१||
When we stop depending entirely on pleasures, praise, and comforts from the outside world, we begin to discover a deeper happiness within ourselves. A person who stays connected to the Divine finds a lasting peace that changing circumstances cannot take away.
योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः | स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति ||५-२४||
Real freedom begins when your happiness does not depend entirely on praise, possessions, entertainment, or other people’s approval. The yogi finds joy, rest, and guidance within through inner awareness and connection with the Divine; becoming steady in this way, they move toward liberation and oneness with Brahman.
लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः | छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ||५-२५||
True inner freedom comes to those who have cleansed their hearts of harmful tendencies, moved beyond inner conflict, and learned to govern their senses and mind. Such wise people do not live only for themselves; they find joy in working for the well-being of every being.
यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायणः | विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो यः सदा मुक्त एव सः ||५-२८||
True freedom is an inner state. A person who steadily disciplines the senses, mind, and intellect, and keeps liberation as the highest aim, rises above the pull of craving, fear, and anger. Such a wise person is free even while living in the world.
भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् | सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति ||५-२९||
Peace comes when we understand that God is the ultimate receiver of every sincere offering and effort, the Lord of the whole universe, and yet a true well-wisher of every living being. When we stop carrying the burden of control and dedicate our actions to Him, the mind becomes calmer and freer from fear and restlessness.
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः | मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ||६-१४||
For meditation to deepen, cultivate inner calm and let go of fear. Live with self-discipline, bring the wandering mind under gentle control, and keep your awareness centred on God as your highest purpose. This steady, devoted focus helps the mind become balanced and peaceful.
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः | शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ||६-१५||
When a person steadily practises meditation and learns to guide the mind instead of being pulled around by it, they discover a deep peace within. This is not just temporary relief from stress; it is the lasting peace that comes from resting in God and moving towards spiritual freedom.
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते | निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ||६-१८||
A person is truly established in meditation when their disciplined mind becomes steady within the Self, rather than constantly chasing one desire after another. This is not about rejecting life, but about finding an inner fullness that is no longer dependent on external pleasures or possessions.
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता | योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ||६-१९||
A meditator who has learned to steady the mind becomes like a lamp protected from the wind: calm, bright, and unwavering. Through regular practice, the mind stops being pulled in every direction by thoughts, worries, and desires, and rests deeply in the Self and in God.
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया | यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ||६-२०||
Through steady meditation, the restless mind gradually becomes still. In that inner quiet, a person discovers a contentment that does not depend on possessions, praise, or circumstances—it comes from connecting with the deeper Self within.
सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् | वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः ||६-२१||
In deep meditation, a person experiences a lasting inner joy that does not depend on pleasures of the senses. It is recognised by a calm, clear intellect; once established in that truth, one is no longer easily shaken or pulled away from it.
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः | यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ||६-२२||
When you discover the deep inner joy that comes from a steady, God-centred mind, no outer success or possession feels greater than it. Rooted in that peace, even serious hardships may bring pain, but they cannot shake you from within.
यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् | ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् ||६-२६||
The mind will naturally drift—towards worries, memories, desires, and distractions. Each time you notice it wandering, do not be discouraged or harsh with yourself; gently bring it back to your inner centre and to God. Meditation grows through this patient, repeated return.
प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम् | उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम् ||६-२७||
The deepest happiness comes to the meditator whose mind has become calm and whose restless passions have settled. Freed from inner negativity and established in spiritual awareness, such a person experiences a joy that does not depend on changing outer circumstances.
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी विगतकल्मषः | सुखेन ब्रह्मसंस्पर्शमत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते ||६-२८||
When a person keeps returning the mind to meditation and inner discipline, the heart gradually becomes clean of harmful tendencies and restlessness. From this steady connection with the Divine comes a deep, lasting joy—not a temporary pleasure dependent on outside circumstances.
सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि | ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः ||६-२९||
A person whose mind has become steady through meditation begins to see the same divine Self present in every living being. They also recognise that all beings are connected within that one reality, so they do not look at anyone with superiority, hatred, or indifference; they develop an equal and compassionate vision everywhere.
यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति | तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति ||६-३०||
When you learn to recognise the Divine presence in every person, creature, and part of life—and see all existence as resting in God—you no longer feel spiritually cut off from Him. This vision nurtures a steady closeness with God, even while living and acting in the world.
सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः | सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते ||६-३१||
A true yogi sees God present in every living being and relates to all with this sense of oneness. Whatever their outer role or way of life may be, such a person remains connected to the Divine through this loving, equal vision.
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन | सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः ||६-३२||
The highest yogi is someone who sees every being with the same empathy they would want for themselves. They recognise that others feel joy and pain just as deeply, and so they do not become indifferent to another person’s suffering or jealous of another person’s happiness.
अर्जुन उवाच अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः | अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति ||६-३७||
Arjuna asks a deeply human question: what happens to someone who sincerely believes and begins the path of meditation, but cannot steady the mind and falls short of full spiritual progress? He is worried that such a person may lose both worldly direction and spiritual fulfilment. The verse gives voice to the fear of failing despite genuine effort.
एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः | त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते ||६-३९||
Arjuna honestly admits that he still has a deep question and asks Krishna to remove it completely. When we feel stuck in confusion, it is wise to seek clear guidance from someone whose understanding we truly trust, rather than pretending to have all the answers ourselves.
प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः | शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते ||६-४१||
No sincere spiritual effort is ever wasted. A person who has begun the path of Yoga but does not complete it in this life first enjoys the results of their good deeds, and is then born into a pure and prosperous family where they receive supportive conditions to continue their inner journey.
अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् | एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् ||६-४२||
Krishna says that a sincere seeker who does not complete the path of meditation in one life may be born into a family of wise spiritual practitioners. Such a birth offers a rare and precious environment, where spiritual understanding, discipline, and guidance can help the seeker continue the journey already begun.
तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम् | यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन ||६-४३||
Krishna says that sincere spiritual effort is never wasted. A person who has practised before carries those inner impressions forward, regains that wisdom in a later life, and feels naturally drawn to continue the journey towards spiritual fulfilment.
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः | जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ||६-४४||
No sincere spiritual effort is ever wasted. The inner discipline and meditation practised in the past leave a deep impression, drawing a person back toward the path of Yoga even when they do not fully understand why. Even a genuine desire to know this path can lift one beyond mere bookish knowledge and ritualistic learning toward direct inner experience.
प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिषः | अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ||६-४५||
Spiritual growth is not lost, even when it feels slow or incomplete. A sincere seeker who keeps making effort, gradually cleanses the mind of harmful tendencies and, over many stages of growth, ultimately reaches the highest spiritual fulfilment.
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः | कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ||६-४६||
Krishna says that the path of Yoga—training the mind and turning it toward the Divine—is greater than mere austerity, bookish learning, or action done only for results. Knowledge, discipline, and work all have value, but they become complete when they help us develop inner steadiness and a living connection with God. Therefore, Krishna encourages Arjuna to become a true yogi.
योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना | श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः ||६-४७||
Krishna says that the highest yogi is not simply someone who meditates or practises discipline, but one whose heart is deeply connected to God. With sincere faith, such a person remembers, loves, and worships Him from within; this inner devotion makes their yoga complete.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः | असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु ||७-१||
Krishna tells Arjuna that true knowledge of the Divine comes through a mind lovingly focused on Him, steady spiritual practice, and trust in His guidance. When we turn to this path wholeheartedly, our doubts gradually fall away and we begin to understand the deeper reality behind life.
ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः | यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते ||७-२||
Krishna promises to explain not just ideas about spiritual truth, but the lived realisation of it. When a person truly understands the source behind life, the world, and the self, they gain the essential wisdom that gives all other knowledge its proper place.
मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये | यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ||७-३||
Many people seek success, knowledge, or self-improvement, but only a few sincerely strive for inner spiritual fulfilment. Even among those who make that effort, truly knowing Krishna as the deepest reality behind all life requires rare humility, devotion, and steady practice.
अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् | जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ||७-५||
Krishna says that beyond the material world of body, mind, senses, and elements lies His higher nature: the living consciousness within every being. It is this divine life-force that sustains the world, reminding us that we are not merely physical matter but carry a deeper spiritual essence.
एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय | अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा ||७-६||
Krishna says that all living beings arise from His divine and material energies, and that He is the ultimate origin of the entire universe. Everything that appears eventually returns to Him at dissolution; nothing exists independently of this supreme reality.
मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय | मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव ||७-७||
Krishna says that nothing exists above or beyond the Supreme Reality. Everything in the universe is connected to and sustained by Him, just as many beads are held together by a single unseen thread. Remembering this underlying divine connection can bring steadiness and meaning amid life’s many changes.
रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः | प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु ||७-८||
Krishna says that the divine is not distant or hidden only in rituals—it can be recognised in the simple wonders of daily life: the taste of water, the light of the sun and moon, the sacred sound Om, and the strength within people. By learning to notice these gifts with awareness and gratitude, we begin to see God’s presence throughout the world.
पुण्यो गन्धः पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ | जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु ||७-९||
Krishna says that the pure fragrance of the earth, the glow of fire, the life-force in every creature, and the discipline of sincere seekers are all expressions of His presence. The Divine is not distant from everyday life; it can be recognised in nature, vitality, and the quiet strength to live with self-control and purpose.
बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् | बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ||७-१०||
Krishna says that the source of every living being is eternal divine reality. The intelligence that helps a person understand deeply, and the radiance seen in those who shine through courage, character, or excellence, are expressions of that same divine presence. This is an invitation to recognise God not only in creation, but also in the finest qualities within ourselves and others.
ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये | मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि ||७-१२||
Everything in the world—whether calm and clear, restless and ambitious, or dull and confused—arises from the Divine. These qualities exist within God’s creation and depend on Him, but God is not limited or trapped by any of them. Remembering this helps us rise above our changing moods and nature instead of being ruled by them.
त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् | मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम् ||७-१३||
The whole world is influenced by the three qualities of nature—clarity and harmony, restless desire, and inertia. Caught in these changing moods and tendencies, people fail to recognise the Divine reality that lies beyond them: Krishna, the unchanging source of all.
दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया | मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते ||७-१४||
Krishna says that Maya—the powerful pull of desires, attachments, habits, and the three qualities of nature—is not easy to overcome by willpower alone. But when a person sincerely turns to Him, trusts Him, and takes refuge in the Divine, they gain the inner strength and clarity to rise above this illusion.
न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः | माययापहृतज्ञाना आसुरं भावमाश्रिताः ||७-१५||
Krishna says that people who repeatedly choose harmful actions, remain trapped in ignorance, and let arrogance or selfishness rule them do not turn towards the Divine. Maya clouds their understanding, making them mistake destructive tendencies for strength and keeping them away from truth and inner growth.
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन | आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ||७-१६||
Krishna says that people turn toward God for different sincere reasons: when they are suffering, when they seek answers, when they desire security or success, and when they have gained spiritual wisdom. Every honest step toward the Divine has value; devotion can begin in a time of need and gradually deepen into understanding and love.
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते | प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ||७-१७||
Among those who turn to God, the person who seeks true understanding and stays steadily devoted is especially close to Krishna. This is a relationship of deep love: the wise devotee treasures the Divine above all, and the Divine holds that devotee dear in return.
उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् | आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ||७-१८||
Krishna says that every person who turns to God with faith is worthy and noble. Yet the person of true wisdom is especially close to Him, because they do not seek God only for relief, gain, or answers—they recognise Him as the highest truth and make union with Him the central aim of life.
बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते | वासुदेवः सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभः ||७-१९||
After a long journey of learning and inner growth, a truly wise person realises that the Divine, Vasudeva, is present in and behind everything. With this understanding, they surrender to God wholeheartedly; such broad and humble vision is rare.
कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः | तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ||७-२०||
When our mind is pulled strongly by particular desires, we can lose sight of the deeper truth and turn toward whatever seems most likely to fulfil those wishes. Krishna says that people then follow different forms of worship and practices according to their own nature. The verse invites us to notice whether our spiritual choices come from genuine understanding or from a desire for quick results.
यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति | तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् ||७-२१||
Krishna says that when a person sincerely wishes to worship a particular divine form, He Himself strengthens that person’s faith in that path. This teaches that genuine faith can be a sacred starting point, while all sincere worship ultimately rests on the support of the one Supreme Reality.
स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते | लभते च ततः कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान् ||७-२२||
When a person worships a particular form of the divine with sincere faith, that faith can help them fulfil their desires. Yet Krishna reminds us that whatever comes to us through any form of worship is ultimately granted by the one Supreme Divine behind all forms.
अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम् | देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि ||७-२३||
Krishna says that when we seek temporary rewards—success, comfort, status, or even blessings from limited powers—the results are temporary too. Devotion to the Supreme leads beyond passing gains, bringing the seeker closer to the eternal source itself.
अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः | परं भावमजानन्तो ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम् ||७-२४||
Krishna says that people with limited understanding see Him only in a visible, human form and assume that this is all He is. They do not recognise His deeper reality: the eternal, changeless Supreme Presence that exists beyond every form while also sustaining all forms.
नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः | मूढोऽयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम् ||७-२५||
Krishna says that his true, eternal nature is not obvious to everyone because Maya—the power that makes the temporary world seem like the whole reality—covers our understanding. When the mind is trapped in ignorance and appearances, it fails to recognise the Divine as unborn, unchanging, and present beyond all passing forms.
वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन | भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन ||७-२६||
Krishna tells Arjuna that nothing about any being is hidden from Him: He knows the past, understands the present, and sees what lies ahead. Yet people, limited by ego and Maya, do not truly recognise His divine nature. The verse invites us to approach the Divine with humility rather than assuming our limited understanding can grasp everything.
इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत | सर्वभूतानि सम्मोहं सर्गे यान्ति परन्तप ||७-२७||
From the very beginning of life, we get pulled between what we want and what we dislike. This constant swing—chasing pleasant things and resisting unpleasant ones—clouds our judgment and makes us forget the deeper truth of who we are. Krishna points to this inner confusion as a basic human struggle, one that can be overcome by turning the mind toward wisdom and the Divine.
येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम् | ते द्वन्द्वमोहनिर्मुक्ता भजन्ते मां दृढव्रताः ||७-२८||
When a person steadily chooses good and selfless actions, the inner burden of wrongdoing gradually weakens. Freed from being constantly tossed between pleasure and pain, gain and loss, they can turn to God with a clear heart and unwavering devotion.
जरामरणमोक्षाय मामाश्रित्य यतन्ति ये | ते ब्रह्म तद्विदुः कृत्स्नमध्यात्मं कर्म चाखिलम् ||७-२९||
People who sincerely seek freedom from the cycle of ageing and death and take refuge in Krishna begin to understand the deepest truth of life. Through this devotion, they come to know Brahman, their own true spiritual nature, and how all actions fit into the larger reality.
साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदुः | प्रयाणकालेऽपि च मां ते विदुर्युक्तचेतसः ||७-३०||
Those who recognise Krishna as the reality within the changing world, the guiding divine forces, and every selfless offering develop a mind anchored in Him. Because their awareness has been trained through life, they can remember and know Him even at the final moment of death.
अर्जुन उवाच किं तद् ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम | अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ||८-१||
Arjuna asks Krishna to explain several deep ideas clearly: Brahman, the true self, action, the changing physical world, and the divine forces that govern it. His questions show that sincere spiritual understanding begins by admitting what we do not yet understand and seeking guidance with humility.
अधियज्ञः कथं कोऽत्र देहेऽस्मिन्मधुसूदन | प्रयाणकाले च कथं ज्ञेयोऽसि नियतात्मभिः ||८-२||
Arjuna asks Krishna to explain Adhiyajna—the divine presence connected with sacrifice and worship that lives within the body. He also wants to know how a person with a disciplined mind can remember and recognise God at the final moment of life. The question points to the value of building a steady spiritual practice now, rather than waiting for life’s last moment.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते | भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः ||८-३||
Krishna begins by clarifying some deep spiritual terms. Brahman is the eternal reality that never fades or dies; the inner self is our deepest spiritual nature; and karma is the outward action through which life and its countless forms continue to unfold. The verse invites us to look beyond temporary changes and understand the lasting truth behind them.
अधिभूतं क्षरो भावः पुरुषश्चाधिदैवतम् | अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर ||८-४||
Krishna explains three ways to understand existence: the changing physical world is Adhibhuta, the guiding divine consciousness behind the senses and beings is Adhidaiva, and He Himself is Adhiyajna—the inner presence that receives and sustains every sincere offering made through this body. Even while living in a perishable body, we can remember the divine reality within us.
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् | यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः ||८-५||
Krishna says that a person who leaves the body while remembering Him reaches His divine state. This final remembrance is not something to force at the last moment; it grows naturally from a life spent turning the mind toward God with love, faith, and devotion.
यं यं वापि स्मरन्भावं त्यजत्यन्ते कलेवरम् | तं तमेवैति कौन्तेय सदा तद्भावभावितः ||८-६||
The state of mind we carry at death is shaped by what we have repeatedly filled our mind with throughout life. Krishna’s point is not to panic about one final moment, but to build a steady habit of remembering the Divine and living with higher values every day, so that this remembrance becomes natural when it matters most.
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च | मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्मामेवैष्यस्यसंशयः (orसंशयम्) ||८-७||
Krishna tells Arjuna not to escape his responsibilities in the name of spirituality. Keep remembering the Divine through every moment, while also doing the work and duty before you with courage. When your heart and understanding are offered to God, even action becomes a path that brings you closer to Him.
अभ्यासयोगयुक्तेन चेतसा नान्यगामिना | परमं पुरुषं दिव्यं याति पार्थानुचिन्तयन् ||८-८||
When you train your mind through steady practice to return to the Divine instead of running after distractions, your inner direction becomes clear. By remembering God with focused love again and again, you gradually move closer to the Supreme Reality.
कविं पुराणमनुशासितार- मणोरणीयंसमनुस्मरेद्यः | सर्वस्य धातारमचिन्त्यरूप- मादित्यवर्णं तमसः परस्तात् ||८-९||
Krishna asks us to remember the Divine as the timeless source and guide of all life—present even in the smallest detail, yet greater than anything we can imagine. This radiant presence lies beyond the darkness of ignorance; keeping the mind connected to it steadily brings clarity and freedom, especially in life’s final moment.
प्रयाणकाले मनसाऽचलेन भक्त्या युक्तो योगबलेन चैव | भ्रुवोर्मध्ये प्राणमावेश्य सम्यक् स तं परं पुरुषमुपैति दिव्यम् ||८-१०||
A person who has trained the mind through steady yoga and loving devotion can remain inwardly focused even at the time of death. With awareness gathered and directed toward the Divine, they attain the radiant Supreme Being. The verse reminds us that such final remembrance is built through a lifetime of sincere practice, not created suddenly at the last moment.
यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति विशन्ति यद्यतयो वीतरागाः | यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदं संग्रहेण प्रवक्ष्ये ||८-११||
Krishna is about to explain the highest, imperishable reality—the goal praised by the Vedas and sought by disciplined seekers who have let go of worldly attachments. It is the truth for which people practise self-control and a focused, value-based life: lasting union with the Divine, beyond temporary pleasures and fears.
सर्वद्वाराणि संयम्य मनो हृदि निरुध्य च | मूध्न्यार्धायात्मनः प्राणमास्थितो योगधारणाम् ||८-१२||
Krishna describes a deep yogic practice of turning the senses inward, steadying the mind in the heart, and gathering one’s vital energy in focused awareness. The point is not merely physical control; it is to become so inwardly absorbed and disciplined that the mind can remain fixed on the Divine, even at life’s final moment.
ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन् | यः प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम् ||८-१३||
Krishna says that one who leaves the body while chanting Om—the sacred sound that points to the Supreme Reality—and remembering Him reaches the highest spiritual destination. This is not only about the final moment of life; it teaches us to build a steady habit of remembrance, devotion, and inner focus throughout our lives.
अनन्यचेताः सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः | तस्याहं सुलभः पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः ||८-१४||
Krishna says that He is not distant or difficult to reach for someone whose heart stays connected to Him with steady, single-minded devotion. When remembering God becomes a regular part of life—not only in moments of crisis—the seeker gradually experiences His presence and comes closer to Him.
मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दुःखालयमशाश्वतम् | नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः संसिद्धिं परमां गताः ||८-१५||
Those who truly realise and attain the Divine are no longer bound to the repeated cycle of birth and death in this temporary, suffering-filled world. Having reached the highest spiritual fulfilment, they find lasting freedom and peace in God.
आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन | मामुपेत्य तु कौन्तेय पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते ||८-१६||
Krishna says that even the highest realms of worldly existence are temporary; after their rewards are exhausted, one must return to the cycle of birth and death. But one who truly reaches and unites with the Divine is freed from this repeated coming and going, finding a lasting home beyond all temporary achievements.
सहस्रयुगपर्यन्तमहर्यद् ब्रह्मणो विदुः | रात्रिं युगसहस्रान्तां तेऽहोरात्रविदो जनाः ||८-१७||
Brahma’s day and night each stretch across a thousand great ages, showing how vast the cycles of creation and dissolution are. Those who truly understand this see that even the longest cosmic span is temporary, and that the Divine reality beyond these cycles is what deserves our deepest focus.
अव्यक्ताद् व्यक्तयः सर्वाः प्रभवन्त्यहरागमे | रात्र्यागमे प्रलीयन्ते तत्रैवाव्यक्तसंज्ञके ||८-१८||
Everything we see in the universe appears for a time and then returns to an unseen state. Just as day and night follow one another, creation repeatedly unfolds and dissolves in a vast cosmic cycle. This reminds us not to cling too tightly to temporary forms, but to seek the enduring reality beyond them.
भूतग्रामः स एवायं भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते | रात्र्यागमेऽवशः पार्थ प्रभवत्यहरागमे ||८-१९||
Krishna says that all living beings repeatedly appear and disappear with the cycles of creation, not by their own choice but under the force of nature. This reminds us that the material world is temporary, and encourages us to seek the lasting peace of connection with the Divine.
परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्योऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातनः | यः स सर्वेषु भूतेषु नश्यत्सु न विनश्यति ||८-२०||
Beyond the changing universe lies an eternal reality that cannot be seen with ordinary eyes and cannot be destroyed. Bodies, worlds, and all created things may pass away, but this Supreme, timeless existence remains untouched; turning our awareness towards it frees us from the fear of loss and death.
अव्यक्तोऽक्षर इत्युक्तस्तमाहुः परमां गतिम् | यं प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम ||८-२१||
Krishna speaks of the Supreme Reality as unseen, unchanging, and beyond the temporary world we experience. Reaching this highest state means freedom from the repeated cycle of birth and death; it is Krishna’s eternal abode, where the seeker finds lasting fulfilment and peace.
पुरुषः स परः पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया | यस्यान्तःस्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ||८-२२||
Krishna says that the Supreme Reality, who holds all beings within Himself and pervades the whole universe, is reached through exclusive, wholehearted devotion. When the heart stops seeking ultimate support in temporary things and turns steadily toward the Divine, it moves closer to Him.
यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिनः | प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ||८-२३||
Krishna now introduces the different paths a yogi may take after death—one leading to freedom from rebirth, and another leading back into the cycle of return. He is preparing Arjuna to understand that steady spiritual practice and remembrance of the Divine shape the soul’s ultimate direction.
अग्निर्जोतिरहः शुक्लः षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् | तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जनाः ||८-२४||
Krishna describes the luminous path taken by those who have realised Brahman and leave the body in full spiritual awareness. Fire, light, day, and the sun’s northward course symbolise a movement toward clarity and freedom; the deeper message is that a life steadily directed toward the Divine leads beyond the cycle of return.
धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्णः षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम् | तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते ||८-२५||
Krishna describes a path associated with ritual merit and worldly spirituality: the yogi reaches the lunar realm through it, but does not attain final liberation. After enjoying the results of their good deeds, they return to the cycle of rebirth. The verse reminds us to seek not only temporary rewards, but lasting union with the Divine.
शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते | एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुनः ||८-२६||
Krishna says there are two enduring courses after death: one leads to freedom from the cycle of rebirth, while the other leads back into it. In the wider teaching of this chapter, the point is not to create fear about death, but to encourage a life of steady remembrance, devotion, and inner direction toward the Divine.
नैते सृती पार्थ जानन्योगी मुह्यति कश्चन | तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु योगयुक्तो भवार्जुन ||८-२७||
Krishna says that a person who understands the spiritual paths described here is no longer confused about life, death, and what lies beyond. So do not wait for a final moment to turn inward—stay connected to God and grounded in spiritual practice throughout your life.
वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव दानेषु यत्पुण्यफलं प्रदिष्टम् | अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम् ||८-२८||
Krishna says that one who understands and lives this path of steady devotion to the Divine rises beyond the limited rewards promised by rituals, austerity, charity, or even scriptural study. Such a yogi reaches the eternal, highest abode—the source from which everything begins. The verse does not dismiss good deeds; it points to a deeper goal: loving union with God rather than temporary spiritual rewards.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे | ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ||९-१||
Krishna tells Arjuna that He is about to share the deepest spiritual truth with him because Arjuna listens without cynicism or fault-finding. This is not just information to know intellectually, but wisdom to experience personally; understanding it can free a person from the suffering and binding effects of worldly life.
राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् | प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं सुसुखं कर्तुमव्ययम् ||९-२||
Krishna says this spiritual wisdom is the highest knowledge and the deepest secret because it purifies the heart and can be experienced directly, not merely believed in. It follows the path of dharma, is joyful and practical to live by, and its benefit never fades away.
