KRISHNA ABOUT HIMSELF IN THE GITA
The Gita, along with the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras, embodies the flights of spiritual thought and philosophy of the seers of ancient India. It contains the essence of the practical philosophy of the Upanashads in language more easily comprehended than that used in the latter. It is wrong to call it the scriptural text of the Hindus only. The message of the Gita is relevant for all times and for all humanity. Sage Vedavyasa has embedded this treasure in the heart of Mahabharata, the geat epic poem written by him. It has been appreciated and acclaimed by the great thinkers and philosophers of the World and translated into the major world languages. It is strange that this great sermon was delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the most unusual of settings, the battlefield of Kurukshetra where the Pandava and Kaurava armies were facing each other and Arjuna’s chariot, with Krishna as the charioteer, was stationed right in the middle of the two armies. In many places in the Gita Lord Krishna speaks about Himself. A representative sample of some oft-quoted slokas in this category are given below:
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् [४.७]
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे [४.८]
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् [४.१३]
भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्
सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति [५.२९]
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ [७.१६]
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः [१८.६६]
The following is a collection of such verses with their simple English translations. Reflection and contemplation of the meaning of these verses will, it is hoped, be of help to those treading the spiritual path.
लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ
ज्ञानयोगेन साङ्ख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनां [ ३.३]
In times bygone I had preached in this world two disciplines (paths) for realising the Supreme Reality. The path of Knowledge ( of the Atman) for the Samkhyas and the path of Karma (selfless action with detachment) for the Yogis
न मे पार्थाऽस्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि [३.२२]
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जतु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः
मम वर्त्माऽनुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः [३.२३]
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोकाः न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्
संकरस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमा: प्रजाः [३.२४]
O Arjuna! In all the three worlds there is nothing whatsoever that I am obliged to do, nothing that I have not achieved and nothing that I am yet to achieve. Still I do engage myself in activity (3.22). If I do not engage myself in such activities, without being idle or lethargic, men would emulate me in all manner of ways(3.24). If I refrain from karma, all these worlds would be wiped out. I would be the cause for the inter-mixing of varnas and for the destruction of mankind (3.25).
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययं
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ]४.१]
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् [४.३]
This immortal yoga was imparted by me to Vivaswan who imparted it to Manu. Manu gave this knowledge to Ikshwaku (4.1). The same ancient yoga, most secret and the best, was imparted to you by me since you are my devotee and a good friend (4.3)
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परंतप [४.५]
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया [४.६]
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् [४.७]
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे [४.८]
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन [४.९]
Many are my births in the past and so are yours O Arjuna!. I know all of them but you do not remember your previous births(4.5). I am the birthless, the deathless and the Lord of all beings. Yet I descend into this world of mortals with a human-like body by the power of my Maya, (embracing the pure sattwic aspect of my prakriti) (4.6). Whenever dharma ( virtue, righteousness) declines and adharma (vice, sin, corruption)raises its head in this world, I incarnate myself in human form(4.7). In every age I appear in human form for protecting the good and for the destruction of the wicked and the bad (4,8). One who really understands that my births and actions in this world are divine and are of a transcendental nature, will never again be born after leaving this body but will become one with me (4.9).
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः [४.११]
In whatsoever manner men approach me I respond to them and accept them in the same manner. Human beings, whichever their favourite god, finally end up in Me since those gods are only different aspects of Me, the Supreme Lord.
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्य्यम् [४.१३]
I established the four varnas, division of society into four classes, viz., brahmin the preceptor, kshatriya the warrior, vysya the tiller and the tradesman and sudra the service provider. This division was based (not on birth) but on guna (innate qualities) and karma (aptitude for specific type of work). Though I am the author of this division O Arjuna! realise that I am beyond action and changeless.
न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा
इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते [४.१४]
Actions do not contaminate me nor do I have any desire for the fruits thereof. He who thus understands me will not be bound by actions.
भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्
सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति [५.२९]
One who knows Me as the acceptor of sacrifices (yagna) and austerities (tapas) (of devotees), as the Supreme Lord of all the worlds and as the friend and well-wisher of all beings, attains to supreme Peace.
यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति
तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति [६.३०]
सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः
सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगि मयि वर्तते [६.३१]
One who sees Me everywhere (that is in all things, animate or inanimate) and sees everything in Me never loses sight of me. I too never lose sight of him (6.30). The yogi who devoutly worships me equally in all beings abides in Me whatever may be his mode of life(6.31) .
भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च
अहंकार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा [७.४]
अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम्
जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यतेजगत् [७.५]
एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय
अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा [७.६]
मत्तः परतरं नाऽन्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय
मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव [७.७]
The eight-fold division of my prakriti consists of earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect and the ego(7.4). This is my lower prakriti. My higher prakriti is the jiva (the principle of consciousness) in all beings by which the whole universe is sustained (supported)(7.5). Understand O Arjuna! that all beings whatsoever have come out of the womb of My Prakriti. From Me the entire cosmos takes birth and in Me the cosmos attains dissolution (at the end of each cycle of creation) (7.6) I am He who causes; there is no other beside me. Upon me these worlds are held together like pearls strung on a thread (7.7)
रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः
प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु [७.८[
पुण्यो गन्धः पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चाऽस्मि विभावसौ
जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु [७.९]
बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम्
बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् [७.१०]
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम्
धर्माऽविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ [७.११]
ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये
मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि नत्वहं तेषु ते मयि [७.१२]
दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया
मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते [ ७.१३]
O Arjuna! I am the sweetness (essence) in water, brightness in the Moon and the Sun, the ‘Om’ word in the Vedas, sound in the ether and manliness in men (7.8). I am the sacred scent of the Earth, the light of the fire, the life force in all beings and the austerity of the ascetics(7.9). Understand that I am the eternal seed of all beings. I am the intellect of the intelligent and the valour of the heroic (7.10). In the strong, I am the strength devoid of desire and lust. I am all that one may desire without transgressing one’s dharma, the laws of one’s nature 7.11). Understand that whatever belongs to the states of sattwa, rajas and tamas proceeds from Me. They are contained in me but I am not in them (7.12).
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ [७.१६]
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्तः एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते
प्रियो हे ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः [७.१७]
O Arjuna! four types of people, who have earned punya (merit by doing good deeds) worship Me. Those who are afflicted, those who are seekers of the Truth, those who are after wealth and the gnani, the realised soul (7.16). Of the four, the gnani remains ever united with me in single-minded devotion. He is dear to Me and I am very dear to him(7.17).
यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयाऽर्चितुमिच्छति
तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् [७.२१]
स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते
लभते च ततः कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान् [७.२२]
Whichever deity a devotee wants to worship with reverence and faith, that very faith of his I make unwavering and strong (7.21) . Endowed with the faith I give him, he worships that deity and gets all that he prays for. In reality I am the one who grants the wishes of the devotee (though his prayers are addressed to his favourite deity) (7.22).
नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः
मूढोऽयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम् [७.२५]
वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन
भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन [७.२६]
I do not manifest myself to one and all, covered as I am, by my yogamaya. Ignorant men, deluded as they are by my Maya, do not know me who is unborn and unchanging (7.25). O Arjuna! I know all beings past, present and those yet to come. But no one knows me (7.26).
अनन्यचेताः सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः
तस्याहं सुलभः पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः [८.१४]
मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दुःखालयमशाश्वतम्
नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः संसिद्धिं परमां गताः [८.१५]
I am easily accessible to the Yogi who is ever remembering me, without break, with an undistracted mind and always remains absorbed in me(7.14). These great souls, having reached me, never again take birth which is the source of all sorrow and which is fleeting. They have attained the highest goal of life (7.15).
मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना
मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि न चाहं तेष्ववस्थितः [९.४]
न च मत्शानि बूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्
भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः [९.५]
यथाकाशस्थितो नित्यं वायुः सर्वत्रगो महान्
तथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मत्स्थानीत्युपधारय [९.६]
सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम्
कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम् [९.७]
प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्ठभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः
भूतग्राममिं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात् [९.८]
न च मां तानि कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनंजय
उदासीनवदासीनमसक्तं तेषु कर्मसु ]९.९]
The entire universe is pervaded by Me in My unmanifested form. All beings abide in me; I am not in them (9.4). In reality all these beings are not in me. O Arjuna! see the magic of my yogamaya. Though I bring forth and sustain all beings I am not in them (9.5). Air which is within ether (space) is free to move everywhere. [One does not affect the other in any manner. Each exists without being attached to the other].All beings are in me according to this analogy only. [The beings are not restrained in any manner and I am not affected by their presence]. (9.6) At the end of a kalpa all beings enter my prakruti in their subtle form and again at the beginning of the kalpa I release all of them from the control of my prakruti (9.7). By the instrumentality of my prakruti I gather up all creation and release them again and again. These actions do not bind me since I maintain an attitude of indifference and am not attached to these actions or the fruits thereof (9.8) .
