You are the father of all moving and unmoving beings, the highest object of reverence, and the greatest teacher. In the three worlds, no one equals you, much less surpasses you.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.43
Hindi · हिन्दी
आप ही इस चराचर संसारके पिता हैं, आप ही पूजनीय हैं और आप ही गुरुओंके महान् गुरु हैं । हे अनन्त प्रभावशाली भगवन् इस त्रिलोकीमें आपके समान भी दूसरा कोई नहीं है, फिर अधिक तो हो ही कैसे सकता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
पिताfatherअसिareलोकस्यof the worldचराचरस्यof the moving and unmovingत्वम्youअस्यof thisपूज्यःworthy of worshipचandगुरुःteacherगरीयान्the greatestनnotत्वत्समःequal to youअस्तिthere isअभ्यधिकःgreaterकुतःhowअन्यःanotherलोकत्रयेin the three worldsअपिevenअप्रतिमप्रभावof unmatched power
Read literallyfather · are · of the world · of the moving and unmoving · you · of this · worthy of worship · and · teacher · the greatest · not · equal to you · there is · greater · how · another · in the three worlds · even · of unmatched power
Understanding the verse
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Father of all beings, highest teacher, unequalled in the three worlds: Arjuna names Krishna after apologising for familiarity.
Arjuna recognizes Krishna as the father, teacher, and highest object of reverence for all beings. No one in the three worlds is equal to him.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna has just seen Krishna's cosmic form and is overwhelmed. After apologizing for his earlier familiarity, he now names Krishna as the source, teacher, and unmatched power behind all existence.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Some people meet their old school principal decades later and suddenly stand straighter. Arjuna, who joked with Krishna for years, now calls him father and teacher of all beings, with no equal in the three worlds.
The takeaway
“Awe becomes humility when you finally see what stands before you.”
Arjuna recognizes Krishna as the father, teacher, and highest object of reverence for all beings. No one in the three worlds is equal to him.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.43?
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 11.43?
Verse 43 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 11.43 matter today?
Some people meet their old school principal decades later and suddenly stand straighter. Arjuna, who joked with Krishna for years, now calls him father and teacher of all beings, with no equal in the three worlds.
Father of all beings, highest teacher, unequalled in the three worlds: Arjuna names Krishna after apologising for familiarity.
What this verse means
Arjuna recognizes Krishna as the father, teacher, and highest object of reverence for all beings. No one in the three worlds is equal to him.
Context & commentary
Arjuna has just seen Krishna's cosmic form and is overwhelmed. After apologizing for his earlier familiarity, he now names Krishna as the source, teacher, and unmatched power behind all existence.
What it looks like today
Some people meet their old school principal decades later and suddenly stand straighter. Arjuna, who joked with Krishna for years, now calls him father and teacher of all beings, with no equal in the three worlds.
“Awe becomes humility when you finally see what stands before you.”
Explore related themes: vishwarupa (50 verses), arjuna prayer (14 verses)