त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् ।
वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धामत्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ॥
वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धामत्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
आप ही आदिदेव और पुराणपुरुष हैं तथा आप ही इस संसारके परम आश्रय हैं । आप ही सबको जाननेवाले, जाननेयोग्य और परमधाम हैं । हे अनन्तरूप आपसे ही सम्पूर्ण संसार व्याप्त है ॥
English
You are the first divine presence, the ancient person, the supreme refuge of this universe. You are the knower, the knowable, and the highest abode. O infinite one, the whole world is pervaded by you.
What this verse means
Arjuna sees Krishna as the first source, the ancient being, the highest refuge, and the one who pervades everything. Krishna is both the knower and the known.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is overwhelmed by Krishna’s cosmic form. After asking why the wise would not bow, he now names what he sees: Krishna as the first source, the ancient being, the highest refuge, and the power filling all existence.
Why this verse still matters
You stand before a decision that could change your life, and the room feels too small for it. This verse speaks to the moment when you realise the thing you seek is also what holds the whole scene together.
The takeaway
Reverence deepens when the mind sees that everything rests in one all-pervading reality.
Word-by-word translation
त्वम् (you are) / आदिदेवः (the first divine being) / पुरुषः (the supreme person) / पुराणः (ancient) / त्वम् (you are) / अस्य (of this) / विश्वस्य (of the universe) / परम् (highest) / निधानम् (refuge, resting place) / वेत्ता (knower) / असि (you are) / वेद्यम् (the knowable) / च (and) / परम् (highest) / च (and) / धाम (abode) / त्वया (by you) / तम् (pervaded) / विश्वम् (the universe) / अनन्तरूप (O infinite-formed one)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga — The Universal Form, which contains 55 verses.
Explore related themes: vishwarupa (50 verses)