मयाध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम्
हेतुनानेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते [९.१०]
अवजानन्ति मां मूढा मानुषीं तनुमाश्रितम्
परं भावमजानन्तो मम भूतमहेश्वरम् [९.११]
महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ् दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः
भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययं [९.१३]
सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः
नमस्यन्तश्च मां नित्यं नित्ययुक्ता उपासते [९.१४]
अनन्याश्चिनतयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् [९.२२]
Overseen by me, prakruti gives birth to both the moving and the non-moving life. O son of Kunti!, because of this the world goes through the cycle of births and deaths (9.10). Fools do not give me due recognition when I take on a human-like body because they know nothing of My majesty as the Supreme Lord of all beings (9.11) Noble souls of divine nature, knowing Me as the origin of all beings, ever remember me with single-minded devotion (9.12). Ever remaining one with Me, they adore me by singing my praises, exerting themselves, remaining steadfast on their vows and offering salutations to me day in and day out (9.13)
अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाऽहमहमौषधम्
मन्त्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम् ]९.१६]
पिताहमस्यजगतः माता धाता पितामहः
वेद्यं पवित्रमोङ्कारः ऋक्साम यजुरेव च [९.१७]
गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत्
प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम् [९.१८]
तपाम्यहमहं वर्षं निगृह्णाम्युत्सृजामि च
अमृतं चैव मृत्युश्च सदसच्चाहमर्जुन [९.१९]
I am the rites ordained by the Vedas and the rituals enjoined by the scriptures. I am the offering to the departed souls. I am the herbs of healing, the mantra, the ghee, the offering and the fire into which offering is made (9,16). Of this world, I am the father, the mother, the grandfather and the dispenser of the fruits of actions. I am the One to be known as the Self. I am the sacred syllable ‘OM’ and the three Vedas Rik, Yajus and Sama (9.17). I am the end of the path. I am the one who sustains, disciplines and is the witness. I am the abode, the refuge and the friend. I am the Creator and I am the one in whom all these dissolve. I am the storehouse of life’s dissolution. I am the eternal changeless seed (9.18). I am the heat of the Sun and of the Fire. I withhold the rain, I also release it. I am Immortality, I am also Death. I am the cosmos both in its manifested and its unmanifested states (9.19.)
अनन्याश्चिनतयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् [९.२२]
Those who worship me and meditate upon me with an undistracted mind, devoting every moment to me, to them I supply all their needs and guard their possessions from loss (by theft or other means).
पत्रं पुष्पं पलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः [९.२६]
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः
ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् [९.२९]
अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्
साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः [९.३०]
क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छाति
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति [९.३१]
मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः
स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम् [९.३२]
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु
मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः [९.३४]
Whoever gives me an offering in true devotion be it a leaf, a flower, a fruit or just water I accept it, it being a gift of love, his heart’s dedication (9.26). I am equal in all beings; none I love and none I hate. Nevertheless, my devotees abide in me always and so do I in them (9.29) Even if a man of mean and despicable conduct has single-minded devotion to me, he is not to be considered a sinner but as one who has chosen the right path with determination (9.30). He will soon become a person of great virtue and will attain eternal peace. O son of Kunti! Of this be certain; one who loves me shall not perish (9.31). Even those belonging to the lower castes, women, vaishyas and Sudras can reach the highest spiritual realization if they take refuge in me (9.32) Fill your heart and mind with me, adore me, make all your acts an offering to me, bow down to me in self surrender. If you set your heart upon me thus, and take me for your ideal above all others, you will come into my Being (9.34). .
