Salutations to you from the front, from behind, and from every side. You are endless power and immeasurable might; you pervade all and therefore are all.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.40
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे सर्व आपको आगेसे भी नमस्कार हो पीछेसे भी नमस्कार हो सब ओरसे ही नमस्कार हो हे अनन्तवीर्य अमित विक्रमवाले आपने सबको समावृत कर रखा है अतः सब कुछ आप ही हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
नमःsalutationपुरस्तात्from the frontअथandपृष्ठतःfrom behindतेto youनमः अस्तुlet there be salutationतेto youसर्वतःfrom every sideएवindeedसर्वallअनन्त-वीर्यendless powerअमित-विक्रमimmeasurable mightत्वम्youसर्वम्allसमाप्नोषिpervade, encompassततःthereforeअसिareसर्वःall
Read literallysalutation · from the front · and · from behind · to you · let there be salutation · to you · from every side · indeed · all · endless power · immeasurable might · you · all · pervade, encompass · therefore · are · all
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from self-importance to reverent surrender before what exceeds control.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Arjuna bows to Krishna from every direction, recognizing that Krishna pervades everything and is beyond ordinary limits.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna has just seen Krishna's cosmic form and can barely hold himself together. The vision overwhelms him, and this verse becomes a full-body bow: front, back, and every direction. He recognises Krishna as all-pervading and beyond measure.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You stand speechless after a moment that dwarfs your pride — a hospital corridor, a funeral, a birth, a breakup. Some encounters leave only one honest response: bowing inwardly.
The takeaway
“Awe becomes humility when you realize nothing stands outside the divine presence.”
Arjuna bows to Krishna from every direction, recognizing that Krishna pervades everything and is beyond ordinary limits.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.40?
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 11.40?
Verse 40 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 11.40 matter today?
You stand speechless after a moment that dwarfs your pride — a hospital corridor, a funeral, a birth, a breakup. Some encounters leave only one honest response: bowing inwardly.
It shifts the mind from self-importance to reverent surrender before what exceeds control.
What this verse means
Arjuna bows to Krishna from every direction, recognizing that Krishna pervades everything and is beyond ordinary limits.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna has just seen Krishna's cosmic form and can barely hold himself together. The vision overwhelms him, and this verse becomes a full-body bow: front, back, and every direction. He recognises Krishna as all-pervading and beyond measure.
Why this verse still matters
You stand speechless after a moment that dwarfs your pride — a hospital corridor, a funeral, a birth, a breakup. Some encounters leave only one honest response: bowing inwardly.
“Awe becomes humility when you realize nothing stands outside the divine presence.”
Explore related themes: arjuna (52 verses), vishwarupa (50 verses), cosmic form (25 verses)