Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 20

English Translation

O Gudakesa, I am the Self residing in the hearts of all beings, and I am the beginning and the middle as also the end of (all) beings.

Detailed Commentary

The worship of Bhagavan is of two types. Firstly, the *sadhaka* should not contemplate anyone else besides their *Ishta*, and even if it happens, they should redirect their mind back to the contemplation of their *Ishta-deva*. Secondly, if the mind contemplates worldly characteristics, it should understand them as the characteristics of Bhagavan. It is here that the *Vibhūtis* (divine manifestations) are described. This means, wherever the mind goes, it should be the contemplation of Bhagavan, and not of that object or person. 'I am the beginning, the middle, and also the end of all beings.' Here Bhagavan has stated the essence of all His *Vibhūtis*: that 'I am indeed the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings.' It is a rule that whatever object is subject to origination and destruction, the essence that remains at its beginning and end, is also the same essence in its middle. For example, ornaments made of gold are gold at the beginning, remain gold at the end, and are also gold in between. Despite having different names, forms, uses, measurements, and weights, the ornaments remain gold. Similarly, all beings are also of the nature of the *Paramātman*. Bhagavan has said that 'I am in the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings.' In this chapter on *Vibhūtis*, Bhagavan has described His divine manifestations in three places. Firstly, in this *śloka*, He stated that 'I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings.' In other *ślokas* in between, He said that 'I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all creations (*sargas*),' and finally, He said that 'I am the seed of all beings.' Without Me, there is no being. This is the essence of the *Vibhūtis*. This means, whatever else is seen besides these characteristics, that too is a *Vibhūti* of Bhagavan. In this *śloka*, Bhagavan has declared the *Ātman*, which is the very essence of living beings, as His *Vibhūti*. Then, in other *ślokas*, He described His *Vibhūti* in the form of creation (*sṛṣṭi*), and finally, He described His *Vibhūti* in the form of the seed, stating that 'I am indeed the seed of all.' In these *ślokas*, Bhagavan has described His primary *Vibhūtis*. The *sadhaka* should not focus on the greatness, beauty, etc., of the *Vibhūtis*. All these are Bhagavan Himself. Arjuna's question pertains to the contemplation of Bhagavan, not the contemplation of any object or person. 'I am the Self, O Guḍākeśa, seated in the hearts of all beings.' When the *sadhaka* looks at beings, they should contemplate Bhagavan in this manner: 'Bhagavan alone is present as the *Ātman* in all beings.' When their gaze falls upon creation (*sṛṣṭi*), they should contemplate Bhagavan in this manner: 'Bhagavan alone is in the beginning, the middle, and the end of this creation, which is subject to origination and destruction.' When they look towards the origin of beings, they should contemplate Bhagavan in this manner: 'Bhagavan alone is in the form of the seed; without Bhagavan, no being exists.'