न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः
अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः [१०.२]
यो मामजमनादिं च वेत्ति लोकमहेश्वरम्
असंमूढः स मर्त्येषु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते [१०.३]
बुद्द्धिर्ज्ञानमसंमोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः
सुखं दुःखं भवोऽभावो भयं चाभयमेव च [१०.४]
अहिंसा समता तुष्टिस्तपो दानं यशोऽयशः
भवन्ति भावा भूतानां मत्त एव पृथग्विधाः [१०.५]
अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते
इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विताः [१०.८]
मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा बोधयन्तः परस्परम्
कथयन्तश्च मां नित्यं तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च [१०.९]
तेषां सततयुक्तानां भजतां प्रीतिपूर्वकम्
ददामि बुद्धियोगं तं येन मामुपयान्ति ते [१०.१०]
तेषामेवानुकंपार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः
नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता [१०.११]
Neither the Devas nor the Rishis know my beginning. I am the origin of the Devas and the seers in all manner of ways (10.2) He who knows me as without beginning and as the Lord of the worlds is absolved of all his sins, without being deluded.(10.3) The different states (feelings, moods, emotions etc.) of beings such as Intelligence, power of understanding, non-delusion, endurance, truth, control of the senses, control of the mind, happiness, sorrow, birth, death, fear, fearlessness, non-violence, equality, contentment, austerities, gifting, fame and infamy all proceed from me.(10.4, 10.5) From Me all beings have come and their different moods and feelings also issue forth from Me – thus thinking the wise worship me with great love and feeling in their heart (10.8). Their mind and senses always absorbed in Me, imparting knowledge about me to each other and narrating my divine leelas and singing my praise they live in bliss and contentment (10.9). They are ever united with me mentally and worship me with all the love in their heart. I give them, in their heart, knowledge of buddhi yoga by which they will reach me (10.10) Taking pity on them I destroy the darkness of their mind born of ignorance by the brilliant lamp of Knowledge of the Atman(10.11).
अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थितः
अहमादिश्च मध्यं च भूतानामन्त एव च [१०.२0]
आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान्
मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी [१०.२१]
वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः
इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चाऽस्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना [१०.२२]
रुद्राणां शंकरश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम्
वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरुः शिखरिणामहम् [१०.२३]
पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ ब्रुहस्पतिम्
सेनानीनामहं स्कन्दः सरसामस्मि सागरः [१०.२४]
O Arjuna! I am the Atman abiding in the heart of every living being. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all (10.20). I am Vishnu among the Adityas, the radiant sun among the light-givers, Marichi among the Maruts and the moon among the stars(10.21) Among the Vedas I am Sama Veda, among the Devas I am Indra, among the senses I am the mind, in all beings I am the consciousness (awareness) (10.22) I am Sankara among Rudras, Kubera, the God of riches, among yakshas and rakshasas, Fire god among the Vasus and Meru among mountains.(10.23) I am Brihaspati, among priests, I am Skanda among leaders of the army and the ocean among water bodies (10.24)
महर्षीणां भृगुरहं गिरामस्म्येकमक्षरम्
यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि स्थावराणां हिमालयः [१०.२५]
अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारदः
गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथः सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनिः [१०.२६]
उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम्
ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम् [१०.२७]
आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक्
प्रजनशाऽस्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः [१०.२८]
अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम्
पितॄणामर्यमा चास्मि यमः संयमतामहम् [१०.२९]
I am Bhrigu among the maharshis, ‘OM’ among sacred syllables, Japa ygna (repetition of the names of the Lord under a vow) among Yagnas and the Himalayas among things immovable(10.25). I am aswatha ( the holy fig tree) among trees, Narada among the celestial rishis, chitraratha among gandharvas and Kapila among siddhas (10.26). I am uchaishravas which arose from the milky ocean which was being churned for nectar, airavatam among elephants and the king among men. (10.27) Among weapons I am vajrayudha, Kamadhenu among cows, Kama among procreators and Vasuki among snakes (10.28) Among serpents I am Ananta, Varuna among water-beings, Aryama among the departed souls, Yama among those who discipline beings (10.29).
