Bhagavad Gita · Verse 15.18
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (पुरुषोत्तमयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः । अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥१८॥
yasmātkṣaramatīto'hamakṣarādapi cottamaḥ | ato'smi loke vede ca prathitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
Because I transcend the perishable and am higher even than the imperishable, I am celebrated in the world and in the Vedas as Purushottama, the Supreme Person.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पुरुषोत्तम | puruṣottama | Supreme Person |
| अतीत | atīta | beyond |
| यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि | yasmātkṣaramatīto'hamakṣarādapi | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
| चोत्तमः | cottamaḥ | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
| अतोऽस्मि | ato'smi | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
| लोके | loke | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
| वेदे | vede | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
| प्रथितः | ca | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
| पुरुषोत्तमः | prathitaḥ | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
| १८ | puruṣottamaḥ | [term] in context of Because I transcend the perish... |
Supreme Person
beyond
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
[term] in context of Because I transcend the perish...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna explicitly identifies Himself as the Supreme Person described in 15.17. The title explains the chapter's name and gathers the preceding discussion of divine sustenance into its central theological claim.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Allow spiritual inquiry to reach beyond familiar categories."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which familiar categories limit your spiritual inquiry?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.