Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.18 त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं
श्लोक 11.18
त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं
त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् ।
त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता
सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे ॥
tvamakṣaraṃ paramaṃ veditavyaṃ
tvamasya viśvasya paraṃ nidhānam |
tvamavyayaḥ śāśvatadharmagoptā
sanātanastvaṃ puruṣo mato me ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
आप ही जानने योग्य परम अक्षर हैं, आप ही इस जगत के परम आश्रय हैं। आप ही सनातन धर्म के अविनाशी रक्षक हैं; मेरे मत में आप ही सनातन पुरुष हैं।
Meaning in English
You are the imperishable, the supreme one to be known; you are the ultimate resting place of this universe. You are the undying guardian of eternal dharma; you are, I believe, the timeless Person.
Bhagavad Gita 11.18 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| अक्षरम् | akṣaram | the imperishable |
| परमम् | paramam | supreme |
| वेदितव्यम् | veditavyam | to be known |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| अस्य | asya | of this |
| विश्वस्य | viśvasya | universe |
| परम् | param | supreme |
| निधानम् | nidhānam | resting place, treasure-house |
| त्वम् अव्ययः | tvam avyayaḥ | you are unchanging |
| शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता | śāśvata-dharma-goptā | guardian of eternal dharma |
| सनातनः | sanātanaḥ | eternal, ancient |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| पुरुषः | puruṣaḥ | the Person |
| मतः मे | mataḥ me | in my understanding |
Explanation
You are the supreme Imperishable, the one thing worth knowing. You are the final resting place of this universe. You are unchanging, the guardian of eternal dharma; you are, I now understand, the ancient and eternal Person. Arjuna moves from describing the form to declaring what it reveals.
This verse is a turning point in Arjuna's hymn: from 'I see' he passes to 'you are'. The word akshara recalls 8.3, where the Imperishable is called the supreme Brahman, and 'guardian of eternal dharma' echoes Krishna's promise in 4.7 to 4.8 to protect righteousness in every age. Shankara reads the verse as identifying Krishna with the supreme Brahman; Ramanuja stresses the personal Lord, the Purusha who upholds the cosmic order. 'In my understanding' marks Arjuna's own conviction, born of seeing.
भावार्थ
आप ही जानने योग्य परम अक्षर (अविनाशी ब्रह्म) हैं, आप ही इस जगत के परम आश्रय हैं। आप अविनाशी हैं, सनातन धर्म के रक्षक हैं, और मेरे मत में आप ही सनातन पुरुष हैं।
Living it today
Let experience turn into conviction: when something proves true in your life, say clearly what you now know.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.18?
You are the supreme Imperishable, the one thing worth knowing. You are the final resting place of this universe. You are unchanging, the guardian of eternal dharma; you are, I now understand, the ancient and eternal Person. Arjuna moves from describing the form to declaring what it reveals.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.18?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.18 in daily life?
Let experience turn into conviction: when something proves true in your life, say clearly what you now know.
Reflected on verse 11.18?
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