Bhagavad Gita · Verse 9.16
Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga (राजविद्याराजगुह्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम् । मन्त्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम् ॥१६॥
ahaṃ kraturahaṃ yajñaḥ svadhāhamahamauṣadham | mantro'hamahamevājyamahamagnirahaṃ hutam ||16||
Complete Shloka Translation
I am the Vedic rite, the sacrifice, the ancestral offering and the ritual herb; I am the mantra, the clarified butter, the fire and the offering placed in it.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| स्वधा | svadhā | ancestral offering formula |
| आज्यम् | ājyam | clarified butter for sacrifice |
| अहं | ahaṃ | [term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri... |
| क्रतुरहं | kraturahaṃ | [term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri... |
| यज्ञः | yajñaḥ | [term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri... |
| स्वधाहमहमौषधम् | svadhāhamahamauṣadham | [term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri... |
| मन्त्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं | mantro'hamahamevājyamahamagnirahaṃ | [term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri... |
| हुतम् | hutam | [term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri... |
| १६ | hutam | [term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri... |
ancestral offering formula
clarified butter for sacrifice
[term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri...
[term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri...
[term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri...
[term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri...
[term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri...
[term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri...
[term] in context of I am the Vedic rite, the sacri...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna identifies Himself with the components of sacred offering. The ritual vocabulary locates this affirmation within traditional worship, extending divine presence to means as well as ends.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Consider the meaning that connects an act, its materials and its intention."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What joins an action's materials and its intention?
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.