अश्रद्दधानाः पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप | अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि ||९-३||
Krishna says that without faith in this spiritual path, a person does not come to know or reach the Divine. They remain caught in the repeated cycle of worldly striving, death, and rebirth. This is not a call for blind belief, but an invitation to approach spiritual truth with sincerity and openness rather than rejecting it without trying to understand it.
मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना | मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि न चाहं तेष्ववस्थितः ||९-४||
Krishna says that His unseen divine presence pervades the whole universe. Every being depends on Him and exists within His sustaining reality, yet He is not limited, contained, or bound by any individual being or object. This invites us to see the sacred presence behind all life while remembering that God is far greater than the world we can perceive.
न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् | भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः ||९-५||
Krishna reveals a truth beyond ordinary logic: all beings depend on Him for their existence, yet He is not limited, contained, or affected by them. He sustains and brings forth the whole creation while remaining completely free and transcendent—this is the wonder of His divine power.
यथाकाशस्थितो नित्यं वायुः सर्वत्रगो महान् | तथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मत्स्थानीत्युपधारय ||९-६||
Krishna gives a simple image: the wind moves freely in every direction, yet it exists within the vast sky. In the same way, every living being exists within the Divine presence. We may feel separate and independent, but our life, strength, and existence are continually supported by God.
सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम् | कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम् ||९-७||
Krishna says that all beings return to His divine nature when a cosmic cycle ends, and He brings them forth again when a new cycle begins. Life and creation are part of a vast divine rhythm, reminding us that nothing in this world is permanent and that the Supreme remains present through every beginning and ending.
प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः | भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात् ||९-८||
Krishna says that through His divine power, the whole world of living beings comes into existence again and again. Bound by the laws of material nature, beings take birth and move through life’s cycles; this reminds us that creation is not random, but unfolds under a higher order.
न च मां तानि कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय | उदासीनवदासीनमसक्तं तेषु कर्मसु ||९-९||
Krishna says that although He oversees the workings of creation, He is not trapped or bound by those actions, because He remains unattached. The teaching for us is to do our responsibilities sincerely without becoming possessive about the results; when action is free from clinging, it does not become a source of inner bondage.
मयाध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम् | हेतुनानेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते ||९-१०||
Krishna says that Nature brings forth all living and non-living things, but it works under His guiding presence. The constantly changing cycle of creation, growth, decay, and renewal is not random; it unfolds within a larger divine order. Remembering this can help us see beyond our limited control and place greater trust in God’s wisdom.
अवजानन्ति मां मूढा मानुषीं तनुमाश्रितम् | परं भावमजानन्तो मम भूतमहेश्वरम् ||९-११||
Krishna says that people who judge only by outward appearances fail to recognise the divine when it comes close to them in a human form. Seeing only the ordinary surface, they overlook His true nature as the Supreme Lord who sustains all beings. The verse invites us to look beyond appearances and ego, with humility and deeper understanding.
महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः | भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम् ||९-१३||
Krishna says that noble souls take refuge in their higher, divine nature and turn to Him with undivided love. They understand that the Divine is the eternal source behind every living being, so their devotion is not casual—it becomes the steady centre of their thoughts and life.
सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः | नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ||९-१४||
True devotees keep their connection with God alive in every part of life. With steady effort, faith, humility, and loving remembrance, they worship Him not only through prayer but through a heart that remains devoted each day.
ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये यजन्तो मामुपासते | एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन बहुधा विश्वतोमुखम् ||९-१५||
People approach the Divine in different ways. Some meditate on the one all-pervading reality, some worship God as present in every distinct being, and some honour the many forms through which the Divine is expressed. Krishna teaches that sincere spiritual seeking can recognise the same Supreme Presence from these different perspectives.
अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम् | मन्त्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम् ||९-१६||
Krishna says that the Divine is present in every part of worship: the ritual, the prayer, the offerings, the fire, and even the one who offers. This reminds us that God is not limited to a temple or ceremony; when we act with sincerity and devotion, ordinary actions too can become an offering to the Divine.
पिताहमस्य जगतो माता धाता पितामहः | वेद्यं पवित्रमोंकार ऋक्साम यजुरेव च ||९-१७||
Krishna says that the Divine is not distant from life: He is the caring father and mother of the world, the one who sustains all beings and gives the results of their actions. He is also the deepest truth to be known, the sacred sound Om, and the wisdom expressed through the Vedas. This verse invites us to see God as the source, support, and guiding presence behind all of life.
गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत् | प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम् ||९-१८||
Krishna says that the Divine is present in every essential support of life: the destination we seek, the strength that sustains us, the home we belong to, and the refuge we can turn to. God is also the silent witness within all experiences—the source from which life arises, the ground on which it exists, and the imperishable seed that remains even when everything changes or ends. Remembering this can bring deep trust: we are never truly without support or a true well-wisher.
तपाम्यहमहं वर्षं निगृह्णाम्युत्सृजामि च | अमृतं चैव मृत्युश्च सदसच्चाहमर्जुन ||९-१९||
Krishna says that the forces of nature and the whole cycle of life are expressions of the Divine: the sun’s heat, the coming and withholding of rain, life’s continuity, and death’s ending. He is present in what appears and what disappears, reminding us that no phase of life is outside His larger order.
त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते | ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक- मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ||९-२०||
Krishna says that people who follow Vedic rituals and sacrifices seeking heaven may attain the heavenly world and enjoy its refined pleasures. But their aim is still a reward, not lasting union with God; the verse prepares us to look beyond temporary heavenly enjoyment toward loving devotion to the Divine.
ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति | एवं त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ||९-२१||
Those who seek heavenly pleasures through ritual and good deeds do enjoy their rewards, but only for as long as their accumulated merit lasts. When that merit is spent, they return to mortal life; chasing temporary desires keeps a person moving through this repeated cycle of coming and going rather than reaching lasting freedom.
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते | तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ||९-२२||
Krishna assures those who turn to Him with single-hearted devotion and keep their connection with Him alive: He takes care of what they truly need and protects what is already good and valuable in their lives. This is not a promise that life will have no difficulties; it is an invitation to let faith replace the constant burden of trying to control and secure everything alone.
येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः | तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् ||९-२३||
Krishna says that people who worship different deities with sincere faith are, in essence, also worshipping the one Supreme Reality. Yet when they see those deities as separate and ultimate, rather than recognising the Supreme behind all worship, their understanding remains incomplete. The verse honours sincere faith while pointing us towards a deeper sense of spiritual unity.
अहं हि सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्ता च प्रभुरेव च | न तु मामभिजानन्ति तत्त्वेनातश्च्यवन्ति ते ||९-२४||
Krishna says that every act of worship and sacrifice ultimately reaches Him, because He is both its true receiver and its supreme source. But when people focus only on rituals or limited goals without recognising this deeper truth, they remain bound to temporary results and the cycle of worldly return.
यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रताः | भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम् ||९-२५||
Krishna says that our worship shapes the goal we move toward: those devoted to particular gods or ancestral rites reach those respective realms, while those who worship the Supreme with devotion attain Him. The verse invites us to reflect on where we are placing our deepest faith and attention, because our inner commitment guides the direction of our life and spiritual journey.
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति | तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ||९-२६||
Krishna says that what matters most is not the size or cost of an offering, but the love and sincerity behind it. Even a simple leaf, flower, fruit, or a little water becomes precious when it is offered with a pure and devoted heart. True devotion is open to everyone, regardless of wealth or status.
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् | यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ||९-२७||
Krishna asks Arjuna to bring God into every part of daily life—not only prayer or worship. Whatever you do, eat, give, or practise with discipline, offer it inwardly to Him. This attitude turns ordinary actions into devotion and helps free the mind from ego, attachment, and the burden of constantly claiming, “This is all for me.”
शुभाशुभफलैरेवं मोक्ष्यसे कर्मबन्धनैः | संन्यासयोगयुक्तात्मा विमुक्तो मामुपैष्यसि ||९-२८||
When you offer your actions and their results to God instead of clinging to success or fearing failure, you are no longer trapped by the consequences of good or bad deeds. This spirit of inner renunciation frees the heart and gradually leads you closer to the Divine.
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः | ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ||९-२९||
God’s love and presence are equally available to every being; He does not play favourites or reject anyone. Yet when a person turns towards Him with sincere devotion, they begin to experience a close, living connection with Him—God dwells in their heart, and they live in God’s presence.
अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक् | साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः ||९-३०||
Even someone with a troubled past or seriously wrong habits can begin to change through wholehearted devotion to God. If their inner resolve has truly turned towards the right path, they should not be dismissed forever by their past; their sincere direction and transformation deserve to be recognised.
क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति | कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति ||९-३१||
A person who turns sincerely towards God does not remain trapped in their past mistakes. With genuine devotion, their character begins to change quickly, they move towards lasting inner peace, and Krishna assures Arjuna that a true devotee is never abandoned or spiritually lost.
मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः | स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम् ||९-३२||
Krishna says that no one is excluded from the path to the highest spiritual fulfilment. Whatever a person’s social position, past circumstances, or the labels society places on them, sincere refuge in God and loving devotion can lead them to the Supreme Goal. This verse affirms that spiritual worth is not limited by birth or status.
किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणाः पुण्या भक्ता राजर्षयस्तथा | अनित्यमसुखं लोकमिमं प्राप्य भजस्व माम् ||९-३३||
Krishna says that those who are already virtuous and devoted can certainly reach Him. But His message is for everyone: this worldly life is temporary and cannot give lasting happiness, so use this precious human life to turn towards God with loving devotion.
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु | मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः ||९-३४||
Keep your mind connected to Krishna, love Him with devotion, offer your worship and actions to Him, and bow with humility. When God becomes the centre and highest purpose of your life, your whole being is guided toward Him and you draw closer to spiritual freedom.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | भूय एव महाबाहो शृणु मे परमं वचः | यत्तेऽहं प्रीयमाणाय वक्ष्यामि हितकाम्यया ||१०-१||
Krishna lovingly invites Arjuna to listen once more, because what He is about to share is meant for Arjuna’s true good. Spiritual wisdom is not given to overwhelm us, but to guide and uplift us when we are ready to hear it with trust.
न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः | अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः ||१०-२||
Even the gods and great sages cannot fully grasp Krishna’s beginning, because He is not a being created within the universe—He is the ultimate source from which they too arise. This invites us to approach the Divine with humility, recognising that the highest reality is deeper than the limits of our intellect.
यो मामजमनादिं च वेत्ति लोकमहेश्वरम् | असम्मूढः स मर्त्येषु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ||१०-३||
Krishna says that a person who truly understands Him as eternal, unborn, and the supreme Lord guiding all worlds is no longer trapped in delusion. This clear understanding transforms the heart, helping one move beyond the ignorance and harmful tendencies that lead to wrongdoing.
बुद्धिर्ज्ञानमसम्मोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः | सुखं दुःखं भवोऽभावो भयं चाभयमेव च ||१०-४||
Krishna says that every kind of human experience and quality—clear thinking, wisdom, forgiveness, self-control, joy, sorrow, fear, courage, birth, and death—ultimately arises from Him. This helps us see life’s changing states with humility: our strengths are gifts to use well, and our difficult emotions are part of a larger divine order that we can face with awareness and faith.
अहिंसा समता तुष्टिस्तपो दानं यशोऽयशः | भवन्ति भावा भूतानां मत्त एव पृथग्विधाः ||१०-५||
Krishna says that the many qualities and experiences found in people—such as non-violence, balance, contentment, discipline, generosity, honour and dishonour—ultimately arise from Him. This reminds us to be humble about our strengths and steady when praise or criticism comes our way, seeing both as part of a larger divine order.
महर्षयः सप्त पूर्वे चत्वारो मनवस्तथा | मद्भावा मानसा जाता येषां लोक इमाः प्रजाः ||१०-६||
Krishna explains that even the great sages, the ancient creators, and the Manus—the guides of humanity—arose from His divine will. All beings in this world ultimately trace their origin back to Him, reminding us that creation is deeply connected to the Supreme source.
एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः | सोऽविकम्पेन योगेन युज्यते नात्र संशयः ||१०-७||
When you truly recognise the Divine presence and power working throughout the world, your faith stops being easily shaken. This understanding helps you stay steadily connected to God, even when life brings change, difficulty, or uncertainty.
अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते | इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विताः ||१०-८||
Krishna says that everything in creation arises from Him and is sustained by His power. When a person truly understands this, devotion becomes more than a ritual—it becomes a heartfelt response of gratitude, humility, and love toward the divine source behind all life.
मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा बोधयन्तः परस्परम् | कथयन्तश्च मां नित्यं तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च ||१०-९||
Those who keep their hearts and thoughts centred on Krishna find strength in one another. By sharing spiritual understanding and lovingly speaking about the Divine, they experience a deep contentment and joy that does not depend on outer circumstances.
