Bhagavad Gita · Verse 7.19
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते । वासुदेवः सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभः ॥१९॥
bahūnāṃ janmanāmante jñānavānmāṃ prapadyate | vāsudevaḥ sarvamiti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ ||19||
Complete Shloka Translation
At the end of many births, the person of knowledge takes refuge in Me, realizing that Vasudeva is all. Such a great soul is very rare.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| बहूनाम् | bahūnām | after many |
| जन्मनाम् | janmanām | births and spiritual evolution |
| अन्ते | ante | at the culmination / conclusion |
| ज्ञानवान् | jñānavān | the truly enlightened soul |
| माम् | mām | unto Me |
| प्रपद्यते | prapadyate | surrenders completely |
| वासुदेवः सर्वम् | vāsudevaḥ sarvam | realizing that Vasudeva (the Divine) is all that exists |
| इति | iti | thus seeing |
| सः | saḥ | that |
| महात्मा | mahātmā | exalted great soul |
| सु-दुर्लभः | su-durlabhaḥ | is exceedingly rare to find |
after many
births and spiritual evolution
at the culmination / conclusion
the truly enlightened soul
unto Me
surrenders completely
realizing that Vasudeva (the Divine) is all that exists
thus seeing
that
exalted great soul
is exceedingly rare to find
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Vasudeva names Krishna here, and the verse places mature knowledge within a teaching of many births. The meaning of His being all receives different philosophical explanations; it should not be silently reduced to one school.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Allow deep understanding to grow patiently beyond quick conclusions."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which understanding needs patience rather than a quick conclusion?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to look beneath external appearances in your daily life: see the underlying divine spark and interconnectedness in everyone, and seek refuge in timeless values rather than chasing fleeting superficial illusions.