Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 9 · Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 9.16 अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम्
श्लोक 9.16
अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम् ।
मन्त्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम् ॥
ahaṃ kraturahaṃ yajñaḥ svadhāhamahamauṣadham |
mantro'hamahamevājyamahamagnirahaṃ hutam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
मैं ही क्रतु हूँ, मैं ही यज्ञ हूँ, पितरों को दिया जाने वाला स्वधा मैं हूँ, औषधि मैं हूँ। मंत्र मैं हूँ, घी मैं हूँ, अग्नि मैं हूँ और आहुति भी मैं ही हूँ।
Meaning in English
I am the ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering to the ancestors, I am the healing herb. I am the sacred chant, I am the ghee, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering.
Bhagavad Gita 9.16 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अहम् क्रतुः | aham kratuḥ | I am the Vedic rite |
| अहम् यज्ञः | aham yajñaḥ | I am the sacrifice |
| स्वधा अहम् | svadhā aham | I am the offering to the ancestors |
| अहम् औषधम् | aham auṣadham | I am the healing herb |
| मन्त्रः अहम् | mantraḥ aham | I am the sacred chant |
| अहम् एव आज्यम् | aham eva ājyam | I am the ghee |
| अहम् अग्निः | aham agniḥ | I am the fire |
| अहम् हुतम् | aham hutam | I am the act of offering |
Explanation
I am the Vedic rite, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering to the ancestors, I am the healing herb. I am the sacred chant, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering.
Krishna identifies himself with every element of the Vedic fire ritual, which shaped the religious life of ancient India. Kratu is a specific Vedic rite, yajna sacrifice in general, svadha the offering to the ancestors, aushadha the plant-based food or herb offered. The verse echoes 4.24, where offering, offerer, fire and goal are all Brahman. Shankara reads it as showing that God is the whole of every act of worship. Ramanuja says it shows that the Lord is the inner reality of all things. Every act of devotion is thus God meeting God.
भावार्थ
मैं ही क्रतु हूँ, मैं ही यज्ञ हूँ, मैं ही स्वधा हूँ, मैं ही औषधि हूँ, मैं ही मन्त्र हूँ, मैं ही घृत हूँ, मैं ही अग्नि हूँ और मैं ही हवन की क्रिया हूँ।
Living it today
In your next puja, meal or act of service, see every part of it as sacred. The ordinary becomes worship when seen this way.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 9.16?
I am the Vedic rite, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering to the ancestors, I am the healing herb. I am the sacred chant, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.16?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 9 (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 9.16 in daily life?
In your next puja, meal or act of service, see every part of it as sacred. The ordinary becomes worship when seen this way.
Reflected on verse 9.16?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.