Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.9 कविं पुराणमनुशासितार-
श्लोक 8.9
कविं पुराणमनुशासितार-
मणोरणीयंसमनुस्मरेद्यः ।
सर्वस्य धातारमचिन्त्यरूप-
मादित्यवर्णं तमसः परस्तात् ॥
kaviṃ purāṇamanuśāsitāra-
maṇoraṇīyaṃsamanusmaredyaḥ |
sarvasya dhātāramacintyarūpa-
mādityavarṇaṃ tamasaḥ parastāt ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
उस परमात्मा का स्मरण करना चाहिए जो सर्वज्ञ, सनातन, सबका शासक, सूक्ष्म से भी सूक्ष्म, सबका पालनकर्ता, अचिंत्य रूप वाला, सूर्य के समान प्रकाशमान और अंधकार से परे है।
Meaning in English
One should meditate on Him who is all-knowing, ancient, the ruler of all, subtler than the subtlest, the sustainer of everything, of unthinkable form, radiant like the sun and beyond all darkness.
Bhagavad Gita 8.9 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कविम् | kavim | the all-seeing seer |
| पुराणम् | purāṇam | the ancient one |
| अनुशासितारम् | anuśāsitāram | the ruler |
| अणोः अणीयांसम् | aṇoḥ aṇīyāṃsam | subtler than the subtlest |
| अनुस्मरेत् यः | anusmaret yaḥ | whoever meditates upon |
| सर्वस्य धातारम् | sarvasya dhātāram | the sustainer of all |
| अचिन्त्यरूपम् | acintya-rūpam | whose form is beyond thought |
| आदित्यवर्णम् | āditya-varṇam | radiant like the sun |
| तमसः परस्तात् | tamasaḥ parastāt | beyond all darkness |
Explanation
One should meditate on him who is the all-knowing seer, the ancient one, the ruler of all, subtler than the subtlest atom, the sustainer of everything, whose form is beyond thought, who shines like the sun beyond all darkness. The description continues into the next verse.
This verse and the next form a single sentence describing the object of meditation at death. Its phrases echo the Upanishads: anor aniyan (subtler than the subtle) is found in the Katha and Shvetashvatara Upanishads, and aditya-varnam tamasah parastat (sun-coloured, beyond darkness) recalls the Shvetashvatara and the Purusha hymn tradition. Shankara takes kavi as omniscient. Ramanuja sees in these attributes the personal Lord who is both immanent and transcendent. The verse is often recited as a meditation on God as pure light.
भावार्थ
जो सर्वज्ञ, सनातन, सबके नियन्ता, सूक्ष्म से भी अति सूक्ष्म, सबके धारण-पोषण करने वाले, अचिन्त्य स्वरूप वाले, सूर्य के समान प्रकाशमान और अन्धकार से परे परमात्मा का स्मरण करता है —
Living it today
When you meditate, give the mind a clear and luminous image to rest on. Light beyond darkness is a simple, powerful one to hold.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.9?
One should meditate on him who is the all-knowing seer, the ancient one, the ruler of all, subtler than the subtlest atom, the sustainer of everything, whose form is beyond thought, who shines like the sun beyond all darkness. The description continues into the next verse.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.9?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.9 in daily life?
When you meditate, give the mind a clear and luminous image to rest on. Light beyond darkness is a simple, powerful one to hold.
Reflected on verse 8.9?
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