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.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.38
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 ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
त्वम्you areआदिदेवःthe first divine beingपुरुषःthe supreme personपुराणःancientत्वम्you areअस्यof thisविश्वस्यof the universeपरम्highestनिधानम्refuge, resting placeवेत्ताknowerअसिyou areवेद्यम्the knowableचandपरम्highestचandधामabodeत्वयाby youतम्pervadedविश्वम्the universeअनन्तरूपO infinite-formed one
Read literallyyou are · the first divine being · the supreme person · ancient · you are · of this · of the universe · highest · refuge, resting place · knower · you are · the knowable · and · highest · and · abode · by you · pervaded · the universe · O infinite-formed one
Understanding the verse
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It shifts devotion from admiration to recognition: the sacred is not elsewhere, but already permeating all experience.
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.
02
On the battlefield
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.
03
In your life
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.”
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.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.38?
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 11.38?
Verse 38 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 11.38 matter today?
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.
It shifts devotion from admiration to recognition: the sacred is not elsewhere, but already permeating all experience.
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.
“Reverence deepens when the mind sees that everything rests in one all-pervading reality.”
Explore related themes: vishwarupa (50 verses)