कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन्गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे ।
अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवासत्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत् ॥
अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवासत्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे महात्मन् गुरुओंके भी गुरु और ब्रह्माके भी आदिकर्ता आपके लिये वे सिद्धगण नमस्कार क्यों नहीं करें क्योंकि हे अनन्त हे देवेश हे जगन्निवास आप अक्षरस्वरूप हैं आप सत् भी हैं, असत् भी हैं, और सत्असत् से पर भी जो कुछ है, वह भी आप ही हैं ॥
English
O great one, why would the perfected beings not bow to you, the greatest teacher, the first maker even of Brahma? Endless Lord of radiant beings, abode of the world, you are the imperishable, the real and the unreal, and beyond both.
What this verse means
Arjuna asks why anyone would not bow to Krishna, who is greater than even Brahma and beyond all categories of existence and nonexistence.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna has seen Krishna's cosmic form and is overwhelmed. His fear turns into reverence as he names Krishna greater than Brahma, the first creator, and beyond all opposites. This verse deepens the prayer before Arjuna asks for mercy.
Why this verse still matters
You stand before a truth that breaks your categories — a diagnosis, a betrayal, a calling you cannot ignore. The mind reaches for labels and fails; reverence begins where certainty ends.
The takeaway
Awe becomes natural when the mind meets something larger than every label it uses.
Word-by-word translation
कस्मात् (why) / च (and) / ते (to you) / न (not) / नमेरन् (would bow) / महात्मन् (O great one) / गरीयसे (to the greater) / ब्रह्मणः (than Brahma) / अपि (even) / आदिकर्त्रे (to the first maker) / अनन्त (endless) / देवेश (Lord of radiant beings) / जगन्निवास (abode of the world) / त्वम् (you) / अक्षरम् (imperishable) / सत् (being) / असत् (non-being) / तत् परम् (beyond that) / यत् (which)
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), cosmic form (25 verses), surrender (23 verses)