तेषां सततयुक्तानां भजतां प्रीतिपूर्वकम् | ददामि बुद्धियोगं तं येन मामुपयान्ति ते ||१०-१०||
Krishna says that when people stay connected to Him with steady, loving devotion, He does not leave them to struggle alone. He gives them the inner clarity and wisdom to recognise the right path and gradually draw closer to Him.
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः | नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता ||१०-११||
When you turn to the Divine with sincere love and trust, Krishna says He does not leave you lost in doubt. From within your own heart, He compassionately lights the lamp of wisdom, clearing the ignorance and confusion that keep you from seeing the truth.
अर्जुन उवाच परं ब्रह्म परं धाम पवित्रं परमं भवान् | पुरुषं शाश्वतं दिव्यमादिदेवमजं विभुम् ||१०-१२||
Arjuna recognises Krishna as the ultimate reality: eternal, pure, divine, unborn, and present everywhere. This is not merely praise; it is Arjuna’s heartfelt acceptance that Krishna is the source and shelter of all existence, beyond the limits of time and birth.
आहुस्त्वामृषयः सर्वे देवर्षिर्नारदस्तथा | असितो देवलो व्यासः स्वयं चैव ब्रवीषि मे ||१०-१३||
Arjuna says that Krishna’s divine nature is not merely his personal belief. Great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa have all recognised and declared it, and Krishna Himself confirms it. His faith rests on both the wisdom of realised teachers and his own direct experience of Krishna.
सर्वमेतदृतं मन्ये यन्मां वदसि केशव | न हि ते भगवन्व्यक्तिं विदुर्देवा न दानवाः ||१०-१४||
Arjuna tells Krishna that he accepts His words as completely true. He recognises that Krishna’s divine reality is beyond the full understanding of even gods and powerful beings; it can be known only through Krishna’s own grace and revelation. This is Arjuna’s humble expression of faith, not blind belief.
स्वयमेवात्मनात्मानं वेत्थ त्वं पुरुषोत्तम | भूतभावन भूतेश देवदेव जगत्पते ||१०-१५||
Arjuna says that Krishna alone truly knows His own limitless divine nature. With deep reverence, he addresses Krishna as the source and Lord of all beings, the God of gods, and the ruler of the whole universe.
वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः | याभिर्विभूतिभिर्लोकानिमांस्त्वं व्याप्य तिष्ठसि ||१०-१६||
Arjuna asks Krishna to describe His divine manifestations in full—the ways His presence and power fill and sustain the whole universe. His request comes from devotion and a desire to recognise the Divine more deeply in the world around him.
कथं विद्यामहं योगिंस्त्वां सदा परिचिन्तयन् | केषु केषु च भावेषु चिन्त्योऽसि भगवन्मया ||१०-१७||
Arjuna asks Krishna how he can keep remembering and recognising the Divine in everyday life. He wants to know the forms, qualities, and situations through which he can contemplate God with a steady, loving mind.
विस्तरेणात्मनो योगं विभूतिं च जनार्दन | भूयः कथय तृप्तिर्हि शृण्वतो नास्ति मेऽमृतम् ||१०-१८||
Arjuna asks Krishna to speak further about His divine power and the many ways He is present in the world. Listening to this wisdom feels like nectar to him: the more he hears, the deeper his devotion and longing to understand become.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः | प्राधान्यतः कुरुश्रेष्ठ नास्त्यन्तो विस्तरस्य मे ||१०-१९||
Krishna tells Arjuna that He will now describe some of His most important divine manifestations. His presence and greatness can be seen throughout creation, but they are so vast that no complete description could ever capture them all.
अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थितः | अहमादिश्च मध्यं च भूतानामन्त एव च ||१०-२०||
Krishna says that the divine presence is not far away or limited to a temple—it lives within the heart of every being. He is the source from which all life begins, the power sustaining it through every stage, and the reality into which all beings ultimately return. Seeing this can bring humility, reverence, and a deeper sense of connection with everyone around us.
आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान् | मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी ||१०-२१||
Krishna points to the most radiant and life-giving presences in creation—the sun, the moon, Vishnu among the Adityas, and Marichi among the winds—and says that their excellence reflects Him. When we see greatness, beauty, light, or sustaining power in the world, we can remember the Divine source shining through it.
वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः | इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना ||१०-२२||
Krishna points to the finest and most powerful expressions in creation to help us recognise His presence everywhere. The mind that coordinates our senses and the awareness that makes living beings conscious are also divine gifts; remembering this can turn ordinary experience into reverence and devotion.
रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम् | वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरुः शिखरिणामहम् ||१०-२३||
Krishna says that wherever we see exceptional power, richness, purity, or greatness in the world, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. In Sankara, Kubera, fire, and Mount Meru, He points to the highest and most striking qualities within their respective groups, helping us recognise the sacred behind all true excellence.
पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ बृहस्पतिम् | सेनानीनामहं स्कन्दः सरसामस्मि सागरः ||१०-२४||
Krishna says that wherever wisdom guides leadership, courage leads from the front, or greatness appears vast and deep, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. Brihaspati represents the highest counsel, Skanda fearless command, and the ocean an immeasurable expanse—reminding us to recognise God in the finest qualities around us.
महर्षीणां भृगुरहं गिरामस्म्येकमक्षरम् | यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि स्थावराणां हिमालयः ||१०-२५||
Krishna points to the finest expressions of wisdom, sound, worship, and natural grandeur as signs of His presence: the sage Bhrigu, the sacred sound Om, the quiet discipline of mantra repetition, and the Himalayas. The verse reminds us that the Divine can be approached not only through grand rituals, but also through steady inner remembrance and reverence for what is महान and uplifting.
अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारदः | गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथः सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनिः ||१०-२६||
Krishna says that wherever there is exceptional beauty, wisdom, creativity, or spiritual attainment, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. The sacred Peepul tree, the sage Narada, the celestial musician Chitraratha, and the realised sage Kapila are examples of excellence that can remind us of the Divine.
उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम् | ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम् ||१०-२७||
Krishna says that wherever there is extraordinary excellence, strength, or leadership, it can be seen as a glimpse of His divine glory. Ucchaisravas among horses, Airavata among elephants, and a righteous king among people represent the finest and most powerful of their kind. This invites us to recognise God’s presence not only in temples, but also in greatness, dignity, and noble leadership in the world.
आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक् | प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः ||१०-२८||
Krishna says that wherever power, abundance, attraction, or striking excellence appears in its highest form, it reflects a glimpse of the Divine. The thunderbolt’s strength, Kamadhenu’s generosity, the creative force of love, and Vasuki’s greatness among serpents all point to God’s limitless presence in the world.
अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम् | पितॄणामर्यमा चास्मि यमः संयमतामहम् ||१०-२९||
Krishna points to the most revered and powerful beings in different realms—Ananta among the serpents, Varuna among water powers, Aryaman among the ancestors, and Yama among those who uphold discipline and justice. Wherever there is greatness that preserves order, responsibility, and self-control, it reflects a glimpse of the Divine.
प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम् | मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम् ||१०-३०||
Krishna says that wherever extraordinary courage, strength, order, or unwavering devotion appears, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. Prahlada’s faith stood firm even in a hostile family; time quietly measures and transforms everything; the lion represents majesty among animals, and Garuda represents power and freedom among birds. The verse invites us to recognise God’s greatness in the finest and most powerful expressions of creation.
पवनः पवतामस्मि रामः शस्त्रभृतामहम् | झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी ||१०-३१||
Krishna points to the finest and most powerful expressions in creation—the purifying wind, Rama’s righteous strength, the mighty shark, and the sacred Ganga. He invites us to recognise the Divine wherever we see purity, courage, excellence, strength, and a power that uplifts life.
सर्गाणामादिरन्तश्च मध्यं चैवाहमर्जुन | अध्यात्मविद्या विद्यानां वादः प्रवदतामहम् ||१०-३२||
Krishna says that He is present throughout every cycle of creation—from its beginning, through its unfolding, to its end. Among all forms of learning, He highlights self-knowledge as the highest, because understanding who we truly are gives direction to every other kind of knowledge. He is also the honest, truth-seeking dialogue that helps people move beyond argument and confusion.
अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्वः सामासिकस्य च | अहमेवाक्षयः कालो धाताहं विश्वतोमुखः ||१०-३३||
Krishna says that He is present in the basic patterns that hold the world together: the first sound of language, the harmony of paired words, and the endless flow of time. He is also the universal giver of the results of our actions, seeing every being and every effort from all directions. Nothing we do is lost or unseen in the larger order of life.
मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम् | कीर्तिः श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृतिः क्षमा ||१०-३४||
Krishna says that even death, which takes everything away, is part of His power, and that He is also the source from which all future life and beginnings arise. He can be recognised in noble qualities such as honour, prosperity, graceful speech, memory, intelligence, courage, and forgiveness—qualities that bring strength and dignity to human life.
बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम् | मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकरः ||१०-३५||
Krishna says that wherever there is something especially uplifting, beautiful, or life-giving, it can remind us of the Divine. Among sacred chants He is the majestic Brihatsaman, among poetic metres the Gayatri, among months Margashirsha, and among seasons the flower-filled spring. The verse invites us to recognise God’s presence in excellence, harmony, and the renewing beauty of nature.
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् | जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ||१०-३६||
Krishna says that the power and skill seen even in gambling and deception ultimately arise from Him, though this is not an approval of dishonest behaviour. He is the brilliance in the brilliant, the strength of firm resolve, the purity in virtuous people, and the power behind every true victory. See these highest qualities as reminders of the Divine, and use your own abilities with integrity and purpose.
वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जयः | मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः ||१०-३७||
Krishna says that wherever extraordinary wisdom, courage, insight, or creative brilliance appears, it reflects a glimpse of the Divine. By naming revered figures such as Vasudeva, Arjuna, Vyasa, and Ushanas, He teaches us to recognise God’s presence in the finest qualities expressed through human beings.
यच्चापि सर्वभूतानां बीजं तदहमर्जुन | न तदस्ति विना यत्स्यान्मया भूतं चराचरम् ||१०-३९||
Krishna says that He is the original seed—the source from which every living and non-living thing arises. Nothing in creation, whether it moves or stands still, exists independently of the Divine presence and power that sustains it.
नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परन्तप | एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया ||१०-४०||
Krishna tells Arjuna that His divine expressions are limitless; no list can fully describe them. The examples He has shared are only a small glimpse, meant to help us recognise the sacred greatness and presence of the Divine throughout the world.
यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा | तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसम्भवम् ||१०-४१||
Whenever you encounter extraordinary beauty, wisdom, success, strength, or greatness in anyone or anything, see it as a small spark of the Divine splendour. This vision helps us admire excellence without becoming jealous or arrogant, and reminds us that all true greatness ultimately has its source in God.
अथवा बहुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन | विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत् ||१०-४२||
Krishna tells Arjuna not to get lost in endless details about His greatness. Everything in this vast universe is sustained by just a small expression of the Divine; the full reality of God is far beyond what the mind can measure. This invites us to feel humility, wonder, and trust rather than trying to control everything through limited understanding.
अर्जुन उवाच मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम् | यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम ||११-१||
Arjuna tells Krishna that His teaching about the true Self has cleared away his confusion. What once felt overwhelming now makes sense to him, because Krishna’s guidance has helped him see beyond his limited fears and doubts.
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया | त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ||११-२||
Arjuna says that Krishna has already explained to him how all beings come into existence and pass away, as well as the Lord’s boundless greatness. With reverence, he acknowledges that Krishna is the eternal source behind the changing world.
एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर | द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ||११-३||
Arjuna accepts Krishna’s teaching about His supreme nature, but he longs for more than an intellectual understanding. With humility and devotion, he asks to directly behold Krishna’s divine, all-encompassing form—the reality that holds all of creation within it.
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो | योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् ||११-४||
Arjuna humbly asks Krishna to reveal His eternal, imperishable divine form—if Krishna considers him capable of seeing it. It is a prayer of devotion and surrender: Arjuna does not demand proof, but asks to be granted the vision and understanding needed to recognise the Lord’s true nature.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः | नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च ||११-५||
Krishna invites Arjuna to see the countless divine forms through which the Supreme reality is expressed. The world’s immense variety—its colours, shapes, beings and forces—is not separate from the Divine; it is part of a vast cosmic presence beyond ordinary understanding.
पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा | बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याश्चर्याणि भारत ||११-६||
Krishna invites Arjuna to see the many divine powers and wonders contained within His Universal Form—realities beyond anything Arjuna has witnessed before. The verse opens Arjuna’s vision to the vastness of creation and reminds us that the Divine is far greater than the limited picture we usually hold in our minds.
इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम् | मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद् द्रष्टुमिच्छसि ||११-७||
Krishna invites Arjuna to see that the whole universe—everything that moves and everything that is still—exists within His vast divine form. It is a reminder that life is not made of separate, isolated pieces; all creation is held together in the presence of the Supreme.
न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा | दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ||११-८||
Krishna tells Arjuna that ordinary human sight cannot grasp the vastness of the Divine. He grants Arjuna a higher vision, showing that to truly perceive the deeper reality of life, we need grace and an inner way of seeing beyond our limited senses and assumptions.
सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः | दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम् ||११-९||
Sanjaya tells King Dhritarashtra that after agreeing to Arjuna’s request, Krishna revealed His supreme Universal Form. This was not an ordinary sight, but a divine vision showing that the whole of creation exists within the Supreme Lord.
अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम् | अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम् ||११-१०||
Arjuna sees Krishna’s Universal Form as vast beyond imagination—countless faces and eyes, astonishing visions, divine ornaments, and weapons raised in power. The vision reveals that the Divine is not limited to one familiar form; it holds the beauty, strength, mystery, and immense power of all creation.
दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम् | सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम् ||११-११||
Arjuna sees Krishna’s Universal Form adorned with divine beauty and glory—beyond anything ordinary eyes can imagine. It is infinite, wondrous, and present in every direction, showing that the Divine is not limited to one form, place, or boundary.
दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता | यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः ||११-१२||
Arjuna sees Krishna’s Universal Form shining with a brilliance beyond anything ordinary eyes can imagine—like a thousand suns rising together in the sky. The image points to the limitless majesty and power of the Divine, which contains all of creation.
तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा | अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा ||११-१३||
Arjuna sees that the entire universe—with all its countless beings, worlds, and forms—exists within Krishna’s vast divine form. The vision reveals that what appears separate and scattered in life is ultimately held together in the one Supreme Reality.
ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः | प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत ||११-१४||
Overwhelmed by the vast divine vision before him, Arjuna feels awe so intense that his body trembles and his hair stands on end. With deep humility and reverence, he bows to Krishna and begins to speak with folded hands, recognising that he is in the presence of something far greater than himself.
अर्जुन उवाच पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे सर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान् | ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थ- मृषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान् ||११-१५||
Arjuna beholds Krishna’s universal form and sees that all of creation exists within it—gods, different beings, Brahma, sages, and divine celestial beings. The vision shows him that Krishna is not limited to one form; He contains and sustains the whole cosmos.
अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रं पश्यामि त्वां सर्वतोऽनन्तरूपम् | नान्तं न मध्यं न पुनस्तवादिं पश्यामि विश्वेश्वर विश्वरूप ||११-१६||
Arjuna sees Krishna’s Universal Form as limitless and present everywhere—filled with countless faces, eyes, arms, and forms of life. He cannot find its beginning, middle, or end, because the Divine is greater than anything the mind can measure or fully understand.
किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च तेजोराशिं सर्वतो दीप्तिमन्तम् | पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ताद् दीप्तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम् ||११-१७||
Arjuna beholds Krishna in His divine form, adorned with a crown and holding the mace and discus. Yet this is far beyond an ordinary vision of a deity: Krishna’s radiance fills every direction, blazing like fire and the sun, so vast and brilliant that the mind cannot fully grasp it or even gaze at it easily.
त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् | त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे ||११-१८||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s universal form, Arjuna recognises Him as the eternal reality behind everything that exists. He sees Krishna as the unchanging foundation of the universe, the guardian of dharma, and the timeless Supreme Person whom every seeker ultimately needs to know.
अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्य- मनन्तबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रम् | पश्यामि त्वां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रं स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम् ||११-१९||
Arjuna sees Krishna’s cosmic form as limitless—without a beginning, middle, or end, and filled with immeasurable power. With the sun and moon as His eyes and blazing fire as His mouth, this vision reveals the Divine presence that illumines, sustains, and overwhelms the whole universe.
द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि व्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः | दृष्ट्वाद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं लोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन् ||११-२०||
Arjuna sees that Krishna’s vast cosmic form fills everything—from earth to heaven and in every direction. Its beauty is beyond imagination, yet its overwhelming power is frightening; before this vision, all the worlds tremble in awe and fear.
अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति केचिद्भीताः प्राञ्जलयो गृणन्ति | स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाः स्तुवन्ति त्वां स्तुतिभिः पुष्कलाभिः ||११-२१||
Seeing Krishna’s vast Universal Form, even the gods are overwhelmed: some enter into Him, while others fold their hands and praise Him with awe and fear. Great sages and perfected beings pray for the welfare of all, recognising the Supreme presence that holds the whole universe.
रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या विश्वेऽश्विनौ मरुतश्चोष्मपाश्च | गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसङ्घा वीक्षन्ते त्वां विस्मिताश्चैव सर्वे ||११-२२||
Arjuna sees that every kind of celestial being—gods, ancestors, sages, and other powerful beings—is gazing at Krishna’s Universal Form in awe. Even those believed to possess great power and wisdom are astonished before the limitless reality of the Divine.
रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम् | बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम् ||११-२३||
Seeing Krishna’s vast Cosmic Form—with countless faces, eyes, arms, and terrifying teeth—Arjuna is overwhelmed. He realises that this divine reality is far greater and more frightening than anything the human mind can easily comprehend; not only he, but all beings seem shaken by it.
नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं व्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम् | दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा धृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो ||११-२४||
Arjuna sees Krishna’s vast Cosmic Form—radiant, limitless, and overwhelming, stretching to the sky with blazing eyes and open mouths. The vision is so immense that it shakes him deeply; he cannot find steadiness or inner peace. The verse acknowledges that when we encounter something far greater than our understanding, it can inspire awe but also bring fear and emotional overwhelm.
दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि दृष्ट्वैव कालानलसन्निभानि | दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्म प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ||११-२५||
Seeing Krishna’s vast, terrifying faces with their fierce teeth, like the fire that ends an age, Arjuna is overwhelmed. He loses his sense of direction and peace, and can only humbly ask the Lord—the home of the whole universe—for mercy and reassurance.
अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः सर्वे सहैवावनिपालसङ्घैः | भीष्मो द्रोणः सूतपुत्रस्तथासौ सहास्मदीयैरपि योधमुख्यैः ||११-२६||
In Krishna’s vast cosmic form, Arjuna sees not only the opposing army but also revered elders and the finest warriors from his own side. The vision makes him realise that every person on the battlefield—friend, teacher, relative, or rival—is part of a larger divine order beyond individual control.
यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः समुद्रमेवाभिमुखा द्रवन्ति | तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति ||११-२८||
Arjuna sees mighty warriors rushing into Krishna’s blazing mouths as naturally and irresistibly as rivers flow towards the sea. The vision reveals the unstoppable movement of time and destiny: even the greatest human strength ultimately returns to the Supreme.
यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः | तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोकास्- तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः ||११-२९||
Arjuna sees warriors rushing into Krishna’s blazing mouths like moths flying straight into a flame. The vision reveals the unstoppable force of time and destiny: all beings move toward death, and even great human power cannot finally resist the cosmic order.
लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ताल्- लोकान्समग्रान्वदनैर्ज्वलद्भिः | तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रं भासस्तवोग्राः प्रतपन्ति विष्णो ||११-३०||
Arjuna sees the overwhelming power of Krishna’s cosmic form: blazing mouths seem to consume all worlds, while its fierce radiance fills and scorches everything. The vision reveals that the Divine is not only gentle and sustaining, but also the immense force through which all creation changes, ends, and is renewed.
आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद | विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम् ||११-३१||
Overwhelmed by the fierce cosmic form before him, Arjuna bows with humility and asks Krishna to reveal who He truly is and what purpose lies behind this overwhelming power. It is a moment of fear mixed with devotion: when we cannot understand what life is showing us, we can still seek clarity with reverence and an open heart.
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम् | मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ||११-३३||
Krishna asks Arjuna to rise and do his duty without being paralysed by fear or the burden of believing that everything depends only on him. The larger course of events is already held within the Divine plan; Arjuna’s role is to act courageously, skilfully, and responsibly as an instrument of that higher purpose.
सञ्जय उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी | नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं सगद्गदं भीतभीतः प्रणम्य ||११-३५||
Sanjaya describes Arjuna’s response after hearing Krishna and witnessing His vast cosmic form. Overwhelmed by awe and fear, Arjuna trembles, folds his hands, bows deeply, and speaks again in a choked voice. The moment shows how a direct encounter with the divine can dissolve pride and leave the heart humble, reverent, and speechless.
अर्जुन उवाच स्थाने हृषीकेश तव प्रकीर्त्या जगत्प्रहृष्यत्यनुरज्यते च | रक्षांसि भीतानि दिशो द्रवन्ति सर्वे नमस्यन्ति च सिद्धसङ्घाः ||११-३६||
Arjuna says that Krishna’s glory naturally fills the good-hearted with joy and loving devotion. At the same time, destructive forces are shaken and flee in fear, while enlightened beings bow before Him with reverence. Seeing the Universal Form, Arjuna understands why all of creation responds to the Divine with awe.
कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन् गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे | अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास त्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत् ||११-३७||
Arjuna says that every being naturally bows before Krishna, because He is the infinite source behind even Brahma, the creator. He is the foundation of the whole universe—present in all that exists, beyond what we can see or name, and eternal beyond change and destruction.
त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्- त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् | वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ||११-३८||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s cosmic form, Arjuna recognises Him as the eternal source and shelter of all creation. He sees that the Divine is not separate from the universe: God is the one who knows all, the ultimate truth to be known, and the presence that fills everything in countless forms.
वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च | नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते ||११-३९||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s universal form, Arjuna recognises Him as the power behind every force of nature and every divine being—life, death, fire, water, the moon, and creation itself. Realising this vastness, he bows again and again with deep humility, devotion, and awe.
नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व | अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः ||११-४०||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s universal form, Arjuna bows in every direction. He recognises that the Divine has limitless strength, reaches through all of creation, and is not separate from anything that exists. This vision fills him with deep humility and devotion.
सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति | अजानता महिमानं तवेदं मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि ||११-४१||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s divine, cosmic form, Arjuna remembers how casually he had spoken to Him as “Krishna,” “Yadava,” or simply “my friend.” He humbly asks forgiveness for any disrespect caused by familiarity, carelessness, or affectionate closeness, because he had not yet understood Krishna’s true greatness.
यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु | एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम् ||११-४२||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s universal form, Arjuna remembers the times he treated Him casually as a friend—joking, resting, eating, or spending time together. Realising Krishna’s immeasurable divinity, he humbly asks forgiveness for any disrespect, whether in private or before others. The verse reminds us that sincere repentance and humility can deepen devotion and heal the mistakes we make in relationships.
पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान् | न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव ||११-४३||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s universal form, Arjuna recognises Him as the source and guardian of all creation—everything that moves and everything that does not. He bows to Krishna as the highest teacher and declares that no one in any world can equal or surpass the Divine’s incomparable power.
तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं प्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीड्यम् | पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः प्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम् ||११-४४||
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s vast divine form, Arjuna bows completely and asks forgiveness for any disrespect he may have shown in the familiarity of friendship. He trusts that God’s love is compassionate—like a father toward a child, a true friend toward a friend, or a beloved toward the one they love.
अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा भयेन च प्रव्यथितं मनो मे | तदेव मे दर्शय देव रूपं प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ||११-४५||
Arjuna is overwhelmed by Krishna’s vast cosmic form. He feels awe and joy at witnessing something beyond imagination, but the terrifying scale of it also fills him with fear. He lovingly asks Krishna to return to His familiar, gentle form, reminding us that even in deep spiritual experiences, it is natural to seek comfort, grace, and closeness with God.
किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्तं इच्छामि त्वां द्रष्टुमहं तथैव | तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेन सहस्रबाहो भव विश्वमूर्ते ||११-४६||
Overwhelmed by the vast and awe-inspiring Cosmic Form, Arjuna asks Krishna to return to the familiar four-armed form, wearing a crown and holding the mace and discus. His request shows that while the divine can be infinite and beyond understanding, the heart often finds comfort in a loving, personal form of God.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदं रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात् | तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं यन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम् ||११-४७||
Krishna tells Arjuna that this radiant, infinite Universal Form was revealed to him through Krishna’s grace and divine power. It is a rare vision of the source and wholeness of all existence—something beyond ordinary human sight or achievement.
न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्- न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः | एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ||११-४८||
Krishna tells Arjuna that this overwhelming vision of His universal form cannot be attained merely through scholarship, rituals, charity, or even harsh austerities. Arjuna has seen it because of a special divine grace and the unique bond of devotion between him and Krishna—not simply through human effort or religious achievement.
मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम् | व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ||११-४९||
Krishna reassures Arjuna after revealing His overwhelming cosmic form: do not be frightened or confused by what you have seen. Let go of fear, steady your heart, and look again at His familiar, loving form. Even when life reveals something vast or unsettling, divine support can bring the mind back to peace.
सञ्जय उवाच इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वा स्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः | आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनं भूत्वा पुनः सौम्यवपुर्महात्मा ||११-५०||
After revealing the overwhelming Cosmic Form, Krishna returns to His familiar, gentle form and comforts the frightened Arjuna. The verse shows that the Divine is not only vast and powerful beyond imagination, but also compassionate—meeting a fearful heart with reassurance and calm.