प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम्
मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम् [१०.३०]
पवनः पवतामस्मि रामः शस्त्रभृतामहं
झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जान्हवी [१०.३१]
सर्गाणामादिरन्तश्च मध्यं चैवाहमर्जुन
अध्यात्मविद्या विद्यानां वादः प्रवदतामहम् [१०.३२]
अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्वः सामासिकस्य च
अहमेवाक्षयः कालो धाताऽहं विश्वतोमुखः [१०.३३]
मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम्
कीर्तिः श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृतिः क्षमा [१०.३४]
Among Asuras I am Prahlada, among those who measure (count) I am Time, among animals I am the lion and among birds I am Garuda (10.30). I am the wind among purifiers, Rama among warriors, the shark among fish and the Ganges among rivers(10.31), I am the beginning, the middle, and the end in creation. I am the knowledge of things spiritual. I am the logic of those who debate (10.32) In the alphabet I am ‘A’. In compounds (samasa ) I am dwandwa. I am time without end. I am the Sustainer and my face is everywhere (10.33). I am death that snatches all. I am the source of all that shall be born. I am glory, prosperity, beautiful speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and forgiveness (10.34 )
बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहं
मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकरः [१०.३५]
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् [१०.३६]
वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जयः
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः [१०.३७]
दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम्
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् [१०.३८]
यच्चापि सर्वभूतानां बीजं तदहमर्जुन
न तदस्ति विना यत्स्यान्मया भूतं चराचरम् [१०.३९]
नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परंतप
एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया [१०.४०]
यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा
तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसंभवम् [१०.४१]
अथवा किमुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन
विष्ठभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत् [१०.४२]
I am the great Sama of the Vedic hymns, Gayatri among poetic metres, Margashirsha among months, Vasanta, the time of flowers, among seasons (10.35). I am the dice-play of the cunning and the strength of the strong. I am triumph, perseverance and the purity of the good(10.36). I am Krishna among the Vrishnis, Arjuna among the Pandavas, Vyasa among the sages and Ushana among the illumined poets (10.37) I am the sceptre and the mastery of those who rule, the strategy of those who seek to conquer, the silence of things secret and the knowledge of the knower (10.38) O Arjuna! I am the divine seed of all lives. In this world, nothing animate or inanimate exists without me (10.39). There is no limit to my divine manifestations, nor can they be numbered. What I have described to you are only a few of my countless forms (10.40). Whatever in this world is glorious, beautiful or powerful, that you may know to have come forth from a fraction of my power and glory (10.41). O Arjuna, What need have you to know this huge variety. Know only that I exist, and that one atom of myself sustains the universe. (10.42)
पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च [११.५]
पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा
बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याश्चर्याणि भारत [११.६]
इहैकस्थं जगकृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम्
मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि [११.७]
न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा
दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् [११.८]
Behold, O son of Kunti, my divine forms, in hundreds and thousands, various in kind and in multiplicity of colours (11.5). Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Ashwins and the Maruts. Behold many wonders, O Arjuna, that no man has seen before (11.6) O Arjuna, behold all the worlds complete with everything, animate or inanimate, in this body of mine
and also whatever else you want to see(11.7) . You will not be able to see this form of mine with your human eyes. I shall give you divine eyes with which behold my extraordinary powers (11,8)
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो
लोकान्समाहर्तुमिहप्रवृत्तः
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे
येऽवस्थिता प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः [११.३२[
तस्मात्त्वमुत्थिष्ठ यशो लभस्व
जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्
मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव
निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् [११.३३]
द्रोनं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च
कर्णं तथान्यानपि योधवीरान्
मया हतांस्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा:
युध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्नान् [११.३४]
I am Kala (Time or Death), eroding and wearing off everything in the universe. I am ready to gather unto myself, destroy, all that is there in the worlds. Even without you all those warriors in the opposite camp will meet with their death (11.32). Therefore O Arjuna, stand up, vanquish your enemies , be glorified and enjoy the kingdom rich in resources. All these (in the opposite camp) have already been killed by me, strike at them and be just the apparent cause of their death (11.33). Kill Dorna, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna and other brave warriors who have already been put to death by me. Fight, you are sure to vanquish the enemy and win this war (11.34)
मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदं
रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात्
तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं
यन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम् [११.४७]
न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानै
र्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः
एवं रूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके
द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर [११.४८]
मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो
दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदं
व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वम्
तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य [११.४९]
सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम
देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः [११.५२]
नाहं वेदैर्नतपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया
शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा [११.५३]
भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन
ज्ञातुं द्रुष्टुं च तत्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परंतप [११.५४]
मत्कर्मकृत् मत्परमो मत्भक्तः संगवर्जितः
निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव[११.५५]
O Arjuna, I am very pleased with you and so I have revealed to you, by my yogic powers, .
