I am the father of this world, the mother, the supporter, and the grandfather. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier, the sacred syllable Om, and also the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Vedas.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 9.17
Hindi · हिन्दी
क्रतु मैं हूँ, यज्ञ मैं हूँ, स्वधा मैं हूँ, औषध मैं हूँ, मन्त्र मैं हूँ, घृत मैं हूँ, अग्नि मैं हूँ और हवनरूप क्रिया भी मैं हूँ । जाननेयोग्य पवित्र, ओंकार, ऋग्वेद, सामवेद और यजुर्वेद भी मैं ही हूँ । इस सम्पूर्ण जगत् का पिता, धाता, माता, पितामह, गति, भर्ता, प्रभु, साक्षी, निवास, आश्रय, सुहृद्, उत्पत्ति, प्रलय, स्थान, निधान तथा अविनाशी बीज भी मैं ही हूँ ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
पिताfatherअहम्I amअस्यof thisजगतःworldमाताmotherधाताsupporterपितामहःgrandfatherवेद्यम्to be knownओंकारsacred syllable Omऋक्RigसामSamaयजुःYajurएवindeedचand
Read literallyfather · I am · of this · world · mother · supporter · grandfather · to be known · sacred syllable Om · Rig · Sama · Yajur · indeed · and
Understanding the verse
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Father, mother, grandfather, Om and the three Vedas: Krishna claims to be both family and scripture to the world.
Krishna says he is the world’s father, mother, supporter, and ancestor. He is also the sacred sound Om and the Vedas themselves.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
After naming himself as the fire, the offering, and the rite, Krishna widens the vision: he is the world’s source, support, and sacred knowing itself.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
When a grandparent dies and the family order you grew up with falls apart, Krishna's list of father, mother, supporter and grandfather says the ground under all of them is still there.
The takeaway
“You are held by something larger than family, ritual, or language.”
Krishna says he is the world’s father, mother, supporter, and ancestor. He is also the sacred sound Om and the Vedas themselves.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.17?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga" (The Royal Knowledge).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 9.17?
Verse 17 sits in Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, "The Royal Knowledge". The chapter has 34 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 9.17 matter today?
When a grandparent dies and the family order you grew up with falls apart, Krishna's list of father, mother, supporter and grandfather says the ground under all of them is still there.
Father, mother, grandfather, Om and the three Vedas: Krishna claims to be both family and scripture to the world.
What this verse means
Krishna says he is the world’s father, mother, supporter, and ancestor. He is also the sacred sound Om and the Vedas themselves.
Context & commentary
After naming himself as the fire, the offering, and the rite, Krishna widens the vision: he is the world’s source, support, and sacred knowing itself.
What it looks like today
When a grandparent dies and the family order you grew up with falls apart, Krishna's list of father, mother, supporter and grandfather says the ground under all of them is still there.
“You are held by something larger than family, ritual, or language.”
Explore related themes: vibhuti (43 verses)