You are the imperishable supreme reality, the highest support of this world, the guardian of eternal dharma, and the eternal person.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.18
Hindi · हिन्दी
आप ही जाननेयोग्य परम अक्षर अक्षरब्रह्म हैं, आप ही इस सम्पूर्ण विश्वके परम आश्रय हैं, आप ही सनातनधर्मके रक्षक हैं और आप ही अविनाशी सनातन पुरुष हैं ऐसा मैं मानता हूँ ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
त्वम्youअक्षरम्imperishableपरमम्supremeवेदितव्यम्to be knownत्वम्youअस्यof thisविश्वस्यof the universeपरम्highestनिधानम्support, resting placeत्वम्youअव्ययःunchangingशाश्वत-धर्म-गोप्ताguardian of eternal dharmaसनातनःeternalत्वम्youपुरुषःpersonमतःconsideredमेby me
Read literallyyou · imperishable · supreme · to be known · you · of this · of the universe · highest · support, resting place · you · unchanging · guardian of eternal dharma · eternal · you · person · considered · by me
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from seeing power as force to seeing it as the ground that holds all order.
Arjuna recognizes Krishna as the highest imperishable reality, the universe's support, the protector of eternal dharma, and the eternal person.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still overwhelmed by Krishna's cosmic form. After seeing limitless faces and forms, he tries to name what he is beholding: the imperishable source, the world's support, and the guardian of eternal order.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You stand before a decision that could reshape your life, and the usual markers fail. In that moment, the mind reaches for something unshakable to trust.
The takeaway
“Awe turns into trust when the mind sees what never changes.”
Arjuna recognizes Krishna as the highest imperishable reality, the universe's support, the protector of eternal dharma, and the eternal person.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.18?
Arjuna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga" (The Universal Form).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 11.18?
Verse 18 sits in Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, "The Universal Form". The chapter has 55 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 11.18 matter today?
You stand before a decision that could reshape your life, and the usual markers fail. In that moment, the mind reaches for something unshakable to trust.
It shifts the mind from seeing power as force to seeing it as the ground that holds all order.
What this verse means
Arjuna recognizes Krishna as the highest imperishable reality, the universe's support, the protector of eternal dharma, and the eternal person.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still overwhelmed by Krishna's cosmic form. After seeing limitless faces and forms, he tries to name what he is beholding: the imperishable source, the world's support, and the guardian of eternal order.
Why this verse still matters
You stand before a decision that could reshape your life, and the usual markers fail. In that moment, the mind reaches for something unshakable to trust.
“Awe turns into trust when the mind sees what never changes.”
Explore related themes: vishwarupa (50 verses), krishna (31 verses), akshara (12 verses)