Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 9

English Translation

He who meditates on the Omniscient, the Anceint, the Ruler, subtler than the subtle, the Ordainer of everything, of inconceivable form, effulgent like the sun, and beyond darkness-(he attains the supreme Person).

Detailed Commentary

।।8.9।। Interpretation: 'Kavim' - The Paramatma who knows all beings and all their actions is called 'Kavi', meaning Sarvajna (omniscient). 'Puranam' - That Paramatma is called 'Purana' because He is the origin of all. 'Anushasitaram' - We see with our eyes, but the mind governs the eyes; the Buddhi (intellect) governs the mind, and the Aham (ego) governs the Buddhi. But He who governs even the Aham, who is the shelter, illuminator, and inspirer of all, that Paramatma is 'Anushasita' (the disciplinarian/ruler). Another perspective is that whatever the nature of people's actions, Paramatma commands them to act accordingly (through the Vedas, Shastras, Guru, Saints, etc.). And by providing favorable or unfavorable circumstances according to human beings' past actions, He purifies them. Thus, Paramatma is the ordainer of duty and non-duty, and the destroyer of Pāpa-Punya (good and bad Karma); therefore, He is called 'Anushasita'. 'Anoraniyamsam' - Paramatma is subtler than an atom, meaning He is not an object of the mind and Buddhi. Since the mind and Buddhi are products of Prakriti (nature), they cannot even grasp Prakriti; how then can they grasp Paramatma who is beyond Prakriti! Therefore, He is extremely subtle. 'Sarvasya Dhataram' - Paramatma sustains and nourishes infinite universes. From Him alone do all existence (Satta) and vital energy (Sphūrti) emanate. Therefore, He is called the sustainer and nourisher of all. 'Tamasah Parastat' - Paramatma is beyond ignorance (Ajnana) and has not even a trace of it. He is the illuminator even of ignorance. 'Adityavarnam' - His form is like the sun, meaning He illuminates all. 'Achintyarupam' - His nature (Svarupa) is inconceivable (Achintya), meaning He is not an object of thought for the mind and Buddhi. 'Anusmaret' - The term 'Anusmaret' is used here for the contemplation of Paramatma, who is Sarvajna (omniscient), Anadi (beginningless), the ruler of all, subtler than an atom, the sustainer and nourisher of all, beyond ignorance, and the illuminator of all. This implies that Paramatma encompasses all knowledge; there is nothing outside Him. After this understanding, a human being should remember Him. Here a doubt arises: how can one remember that which is inconceivable (Achintya)? The resolution is that the firm conviction, "That ultimate Paramatma-Tattva is beyond thought," itself constitutes the contemplation of the inconceivable Paramatma. Connection: Now, the movement (Gati) according to the contemplation at the final moment is described.