यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः ।
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
मैं क्षरसे अतीत हूँ और अक्षरसे भी उत्तम हूँ, इसलिये लोकमें और वेदमें पुरुषोत्तम नामसे प्रसिद्ध हूँ ॥
English
I am beyond the perishable and even beyond the imperishable. Therefore, I am known in the world and in the Vedas as Purushottama, the Supreme Self.
What this verse means
Krishna says he is beyond both the changing world and the unchanging principle behind it. That is why he is called the Supreme Self.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen, and Krishna has been leading him through the deepest levels of reality. After explaining the perishable, the imperishable, and the supreme being beyond both, Krishna now names himself as that highest reality.
Why this verse still matters
You finally reach the thing you thought would settle everything — the title, the relationship, the achievement — and it still feels incomplete. Krishna points beyond every stopping place.
The takeaway
Reality is larger than both what fades and what seems permanent.
Word-by-word translation
यस्मात् (because) / क्षरम् (the perishable) / अतीतः (beyond) / अहम् (I) / अक्षरात् (than the imperishable) / अपि (also) / च (and) / उत्तमः (higher) / अतः (therefore) / अस्मि (I am) / लोके (in the world) / वेदे (in the Veda) / च (and) / प्रथितः (well known) / पुरुषोत्तमः (Purushottama)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga — The Yoga of the Supreme Person, which contains 20 verses.
Explore related themes: purushottama (14 verses), akshara (12 verses)