this effulgent, all-encompassing, without-end and primeval form of mine which has not been seen by any one else earlier (11.47). Neither through vedic knowledge, nor performance of yagnas, nor study of scriptures, nor philanthropic gifts, nor Vedic rites nor austerities ( tapas) shall this form of mine be viewed by any mortal, other than you, O hero of the Kurus. (11.48). You need grieve no more, nor be bewildered after seeing my terrible form. Be glad, take courage, and behold my earlier form (you are familiar with) (11.49) That cosmic form of mine which you have seen is very difficult to behold. Even the devas themselves are always longing to see it (11.52) Neither by study of the Vedas, nor by austerities, nor by philanthropic gifts, nor by performance of yagnas can I be seen as you have seen me (11.53)
O Arjuna, only by single-minded and intense devotion that Form of mine may be completely known, and seen and entered into(11.54) Whosoever works for Me alone, makes Me his only goal and is devoted to Me, free from attachment, and without enmity or hatred towards all beings shall enter into Me, O Arjuna (11.55) .
मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते
श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः [१२.२]
ये त्वक्षरमनिर्देश्यमव्यक्तं पर्युपासते
सर्वत्रगमचिन्त्यं च कूतस्थमचलं ध्रुवम् [१२.३]
संनियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः
ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः [१२.४]
क्लेशोऽधिकतरस्तेषामव्यक्तासक्तचेतसाम्
अव्यक्ता हि गतिर्दुःखं देहवद्भिरवाप्यते [१२.५]
ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः
अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते [१२.६]
तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात्
भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम् [१२.७]
मय्येव मन आधस्व महि बुद्धिं निवेशय
निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अतः ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः [१२.८]
Those whose minds are fixed on me in steadfast love, worshipping me with absolute faith, I consider them to have the greater understanding of yoga(12.2). Those who worship God the unmanifest which is immutable, indefinable, all-pervading, beyond the reach of thought, constant, immovable and changeless, by controlling their senses and the mind and seeing the same divinity in all creatures and working for their benefit, will certainly reach Me(12.3, 12.4). Those who are thus devoted to the Unmanifest have to struggle hard. The Unmanifest can be realised by embodied souls only with great difficulty (12.5). I, God manifest, quickly rescue from this mortal world of births and deaths, those who offer me every action in complete surrender, for whom I am the only goal, who worship me and meditate upon me with single-minded devotion and whose minds are always absorbed in me. (12.6,12.7) Be absorbed in me and lodge your mind in me. Thus shall you dwell in me here and hereafter, do not doubt it, O Arjuna(12.8)
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च
निर्ममो निरहंकारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी [१२.१३]
संतुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः [१२.१४]
That devotee of mine, who does not hate any creature, is friend and compassionate, is not possessive or egoistic, accepts pleasure and pain with equanimity, is forgiving , is always contented, is united constantly with me in meditation, has the mind under his control and has unshakable resolve, who has surrendered his mind and intellect to me, is very dear to me (12.13,12.14).
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः [१२.१५]
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्षः उदासीनो गतव्यथः
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः [१२.१६]
That devotee of mine, by whom people are not mentally disturbed, who himself is not mentally disturbed by others, who is not swayed by joy and envy, fear and anxiety, is very dear to me (12.15) That devotee of mine, who is without desire for even things which come to him without effort, who is pure in body and mind, who is active and skilful and not lazy, who is devoid of worries, who has given up all endeavours for selfish ends, is very dear to me. (12.16)
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः [१२.१७]
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः संगविवर्जितः [१२.१८]
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी संतुष्टो येन केनचित्
अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः [१२.१९]
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते
श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः [१२.२०]
That devotee of mine, who neither delights nor hates, who neither grieves nor desires, who is indifferent to things auspicious or inauspicious, is very dear to me (12.17) That devotee of mine, who maintains equanimity between friend and foe, honour and dishonour, heat and cold, pleasure and pain, praise and criticism, who is unattached and contented with whatever comes by chance, who does not have a permanent abode and who is having a steadfast mind, is very dear to me (12.18,12.19) This true wisdom I have taught will lead you to immortality. The faithful practice it with devotion , taking me for the highest aim. To me they surrender heart and mind. They are exceedingly dear to me. (12.20)
मम योनिर्महत्ब्रह्म तस्मिन्गर्भं दधाम्यहम्
सम्भवः सर्वभूतानां ततो भवति भारत [१4.३]
सर्वयोनिषु कौन्तेय मूर्तयः सम्भवन्ति याः
तासां ब्रह्म महद्योनिरहं बीजप्रदः पिता [१4.४]
O Arjuna, the whole of creation issues forth from the womb of Prakriti which is impregnated by Me. Whatever forms issue forth from the womb of human and other species, for all those forms Prakriti is the Mother and I am the Father who provides the seed (14.3,14.4).
ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च
शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च [१४.२७]
I am the Brahman in this body. I am life Immortal that shall not perish. I am the eternal dharma and the Joy for ever (14.27)
ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः
मनः षष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति [१५.७]
A part of me has become, in all created beings, the Jiva who is eternally going through the cycles of births and deaths. During each cycle the Jiva, in the bondage of ignorance(Avidya), attracts towards itself its senses and the mind ( dissolved in the Prakriti in subtle form for working out the vasanas of the previous birth)
यदादित्यगतं तेजो जगत्भासयतेऽखिलम्
यच्चन्द्रमसि यच्चाग्नौ तत्तेजो विद्धि मामकम् [१५.१२]
Understand that the light that is in the Sun lighting up all the world, the light in the moon and the light in the fire are all from my effulgence.
गामाविश्य च भूतानि धारयाम्यहमोजसा
पुष्णामि चौषधीः सर्वाः सोमो भूत्वा रसात्मकः [१५.१३]
My energy enters the earth sustaining all life. I have become the Moon, the giver of water and sap. I foster the growth of plants and trees.
अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः
प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम् [१५.१४]
I am the digestive fire in the bellies of living beings. In collaboration with Prana and Apana I digest and assimilate the four types of food ( those to be chewed, those to be drunk, those to be sucked and those to be licked)
सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो
मत्तः स्मृतिः ज्ञानमपोहनं च
वेदैश्च सर्वैरहमेव वेद्यो
वेदान्तकृद्वेद्विदेव चाहम् [१५.१५]
I am seated in the cave of the heart of all living beings. Remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness spring from me. I am the one sought by all the Vedas. I am also the author of the Upanishads and the knower of the Vedas.
द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च
क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते [१५.१६]
उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यःपरमात्मेत्युदाहृतः
यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः [१५.१७]
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहं अक्षरादपिचोत्तमः
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः [१५.१८]
यो मामेवमसंमूढो जानाति पुरुषोत्तमम्
स सर्वविद्भजति मां सर्वभावेन भारत [१५.१९]
There are two entities in this world, kshara and akshara. Kshara is all beings, akshara is the indwelling spirit Jiva(15.16). Higher than the kshara and akshara is the third, purusha, who is the Paramatma, the unchanging Lord, who pervades the whole Universe and sustains the whole of creation(15.17). Because I am above kshara and am superior to akshara ( who is bound by ignorance) I am glorified in the Vedas and in this world as purushottama (15.19)
भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान् यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः
ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् [१८.५५]
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः
मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् [१८.५६]
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः
बिद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव [१८.५७]
मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि
अथ चेत्त्वमहंकारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि [१८.५८]
By love and devotion one knows me, my innermost nature and the Truth that I am. Through this knowledge one enters at once to my being (18.55). One who diligently performs all his actions and offers all of them to me in a spirit of surrender attains, by my grace, that place which is eternal and unchanging (from which there is no return)(18.56). Mentally resign all your actions to me. Regard me as your dearest loved one. Know me to be your only refuge. Be united always in heart and consciousness with me (18.57). United with me , you shall overcome all difficulties by my grace. But if your heart is full of conceit, and you do not heed me, you will perish(18.58). .
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु
मामैवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे [१८.६५]
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः [१८.६६]
य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति
भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः [१८.६८]
न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः
भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि [१८.६९]
Give me your whole heart; love and adore me. Worship me and bow to me always. I promise you, whom I love dearly, that you shall find me (18.65) Lay down all duties in me and surrender yourself to me as your sole refuge. Fear no longer; I will save your from sin and from bondage (18.66) He who passes on this most secret knowledge to my devotees will, loving me and adoring me dearly, will certainly, without doubt, attain Me. No one else can do anything which is dearer to me than this. No one else on this earth will be dearer to me than he ( who has passed on this knowledge to a devotee of mine) (18.68,18.69)