Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.38 त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्-
श्लोक 11.38
त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्-
त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् ।
वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम
त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ॥
tvamādidevaḥ puruṣaḥ purāṇas-
tvamasya viśvasya paraṃ nidhānam |
vettāsi vedyaṃ ca paraṃ ca dhāma
tvayā tataṃ viśvamanantarūpa ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
आप आदि देव और पुराण पुरुष हैं, आप इस जगत के परम आश्रय हैं। आप ही जानने वाले, जानने योग्य और परम धाम हैं। हे अनंत रूप! यह सारा जगत आपसे व्याप्त है।
Meaning in English
You are the first God, the ancient Person, the supreme resting place of this universe. You are the knower and what is to be known, the highest abode. The universe is pervaded by you, O you of infinite forms.
Bhagavad Gita 11.38 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| आदिदेवः | ādi-devaḥ | the primal God |
| पुरुषः | puruṣaḥ | the Person |
| पुराणः | purāṇaḥ | ancient |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| अस्य विश्वस्य | asya viśvasya | of this universe |
| परम् | param | supreme |
| निधानम् | nidhānam | resting place |
| वेत्ता असि | vettā asi | you are the knower |
| वेद्यम् | vedyam | the known |
| च | ca | and |
| परम् च धाम | param ca dhāma | and the supreme abode |
| त्वया | tvayā | by you |
| ततम् | tatam | pervaded |
| विश्वम् | viśvam | the universe |
| अनन्तरूप | ananta-rūpa | O you of endless forms |
Explanation
You are the primal God, the ancient Person, the supreme resting place of this universe. You are the knower and the known, and the highest abode. By you this universe is pervaded, O you of endless forms. Arjuna's praise gathers the deepest titles of the Divine.
Several phrases echo earlier verses: 'supreme resting place' repeats 11.18, and 'pervaded by you' recalls 9.4 and 8.22. 'Knower and known' is read by Shankara as the one consciousness that is both subject and object; Ramanuja reads it as the Lord who knows all and who alone is fully worth knowing. 'Supreme abode' (param dhama) recalls 8.21 and 15.6, the state from which there is no return. Commentators see the verse as a short creed of the Gita's theology.
भावार्थ
आप आदिदेव और सनातन पुरुष हैं, आप इस जगत के परम आश्रय हैं। आप ही जानने वाले हैं, आप ही जानने योग्य हैं और आप ही परम धाम हैं। हे अनन्तरूप, आपसे ही यह सारा विश्व व्याप्त है।
Living it today
Seek the knowing behind all your knowledge; facts are many, but the awareness that knows them is one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.38?
You are the primal God, the ancient Person, the supreme resting place of this universe. You are the knower and the known, and the highest abode. By you this universe is pervaded, O you of endless forms. Arjuna's praise gathers the deepest titles of the Divine.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.38?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.38 in daily life?
Seek the knowing behind all your knowledge; facts are many, but the awareness that knows them is one.
Reflected on verse 11.38?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.