Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 38

English Translation

You are the primal Deity, the ancient Person; You are the supreme Resort of this world. You are the knower as also the object of knowledge, and the supreme Abode. O You of infinite forms, the Universe is pervaded by You!

Detailed Commentary

'You are the Ādideva, the Puruṣa, the Purāṇa.'—You are the Primal Deity (Ādideva) of all gods, for You are the first to manifest. You are the Ancient Being (Purāṇapuruṣa) because You have always existed and will always exist. 'You are the supreme substratum of this universe (Param Nidhānam).'—Whatever comes within the purview of sight, hearing, comprehension, and knowledge; and You are the ultimate support for the creation (utpatti), sustenance (sthiti), dissolution (pralaya), and all other aspects of the universe. 'You are the Knower (Vettā).'—You are the knower of the entire universe; that is, You alone are the Omniscient One (Sarvajña), knowing all of past, future, and present time, as well as all places (deśa), objects (vastu), and individuals (vyakti). 'You are the Knowable (Vedyam).'—Only You are worthy of being known through the Vedas, Shastras, Saints, Mahatmas, and similar sources. 'You are the Supreme Abode (Param Dhāma).'—That which is referred to as liberation (Moksha), the supreme state (Paramapada), and so forth; that which, once attained, ensures one does not return; and upon whose attainment there remains no need to know or acquire anything further—You are that Param Dhāma. 'You are of infinite forms (Anantarūpa).'—There is no end to the forms You manifest in Your Cosmic Form (Virāṭ Rūpa). Your infinite forms are present everywhere. 'This universe is pervaded by You (Tvayā tatam viśvam).'—This entire universe is permeated by You; that is, You alone are pervading every particle of the cosmos.