अर्जुन उवाच दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तव सौम्यं जनार्दन | इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः ||११-५१||
After witnessing Krishna’s overwhelming Cosmic Form, Arjuna feels frightened and shaken. When Krishna returns to His gentle, familiar human form, Arjuna’s mind becomes calm again. He feels grounded, conscious, and able to be himself once more.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम | देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः ||११-५२||
Krishna tells Arjuna that the divine Universal Form he has witnessed is extraordinarily rare and difficult to behold. Even the gods long to see this vision, reminding Arjuna that this experience is not the result of ordinary sight, but of divine grace and deep devotion.
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया | शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ||११-५३||
Krishna tells Arjuna that this overwhelming vision of His universal form cannot be gained merely through studying sacred texts, severe self-denial, charity, or rituals. Such practices have value, but the deepest experience of the Divine comes through His grace and a heart ready to receive it.
भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन | ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप ||११-५४||
Krishna tells Arjuna that His deepest reality cannot be understood merely through intellect, rituals, or outward observation. It is revealed through exclusive, wholehearted devotion—a love and trust that keeps returning to the Divine. Through such devotion, one can truly know Him, experience His presence, and become united with Him.
मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः | निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव ||११-५५||
Krishna says that the way to reach Him is to make your work an offering, keep Him as your highest goal, and live with sincere devotion. Let go of selfish clinging and hostility towards anyone; when your heart holds goodwill for all beings, your actions become a path to the Divine.
अर्जुन उवाच एवं सततयुक्ता ये भक्तास्त्वां पर्युपासते | ये चाप्यक्षरमव्यक्तं तेषां के योगवित्तमाः ||१२-१||
Arjuna asks an important question about two spiritual paths: loving devotion to a personal form of God, and meditation on the formless, unchanging absolute reality. He wants to know which path leads to a deeper understanding of yoga and is more suitable for spiritual growth.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते | श्रद्धया परयोपेताः ते मे युक्ततमा मताः ||१२-२||
Krishna says that the highest kind of spiritual connection is to keep the mind lovingly focused on God, remain steady in that relationship, and worship with deep trust. It is not only about rituals or knowledge; sincere faith and a heart that returns to the Divine again and again are what make devotion powerful.
ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते | सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यञ्च कूटस्थमचलन्ध्रुवम् ||१२-३||
Some seekers worship the eternal, formless Reality—the Divine that cannot be pointed to, fully described, or grasped by the mind. It is present everywhere, unchanging and steady, beyond all that comes and goes in the world.
सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः | ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः ||१२-४||
Those who discipline their senses, stay balanced in every situation, and sincerely work for the good of all beings also reach the Divine. Spiritual growth is not only about personal meditation; it is reflected in self-control, an even mind, and compassion in the way we live with others.
क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम् | अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते ||१२-५||
For most people living in a body and engaging with the world through the senses, focusing only on the formless, unmanifest Absolute is a difficult spiritual path. Krishna is not dismissing it, but acknowledging that devotion to a personal, relatable form of the Divine can offer the heart a more accessible way to grow spiritually.
ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः | अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ||१२-६||
Krishna speaks of those who make God the centre of their lives. They continue to act in the world, but offer their work and its results to Him, keeping their mind lovingly focused on Him rather than being pulled in many directions. This single-hearted devotion turns everyday action into worship.
तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात् | भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम् ||१२-७||
Krishna assures Arjuna that those who place their heart and mind in Him are not left to struggle alone in the endless cycle of fear, suffering, and death. He personally guides them across this vast ocean of worldly existence and brings them to freedom without delay.
मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय | निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः ||१२-८||
Krishna asks you to turn both your heart and your understanding toward Him. When love, attention, and clear thinking are anchored in the Divine, you begin to live with a deeper sense of connection and inner belonging, free from doubt about your spiritual direction.
अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् | अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय ||१२-९||
If keeping your mind steadily focused on God feels difficult, do not be discouraged. Keep returning to Him through regular practice—prayer, remembrance, meditation, or sincere service—and gradually your mind will grow closer and more settled in Him.
अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव | मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ||१२-१०||
If sustained meditation feels beyond you right now, do not lose heart. Make your everyday work an offering to God: do it sincerely, with the intention of serving something higher than personal gain. This devoted attitude gradually purifies the mind and leads you towards spiritual fulfilment.
अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः | सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् ||१२-११||
If you cannot yet practise steady devotion or keep your mind constantly focused on God, begin with something more practical: do your work sincerely, but let go of your attachment to the results. Make the effort with self-control, without allowing success, failure, praise, or reward to control your inner peace.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च | निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ||१२-१३||
A person dear to God does not carry hatred toward anyone. They meet people with friendship and compassion, do not cling to possessions or inflate their own importance, and remain steady through both comfort and difficulty. Their inner strength also shows in their willingness to forgive.
सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः | मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ||१२-१४||
Krishna says that a beloved devotee is not dependent on changing circumstances for happiness. Such a person stays inwardly content, disciplined, and steady in their purpose, offering both their feelings and their understanding to God. Devotion here is not just emotion—it is a firm decision to live with trust, self-control, and remembrance of the Divine.
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः | हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ||१२-१५||
Krishna says that a beloved devotee neither disturbs others nor is easily shaken by the behaviour and opinions of the world. Free from emotional extremes such as excitement, resentment, fear, and inner agitation, such a person carries a calm, steady presence and becomes a source of peace for those around them.
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः | सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ||१२-१६||
Krishna says that a devotee dear to Him is not driven by constant expectations or personal gain. Such a person stays inwardly clean, capable in action, and steady through discomfort, without getting entangled in unnecessary projects born from ego or craving. Their devotion makes them calm, responsible, and free from restless chasing.
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति | शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः ||१२-१७||
A devotee dear to Krishna is not pulled around by every success or disappointment. Such a person does not cling to pleasant outcomes, hate difficult ones, grieve endlessly over what has passed, or crave what is missing. Letting go of the ego’s labels of “good for me” and “bad for me,” they remain steady and loving in devotion to God.
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः | शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ||१२-१८||
A beloved devotee remains steady whether facing an enemy or a friend, praise or insult, comfort or hardship. They do not let changing situations pull them into attachment, resentment, or emotional extremes; their inner balance rests in devotion to God.
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् | अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः ||१२-१९||
The devotee dear to Krishna is not carried away by praise or wounded by criticism. They speak thoughtfully, remain content with what comes, do not cling to any place or possession as their ultimate security, and keep their mind steady in devotion. This is not withdrawal from life; it is inner freedom from the need for approval and constant comfort.
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते | श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ||१२-२०||
Krishna says that those who live by this life-giving path of dharma, with sincere faith and God as their highest aim, are especially dear to Him. Devotion is not only about rituals or words; it is about steadily shaping one’s conduct, choices, and heart around the values He has taught.
अर्जुन उवाच प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव च | एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं च केशव ||१३-१||
Arjuna begins by asking the deeper questions behind human life: What is this body and material world, who is the conscious self living within it, what is true knowledge, and what is ultimately worth knowing? His question invites us to look beyond our changing circumstances and understand who we really are.
क्षेत्रज्ञं चापि मां विद्धि सर्वक्षेत्रेषु भारत | क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोर्ज्ञानं यत्तज्ज्ञानं मतं मम ||१३-३||
Krishna says that the body and mind are like a field where experiences, thoughts, and actions arise, while the soul is the one aware of them. Yet within every being, the Supreme Consciousness—God—is also present as the ultimate knower. True wisdom is to understand both: the changing body-mind and the unchanging divine presence within all.
अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् | आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रहः ||१३-८||
Krishna says that real wisdom begins with character: being humble rather than showy, causing no harm, forgiving others, and staying honest and straightforward. It grows through respect for a true teacher, inner and outer cleanliness, steadiness in practice, and the ability to govern one’s own impulses.
मयि चानन्ययोगेन भक्तिरव्यभिचारिणी | विविक्तदेशसेवित्वमरतिर्जनसंसदि ||१३-११||
True spiritual understanding grows through steady, wholehearted devotion to God—not a faith that changes with convenience or circumstance. It is also supported by making time for quiet reflection and not becoming overly absorbed in crowds, noise, or constant social approval.
ज्ञेयं यत्तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वामृतमश्नुते | अनादिमत्परं ब्रह्म न सत्तन्नासदुच्यते ||१३-१३||
Krishna now speaks of the highest truth worth knowing: the beginningless Supreme Reality, Brahman. Realising this truth frees us from the fear of mortality and brings the experience of the eternal. It cannot be fully described as simply existing or not existing, because it is beyond all the limited categories through which our mind understands the world.
सर्वतः पाणिपादं तत्सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखम् | सर्वतः श्रुतिमल्लोके सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठति ||१३-१४||
The Supreme Being is present everywhere and works through every hand, foot, eye, mouth, and ear in the world. This does not mean God has a physical body spread across space; it means nothing exists outside the Divine presence, which sees, hears, and sustains all.
सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् | असक्तं सर्वभृच्चैव निर्गुणं गुणभोक्तृ च ||१३-१५||
The Supreme Reality works through every power of seeing, hearing, thinking, and acting in all beings, yet it is not limited by any physical senses or body. It supports the whole world without being attached to it, remains beyond the changing qualities of nature, and still knows every experience that those qualities create.
बहिरन्तश्च भूतानामचरं चरमेव च | सूक्ष्मत्वात्तदविज्ञेयं दूरस्थं चान्तिके च तत् ||१३-१६||
The Supreme Reality is present both within every being and throughout the world outside us. It is the stillness behind what does not move and the life within all that moves. Because it is so subtle, the mind cannot easily grasp it; yet it is closer than our own breath and also beyond everything we can imagine.
अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् | भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ||१३-१७||
The Supreme Reality is one and whole, yet it appears to be present separately in every living being. It sustains all life, and through the cycles of nature it is seen as that which absorbs beings at dissolution and brings them forth again in creation.
ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमसः परमुच्यते | ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम् ||१३-१८||
The Supreme Reality is the source of every kind of light, yet it is beyond all physical darkness and illumination. It is the wisdom we seek, the truth to be known, and the destination of true understanding—and it quietly lives in the heart of every being.
इति क्षेत्रं तथा ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं चोक्तं समासतः | मद्भक्त एतद्विज्ञाय मद्भावायोपपद्यते ||१३-१९||
Krishna concludes that he has briefly explained the body and mind as the “field,” the true understanding needed to see clearly, and the Supreme Reality to be known. A devotee who truly grasps this—who sees that they are more than the changing body and connects with the Divine—becomes fit to attain God’s own nature and closeness.
उपद्रष्टानुमन्ता च भर्ता भोक्ता महेश्वरः | परमात्मेति चाप्युक्तो देहेऽस्मिन्पुरुषः परः ||१३-२३||
Within every body, the Supreme Self is present as a silent witness to our thoughts and actions, the one who permits, sustains, and ultimately governs all life. Though we experience the results of our choices, God remains the highest presence within us—supporting us and inviting us to recognise our deeper spiritual nature.
अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्तः श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते | तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणाः ||१३-२६||
Not everyone reaches spiritual understanding through deep study or meditation. Some simply listen with faith to the guidance of wise people and sincerely live by it. Krishna says that such wholehearted trust and devotion can also lead a person beyond the fear and bondage of death.
यावत्सञ्जायते किञ्चित्सत्त्वं स्थावरजङ्गमम् | क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञसंयोगात्तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ ||१३-२७||
Every living being—whether a plant standing still or an animal moving about—comes into existence through the meeting of the physical body and the conscious soul that knows and experiences it. This understanding helps us see that life is more than the body alone; the same spiritual presence exists within all forms of life.
समं सर्वेषु भूतेषु तिष्ठन्तं परमेश्वरम् | विनश्यत्स्वविनश्यन्तं यः पश्यति स पश्यति ||१३-२८||
True understanding is to recognise the same Supreme Presence in every living being. Bodies and outer forms perish, but the Divine reality within them does not; seeing this helps us look beyond differences and treat all life with deeper respect.
समं पश्यन्हि सर्वत्र समवस्थितमीश्वरम् | न हिनस्त्यात्मनात्मानं ततो याति परां गतिम् ||१३-२९||
When you recognise that the same Divine presence lives equally in every being, you stop harming yourself or others through hatred, cruelty, and separation. This vision leads beyond selfishness and toward the highest spiritual freedom.
यदा भूतपृथग्भावमेकस्थमनुपश्यति | तत एव च विस्तारं ब्रह्म सम्पद्यते तदा ||१३-३१||
When you truly see that all the many forms of life arise from one Divine reality and remain connected to it, separateness begins to fall away. This vision replaces division, superiority, and isolation with a deep awareness of unity, leading one toward the realization of Brahman.
