Whoever remembers the wise, ancient, ruler, subtler than the subtle, supporter of all, beyond thought, radiant like the sun, and beyond darkness...
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 8.9
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो सर्वज्ञ, पुराण, शासन करनेवाला, सूक्ष्मसेसूक्ष्म, सबका धारणपोषण करनेवाला, अज्ञानसे अत्यन्त परे, सूर्यकी तरह प्रकाशस्वरूप ऐसे अचिन्त्य स्वरूपका चिन्तन करता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
कविम्the wise oneपुराणम्the ancient oneअनुशासितारम्the rulerअणोः अणीयांसम्subtler than the subtleअनुस्मरेत्should rememberयःwhoसर्वस्यof allधातारम्supporterअचिन्त्यरूपम्of inconceivable formआदित्यवर्णम्sun-colored, radiant like the sunतमसःthan darknessपरस्तात्beyond
Read literallythe wise one · the ancient one · the ruler · subtler than the subtle · should remember · who · of all · supporter · of inconceivable form · sun-colored, radiant like the sun · than darkness · beyond
Understanding the verse
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It shifts remembrance from a person or image to the ungraspable source behind all forms.
Remember the supreme reality as wise, ancient, subtle, sustaining everything, beyond thought, radiant, and beyond darkness.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is learning how to leave the body without losing his way. Krishna now describes the reality to hold in mind at the end: ancient, subtler than anything, the support of all, beyond darkness.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
At the bedside of someone you love, words stop working. What remains is the quiet turning of attention toward what is steady when everything else is slipping.
The takeaway
“The mind steadies when it turns toward what cannot be shaken, grasped, or dimmed.”
Remember the supreme reality as wise, ancient, subtle, sustaining everything, beyond thought, radiant, and beyond darkness.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.9?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Akshara Brahma Yoga" (The Imperishable Absolute).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 8.9?
Verse 9 sits in Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita — Akshara Brahma Yoga, "The Imperishable Absolute". The chapter has 28 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 8.9 matter today?
At the bedside of someone you love, words stop working. What remains is the quiet turning of attention toward what is steady when everything else is slipping.
It shifts remembrance from a person or image to the ungraspable source behind all forms.
What this verse means
Remember the supreme reality as wise, ancient, subtle, sustaining everything, beyond thought, radiant, and beyond darkness.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is learning how to leave the body without losing his way. Krishna now describes the reality to hold in mind at the end: ancient, subtler than anything, the support of all, beyond darkness.
Why this verse still matters
At the bedside of someone you love, words stop working. What remains is the quiet turning of attention toward what is steady when everything else is slipping.
“The mind steadies when it turns toward what cannot be shaken, grasped, or dimmed.”
Explore related themes: tamas (18 verses), akshara brahma (12 verses)