Bhagavad Gita · Verse 11.37
Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोगः)
(Arjuna said)
कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन्गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे । अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास त्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत् ॥३७॥
kasmācca te na nameranmahātmangarīyase brahmaṇo'pyādikartre | ananta deveśa jagannivāsa tvamakṣaraṃ sadasattatparaṃ yat ||37||
Complete Shloka Translation
Great Self, why should they not bow to You, who are greater than Brahma and the original creator? Infinite Lord of gods, refuge of the universe, You are the imperishable, being and nonbeing, and what lies beyond both.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आदिकर्तृ | ādikartṛ | original creator |
| अनन्त | ananta | infinite |
| कस्माच्च | kasmācca | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| ते | te | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| नमेरन्महात्मन्गरीयसे | na | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे | nameranmahātmangarīyase | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| देवेश | ananta | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| जगन्निवास | deveśa | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| त्वमक्षरं | jagannivāsa | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| सदसत्तत्परं | tvamakṣaraṃ | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| यत् | sadasattatparaṃ | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
| ३७ | yat | [term] in context of Great Self, why should they no... |
original creator
infinite
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
[term] in context of Great Self, why should they no...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Arjuna places Krishna beyond Brahma and the pair sat and asat. These philosophical terms receive distinct explanations across traditions.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Let reverence include humility before questions beyond easy categories."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which questions require humility rather than quick certainty?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to dissolve petty ego: see yourself as a humble instrument (Nimitta-matram) of a vastly larger cosmic intelligence. Let go of personal anxiety over outcomes, doing your duty with courage and dedication.