यथा प्रकाशयत्येकः कृत्स्नं लोकमिमं रविः | क्षेत्रं क्षेत्री तथा कृत्स्नं प्रकाशयति भारत ||१३-३४||
Just as one sun lights up the entire world, the conscious Self within us lights up the whole field of our body, mind, senses, and experiences. This verse reminds us that beneath all changing thoughts and circumstances is the steady awareness that makes them known.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | परं भूयः प्रवक्ष्यामि ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम् | यज्ज्ञात्वा मुनयः सर्वे परां सिद्धिमितो गताः ||१४-१||
Krishna says he will now share an even higher wisdom: the knowledge that helps us understand the forces shaping our thoughts, behaviour, and life. Sages who truly understood it rose beyond ordinary worldly limitations and attained the highest spiritual fulfilment.
इदं ज्ञानमुपाश्रित्य मम साधर्म्यमागताः | सर्गेऽपि नोपजायन्ते प्रलये न व्यथन्ति च ||१४-२||
Krishna says that those who take shelter in this spiritual wisdom rise beyond the changing forces of material nature and come to share in His divine state. They are no longer shaken by the cycle of creation and dissolution, because their identity is rooted in the eternal, not in what is born and passes away.
मम योनिर्महद् ब्रह्म तस्मिन्गर्भं दधाम्यहम् | सम्भवः सर्वभूतानां ततो भवति भारत ||१४-३||
Krishna says that the vast field of material nature is the womb from which all living beings take birth, while He is the divine source that places the seed of life within it. The verse reminds us that every form of life ultimately arises through the union of God’s sustaining power and nature.
सर्वयोनिषु कौन्तेय मूर्तयः सम्भवन्ति याः | तासां ब्रह्म महद्योनिरहं बीजप्रदः पिता ||१४-४||
Krishna says that all living beings, in every kind of body and birth, arise from the same divine source. Material nature provides the womb in which bodies take form, while God is the seed-giving Father. This reminds us that beneath our outward differences, all life is connected and sacred.
यदा सत्त्वे प्रवृद्धे तु प्रलयं याति देहभृत् | तदोत्तमविदां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते ||१४-१४||
Krishna says that when a person leaves the body while the quality of sattva—clarity, harmony, and goodness—is strong within them, they move towards pure and elevated realms associated with those who know the Highest Truth. The verse encourages us to shape our inner life through wisdom, kindness, self-control, and a sincere search for what is true.
नान्यं गुणेभ्यः कर्तारं यदा द्रष्टानुपश्यति | गुणेभ्यश्च परं वेत्ति मद्भावं सोऽधिगच्छति ||१४-१९||
When you clearly see that your changing thoughts, emotions, and actions are shaped by the three gunas of nature, you stop treating the restless ego as the sole doer. By also recognising the Self—the divine reality beyond these changing qualities—you begin to rise above their hold and move towards union with God.
गुणानेतानतीत्य त्रीन्देही देहसमुद्भवान् | जन्ममृत्युजरादुःखैर्विमुक्तोऽमृतमश्नुते ||१४-२०||
When we rise above the pull of the three gunas—calm goodness, restless desire, and dull inertia—we stop being trapped by the changing conditions of the body and mind. Freed from the suffering tied to birth, ageing and death, the soul realizes its immortal nature.
अर्जुन उवाच कैर्लिङ्गैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो भवति प्रभो | किमाचारः कथं चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते ||१४-२१||
Arjuna asks Krishna how to recognise a person who has risen above the constant pull of goodness, restlessness, and inertia. He also wants to know how such a person lives in the world and what path helps one move beyond these three forces of nature.
मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण भक्तियोगेन सेवते | स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान्ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||१४-२६||
A person who serves God with steady, wholehearted devotion rises above the constant pull of the three gunas—restlessness, attachment, dullness, and even limited goodness. Such devotion makes them ready to realise their deeper spiritual nature and attain union with Brahman.
ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च | शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च ||१४-२७||
Krishna says that He is the ultimate foundation of the eternal reality: immortality, unchanging truth, righteous living, and complete lasting joy all rest in Him. After describing how to rise above the changing pulls of the three gunas, He points to devotion to God as the secure ground from which a person can find freedom and deep peace.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् | छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् ||१५-१||
Krishna describes worldly life as an upside-down sacred tree: its root is in the higher divine reality, while its branches spread downward into the changing world of actions, desires, and attachments. Its leaves are the Vedic hymns that nourish and explain this tree. To truly understand this image is to see both the world’s divine source and the way we can become entangled in it.
अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः | अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके ||१५-२||
Krishna compares worldly life to a vast tree whose branches spread in every direction. The three gunas—our tendencies toward clarity, restlessness, and inertia—keep this tree growing, while pleasures of the senses tempt us like fresh buds. Our actions and their consequences become roots that bind us more deeply to the cycle of worldly attachment.
न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा | अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलं असङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ||१५-३||
The web of worldly life is so vast and tangled that we cannot fully trace where it begins, where it ends, or what keeps it standing. Its attachments run deep, so Krishna asks us to cut through them with the firm inner discipline of non-attachment—not by abandoning life, but by refusing to let possessions, desires, and relationships bind our peace and identity.
ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यं यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूयः | तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये | यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी ||१५-४||
Once we recognise how deeply we are entangled in worldly attachments, we should seek the highest spiritual destination—the state from which there is no return to suffering and repeated bondage. Krishna asks us to take refuge in the eternal Supreme Being, the original source from whom this ancient flow of life and creation has emerged.
निर्मानमोहा जितसङ्गदोषा अध्यात्मनित्या विनिवृत्तकामाः | द्वन्द्वैर्विमुक्ताः सुखदुःखसंज्ञैर्- गच्छन्त्यमूढाः पदमव्ययं तत् ||१५-५||
Those who let go of ego, confusion, and unhealthy attachment become inwardly steady. By turning away from endless cravings and not being shaken by pleasure or pain, they see life clearly and move towards the eternal Divine reality.
न तद्भासयते सूर्यो न शशाङ्को न पावकः | यद्गत्वा न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम ||१५-६||
Krishna describes His highest abode as a reality beyond all material light—the sun, moon, and fire are not needed there. Reaching that divine state means freedom from the repeated cycle of birth and death, and lasting union with the Supreme.
ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः | मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति ||१५-७||
Krishna says that every living being carries an eternal spark of the Divine within. Yet, while living in the material world, the soul becomes involved with the mind and five senses, which pull it toward worldly experiences and attachments. Remembering our spiritual nature can help us rise above this constant tug of desires and distractions.
शरीरं यदवाप्नोति यच्चाप्युत्क्रामतीश्वरः | गृहीत्वैतानि संयाति वायुर्गन्धानिवाशयात् ||१५-८||
The soul does not end when the body dies. As it leaves one body and enters another, it carries the mind and senses’ tendencies with it—just as the wind carries a fragrance away from a flower. This reminds us that our inner habits and attachments shape our journey beyond this present life.
उत्क्रामन्तं स्थितं वापि भुञ्जानं वा गुणान्वितम् | विमूढा नानुपश्यन्ति पश्यन्ति ज्ञानचक्षुषः ||१५-१०||
Most people notice only the body and its outward actions, not the conscious self within it. Whether the soul leaves a body, remains in it, or experiences life through the senses and the three qualities of nature, it is not easily recognised. Those who cultivate inner wisdom learn to see this deeper reality beyond appearances.
यतन्तो योगिनश्चैनं पश्यन्त्यात्मन्यवस्थितम् | यतन्तोऽप्यकृतात्मानो नैनं पश्यन्त्यचेतसः ||१५-११||
Those who sincerely discipline their mind and deepen their spiritual practice begin to recognise the Divine presence within themselves. But simply making effort is not enough: when the mind is scattered, immature, or ruled by impulses, this inner truth remains unseen. Real understanding grows through self-purification, steady attention, and inner awareness.
यदादित्यगतं तेजो जगद्भासयतेऽखिलम् | यच्चन्द्रमसि यच्चाग्नौ तत्तेजो विद्धि मामकम् ||१५-१२||
Krishna says that the light shining through the sun, moon, and fire is an expression of His divine presence. The brilliance and order we see in nature are not separate from the Divine; they remind us that God quietly sustains and illuminates the whole world.
गामाविश्य च भूतानि धारयाम्यहमोजसा | पुष्णामि चौषधीः सर्वाः सोमो भूत्वा रसात्मकः ||१५-१३||
Krishna says that the same Divine presence quietly sustains life everywhere: it holds the earth and all living beings in place, and nourishes plants through the moon’s cooling, life-giving influence. Seeing this can awaken gratitude—our food, strength, and survival are not merely personal achievements, but are supported by a deeper divine order.
अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः | प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम् ||१५-१४||
Krishna says that the divine is present even in the body’s most ordinary process: digestion. As the inner vital fire, working with the breath, He transforms the food we eat into nourishment. This is a reminder that our life and strength are not entirely self-created; they are sustained each moment by a deeper divine presence.
सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो मत्तः स्मृतिर्ज्ञानमपोहनञ्च | वेदैश्च सर्वैरहमेव वेद्यो वेदान्तकृद्वेदविदेव चाहम् ||१५-१५||
Krishna says that the Divine dwells within every heart and is the source of our ability to remember, understand, and even forget. The deepest purpose of all true learning and spiritual study is to recognise and know this Divine reality, which is both the source and the knower of all wisdom.
उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युधाहृतः | यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः ||१५-१७||
Beyond the changing body and the individual soul is the Supreme Self—God, the eternal Lord. Present throughout all realms, He sustains the whole universe without ever diminishing or being affected by its changes. Remembering this can help us place our trust in something steady and divine amid life’s uncertainty.
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः | अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ||१५-१८||
Krishna says that He is beyond both the changing material world and even the individual imperishable soul. As the Supreme Person, He is the ultimate source, support, and reality behind all that exists. Recognising this helps us look beyond temporary identities and place our trust in the Divine.
यो मामेवमसम्मूढो जानाति पुरुषोत्तमम् | स सर्वविद्भजति मां सर्वभावेन भारत ||१५-१९||
When we clearly understand Krishna as the Supreme Divine Reality, beyond the changing world and yet present within it, confusion begins to fall away. Such understanding is not merely intellectual: it naturally leads a person to love, trust, and worship Him wholeheartedly, with their entire life.
इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयानघ | एतद्बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत ||१५-२०||
Krishna closes this teaching by saying that understanding the Supreme Reality is the deepest wisdom. When a person truly recognises God as the highest truth and lives with that awareness, their understanding becomes clear and life finds its real fulfilment; they no longer feel that something essential is missing.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः | दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् ||१६-१||
Krishna begins by naming the qualities that build a noble and spiritually strong character: courage, a clean heart, commitment to wisdom, generosity, self-control, sincere practice, self-study, discipline, and honesty. These are not merely ideals to admire—they are habits that gradually free us from fear, selfishness, and inner confusion.
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् | दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ||१६-२||
Krishna describes the qualities of a person with a divine nature: do no harm, speak truthfully, do not be ruled by anger, and let go of selfish grasping. Such a person is peaceful, does not slander others, treats every being with compassion, remains gentle and humble, and is not carried away by restless impulses.
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः | यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् ||१६-१७||
Krishna warns against spirituality performed only for show. When pride, stubbornness, and the intoxication of wealth take over, even worship and charity can become a way to seek praise rather than to grow inwardly. True spiritual practice needs humility, sincerity, and respect for its purpose—not display.
अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः | मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयकाः ||१६-१८||
When ego, the hunger for power, arrogance, uncontrolled desire, and anger take over, a person begins to resent the divine presence within themselves and others. Krishna warns that this hostile, fault-finding attitude cuts us off from compassion, humility, and our deeper spiritual nature.
अर्जुन उवाच ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः | तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ||१७-१||
Arjuna asks about people who sincerely worship or perform rituals with faith, but do not follow the guidance of the scriptures. He wants to know what kind of faith drives them: is it clear and uplifting, restless and desire-driven, or confused and misguided?
श्रीभगवानुवाच | त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा | सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ||१७-२||
Krishna says that everyone’s faith is shaped by their inner nature, and it can take three forms: clear and balanced (sattvic), driven by desire and ambition (rajasic), or clouded by ignorance and inertia (tamasic). He now begins to explain how these different kinds of faith influence the choices people make and the life they create.
सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत | श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः ||१७-३||
What you deeply believe shapes the kind of person you become. Your faith is not just about religion; it is reflected in what you value, trust, pursue, and choose every day. So it is worth examining whether your inner beliefs are lifting you towards clarity and goodness or pulling you into lower habits.
यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः | प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ||१७-४||
The kind of faith we cultivate shapes what we admire, seek, and worship. A calm and clear-minded person is drawn toward higher ideals; a person driven by ambition may seek power and worldly gain; and a confused or unaware person can be attracted to fearful or harmful influences. Krishna is showing that our inner nature is revealed by the direction of our faith.
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः | दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ||१७-५||
Krishna cautions against harsh self-denial or religious practices done without true understanding. When austerity is driven by the need to impress others, ego, desire, or unhealthy attachment, it may look spiritual on the outside but does not lead to inner growth.
आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः | यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ||१७-७||
Krishna says that our everyday choices are not all alike: the food we prefer, the way we worship, the discipline we practise, and the way we give all reflect different qualities of mind. He now invites us to understand these differences, so that we can choose habits that bring greater clarity, balance, and inner growth.
अफलाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते | यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ||१७-११||
A pure offering is made not to gain praise, favour, or any personal reward, but because it is the right thing to do. When you carry out your responsibilities with a steady mind and sincere intention, the action itself becomes uplifting and purifying.
अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् | इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ||१७-१२||
When an act of worship, charity, or service is done mainly to gain a reward or to impress others, it is driven by rajas—the restless desire for recognition and results. Krishna reminds us to look at the intention behind our actions: doing good for praise or personal gain may bring temporary benefits, but it does not purify the heart in the same way as sincere, selfless offering.
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् | श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ||१७-१३||
A spiritual act becomes empty when it is done carelessly, without respect for its purpose, without sharing with others, without proper sincerity, or simply for show. Krishna reminds us that true worship is not about outward ritual alone; it needs faith, responsibility, generosity, and a genuine heart.
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् | ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ||१७-१४||
True discipline is not only about fasting or physical hardship. It is expressed through respecting the divine, honouring teachers and wise people, keeping oneself clean, being honest and straightforward, practising self-control, and avoiding harm to others. These everyday choices are the real austerity of the body.
श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः | अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ||१७-१७||
Austerity becomes sattvic when it is practised with deep faith, steadiness, and no expectation of praise, reward, or personal gain. Whether it is discipline of the body, speech, or mind, its purity lies in doing it sincerely as a part of one’s inner growth, not as a transaction.
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे | देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ||१७-२०||
True charity is given because helping is the right thing to do, not because we expect praise, favours, or repayment. It is offered thoughtfully—at the right time, in the right setting, and to someone who genuinely needs and can benefit from it.
ॐतत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः | ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ||१७-२३||
“Om Tat Sat” is a sacred threefold name for the Supreme Reality. It reminds us that spiritual learning, sacred practice, and selfless offerings are meant to be rooted in something higher than personal ego or gain.
तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः | प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ||१७-२४||
Krishna says that people seeking the highest truth begin acts of worship, charity, and self-discipline with “Om.” This sacred sound is a reminder that these actions are not merely personal achievements or rituals, but offerings connected to the Divine and guided by a higher purpose.
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः | दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ||१७-२५||
When you dedicate your actions to the highest truth—remembered through the word “Tat” (“That”)—you stop being trapped by the need for personal reward. Sacrifice, self-discipline, and charity then become ways to purify the heart and move toward inner freedom, rather than ways to gain praise, status, or benefit.
सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते | प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ||१७-२६||
Krishna explains that “Sat” stands for what is true, good, and worthy. It is also used for actions that are noble and beneficial. The verse reminds us to give our time, effort, and intentions to work that has integrity and brings genuine good.
यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते | कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ||१७-२७||
‘Sat’ stands for truth, goodness, and lasting spiritual value. When you stay sincere and steady in acts of worship, self-discipline, and giving, those actions become connected with Sat. Any effort done to support such noble purposes is also considered Sat, because its intention is to serve something higher than personal gain.
अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् | असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ||१७-२८||
A ritual, donation, discipline, or any good-looking action loses its real value when it is done without sincere faith and inner conviction. Krishna reminds Arjuna that outward acts alone are not enough; without a truthful intention and a connected heart, they bring no lasting good in this life or beyond.
अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् | त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ||१८-१||
Arjuna asks Krishna to clearly explain the difference between sanyasa and tyaga. He wants to understand whether spiritual renunciation means giving up actions themselves, or letting go of attachment to their results—an important question for anyone trying to live responsibly while seeking inner freedom.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः | सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः ||१८-२||
Krishna begins by clarifying two related ideas. Some call giving up desire-driven actions “sannyasa,” while others call letting go of the results of every action “tyaga.” The deeper message is not to run away from all responsibility, but to act without being controlled by personal gain, praise, or outcomes.
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् | यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ||१८-५||
Do not give up meaningful acts of worship, generosity, and self-discipline in the name of renunciation. When done sincerely, without ego or greed for results, these practices cleanse the mind and help even thoughtful people grow spiritually.
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च | कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ||१८-६||
Krishna says that necessary and noble actions should not be abandoned. Do your duty, but let go of clinging to the work itself and of craving a particular result; this is the highest form of renunciation.
अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम् | भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित् ||१८-१२||
Every action brings consequences—pleasant, unpleasant, or a mixture of both—for those who act while holding on to personal desires and ownership. But one who does their duty without attachment to results, offering the action to the Divine, is not bound by these karmic outcomes.
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते | अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ||१८-२०||
True, balanced wisdom is the ability to see one eternal divine reality present in every being, even though people appear different in body, nature, role, and circumstances. This vision dissolves feelings of superiority and separation, and encourages respect, compassion, and inner peace.
न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः | सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ||१८-४०||
No one—whether on earth or even among the gods in heaven—is completely untouched by the three qualities of nature: sattva (clarity), rajas (restless desire), and tamas (inertia). These forces shape everyone’s thoughts and actions, so real freedom begins by recognising their influence and rising beyond attachment to them through spiritual wisdom and devotion.
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च | ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ||१८-४२||
This verse describes the qualities of a person devoted to wisdom and spiritual understanding: inner calm, self-control, discipline, cleanliness, patience, honesty, learning, lived insight, and faith in the Divine. It reminds us that true knowledge is not just collecting information; it should shape our character and bring integrity to the way we live.
यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् | स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ||१८-४६||
The Divine is the source of every being and is present throughout all creation. When you do your own rightful work sincerely, seeing it as an offering to God rather than merely a way to gain rewards, that very work becomes worship and leads you towards inner fulfilment.
असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः | नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां संन्यासेनाधिगच्छति ||१८-४९||
True inner freedom comes when we do what needs to be done without clinging to outcomes, possessions, or personal cravings. By mastering the mind and letting go of selfish desire, a person can act without being inwardly bound by action and its results.
सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे | समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा ||१८-५०||
Krishna now begins to explain the highest culmination of spiritual understanding. He tells Arjuna that a person who has purified and perfected themselves can attain Brahman—the eternal divine reality—and He will describe this supreme path of knowledge briefly.
बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च | शब्दादीन्विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च ||१८-५१||
To move toward inner freedom, refine your understanding, steady your mind with discipline, and do not let constant sensory distractions control you. Let go of both craving for what you like and hostility toward what you dislike; a balanced mind becomes ready for deeper spiritual growth.
विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः | ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः ||१८-५२||
A person preparing for deep inner freedom learns to simplify life: seeking quiet space, eating with moderation, and keeping speech, actions, and thoughts under control. Through regular meditation and letting go of cravings and attachments, the mind becomes steady and ready for spiritual realisation.
अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् | विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||१८-५३||
To grow spiritually, we need to let go of the ego that says “I am superior,” the pride of power, uncontrolled desires, anger, possessiveness, and the constant feeling of “this is mine.” When the mind becomes free from these burdens and rests in inner peace, a person becomes ready to realise their deepest unity with the Divine.
ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति | समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ||१८-५४||
When a person becomes inwardly rooted in the Divine, the mind grows peaceful and complete. They are no longer consumed by regret over what is gone or restless craving for what they do not have. Seeing the same sacred presence in every being, they naturally develop the highest kind of loving devotion to God.
भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः | ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ||१८-५५||
True understanding of the Divine does not come from information alone; it grows through sincere love, trust, and devotion. When devotion helps a person know God as He truly is, they move beyond separation and attain union with the Supreme.
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः | मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ||१८-५६||
You do not have to abandon your responsibilities to walk a spiritual path. Keep doing your work, but take refuge in God—offer your efforts to Him and rely on His guidance rather than on your own ego alone. Through this grace-filled attitude, ordinary action becomes a path to lasting freedom and peace.
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः | बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ||१८-५७||
Offer every action to God inwardly, and let Him be your highest aim. Use steady, clear understanding to do what is right, but keep your heart connected to Him at all times; this is how work becomes a path of spiritual growth rather than a burden of ego or expectation.
मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि | अथ चेत्त्वमहंकारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ||१८-५८||
Keep your mind anchored in God and trust His guidance; by His grace, you will find the strength and clarity to cross even difficult obstacles. But if ego makes you reject wise counsel and insist on doing everything your own way, that stubbornness can lead you toward harm and downfall.
ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति | भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ||१८-६१||
Krishna says that the Divine lives in the heart of every being and quietly guides the movement of the whole world through His power. Our lives unfold within a vast divine order, shaped by nature, past tendencies, and circumstances; recognising this helps us let go of ego and take sincere refuge in God.
तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत | तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ||१८-६२||
Krishna asks Arjuna to place his whole heart in the Divine and take refuge in Him completely. This is not an escape from life or duty; it means trusting God deeply, offering oneself sincerely, and letting that faith guide one’s actions. Through this grace-filled surrender, a person finds lasting inner peace and reaches the eternal spiritual goal.
सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः शृणु मे परमं वचः | इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ||१८-६४||
Krishna speaks to Arjuna with deep affection: because you are dear to Me, listen once more to My most profound guidance, meant for your true welfare. The highest spiritual teaching is not distant or impersonal—it is offered with love, for the good of the one who is ready to receive it.
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु | मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ||१८-६५||
Krishna offers a simple path of loving connection: keep your mind turned towards Him, live with devotion, offer your actions to Him, and bow with humility. He gives Arjuna a personal assurance—when you make the Divine your true refuge and goal, you will reach Him, because you are deeply loved by Him.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज | अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ||१८-६६||
Krishna asks Arjuna to let go of every limited idea of duty, identity, and self-reliance that keeps him trapped in fear and inner conflict, and to surrender wholeheartedly to the Divine. This is not a call to escape responsibility, but to place one’s actions and burdens in God’s care; Krishna promises freedom from the consequences of past wrongs and tells Arjuna not to grieve.
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन | न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ||१८-६७||
Krishna says that this deepest spiritual teaching should be shared with someone who is sincere, respectful, and genuinely willing to listen and practise. It is not meant for a person who rejects it with hostility or ridicule; wisdom bears fruit when it is received with humility, devotion, and an open heart.
य इदं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति | भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ||१८-६८||
Krishna says that someone who lovingly shares this deepest spiritual teaching with sincere devotees is performing a sacred service. When this is done with wholehearted devotion to Him, it becomes a direct path to God and brings the teacher close to Him without doubt.
न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः | भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि ||१८-६९||
Krishna says that no one is dearer to Him than a person who lovingly shares this sacred wisdom with others. Helping people understand the Gita is not merely teaching; it is a heartfelt act of devotion and service to the Divine.
अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः | ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ||१८-७०||
Krishna says that sincerely studying and reflecting on this sacred conversation is itself a form of worship. When we seek wisdom not merely to collect information but to understand how to live rightly, that effort becomes an offering to the Divine.
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः | सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ||१८-७१||
Even simply listening to this sacred teaching with faith, without finding faults or harbouring resentment, brings spiritual benefit. Such sincere listening purifies the heart and leads one toward the blessed state attained by people who live with virtue and goodness.
अर्जुन उवाच नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत | स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ||१८-७३||
Arjuna says that Krishna’s guidance has cleared his confusion and restored his inner clarity. His doubts have fallen away, and he is now ready to stand firm and do what is right, following the wisdom he has received.
सञ्जय उवाच इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः | संवादमिममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् ||१८-७४||
Sanjaya says that he has listened to the extraordinary conversation between Krishna and Arjuna with deep awe. Its wisdom and spiritual power move him so profoundly that he feels a thrill run through his whole being.
व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम् | योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम् ||१८-७५||
Sanjaya says that, through Vyasa’s grace, he was able to hear Krishna reveal this profound teaching directly. His words remind us that spiritual wisdom is not merely information—it is a precious gift received through the guidance of a true teacher and the Lord’s grace.
राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम् | केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः ||१८-७६||
Sanjaya tells King Dhritarashtra that whenever he remembers this sacred and extraordinary conversation between Krishna and Arjuna, his heart fills with joy again. The wisdom of the Gita is not merely something to hear once; returning to it again and again can bring fresh clarity, faith, and inner upliftment.
तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः | विस्मयो मे महान् राजन्हृष्यामि च पुनः पुनः ||१८-७७||
Sanjaya says that whenever he remembers Krishna’s astonishing divine form, he is filled with wonder and joy all over again. A genuine glimpse of the Divine does not grow dull with repetition; it continues to awaken the heart with awe and happiness.
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः | तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ||१८-७८||
Sanjaya ends with a firm conviction: wherever Krishna’s divine wisdom and guidance join hands with Arjuna’s courage and willingness to act, success and well-being follow. The verse reminds us that lasting victory is not just about effort or faith alone—it comes from bringing clear values, inner guidance, and sincere action together.
