Bhagavad Gita · Verse 7.9
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
पुण्यो गन्धः पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ । जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु ॥९॥
puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṃ ca tejaścāsmi vibhāvasau | jīvanaṃ sarvabhūteṣu tapaścāsmi tapasviṣu ||9||
Complete Shloka Translation
I am the pure fragrance in the earth and the radiance in fire; I am life in all beings and austerity in those who practice it.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| जीवनम् | jīvanam | life |
| तपः | tapaḥ | spiritual austerity |
| पुण्यो | puṇyo | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| गन्धः | gandhaḥ | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| पृथिव्यां | pṛthivyāṃ | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| तेजश्चास्मि | ca | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| विभावसौ | tejaścāsmi | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| जीवनं | vibhāvasau | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| सर्वभूतेषु | jīvanaṃ | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| तपश्चास्मि | sarvabhūteṣu | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
| तपस्विषु | tapaścāsmi | [term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the... |
life
spiritual austerity
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
[term] in context of I am the pure fragrance in the...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The examples move from earth and fire to living beings and disciplined practice. Tapas names spiritual austerity here, rather than suffering undertaken simply for its own sake.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Respect for life can grow from noticing its quiet presence around you."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where could you show greater respect for life?
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.