Bhagavad Gita · Verse 11.38
Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोगः)
(Arjuna said)
त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् । वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ॥३८॥
tvamādidevaḥ puruṣaḥ purāṇastvamasya viśvasya paraṃ nidhānam | vettāsi vedyaṃ ca paraṃ ca dhāma tvayā tataṃ viśvamanantarūpa ||38||
Complete Shloka Translation
You are the primal deity, the ancient Person, the ultimate resting place of this universe. You are the knower, the known and the highest abode. Infinite in form, You pervade the whole universe.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| वेत्ता | vettā | knower |
| वेद्य | vedya | that which is to be known |
| त्वमादिदेवः | tvamādidevaḥ | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| पुरुषः | puruṣaḥ | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| पुराणस्त्वमस्य | purāṇastvamasya | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| विश्वस्य | viśvasya | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| परं | paraṃ | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| निधानम् | nidhānam | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| वेत्तासि | vettāsi | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| वेद्यं | vedyaṃ | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| धाम | paraṃ | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| त्वया | ca | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| ततं | dhāma | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| विश्वमनन्तरूप | tvayā | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
| ३८ | tataṃ | [term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ... |
knower
that which is to be known
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
[term] in context of You are the primal deity, the ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The praise joins cosmic sourcehood with knowing and being known. Its language invites contemplation rather than a narrow definition.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Ask how knowledge, its object and our deepest refuge are connected."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How does what you seek to know shape your sense of refuge?
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.