Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 16

English Translation

I am the kratu, I am the yajna, I am the svadha, I am the ausadha, I am the mantra, I Myself am the ajya, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering.

Detailed Commentary

If one establishes a relationship with anything, considering it as a form of the Supreme Being (Paramātmā) according to one's preference, faith, and belief, then this relationship is, in reality, with the Truth itself. There should not be the slightest doubt in the mind and intellect. Just as, through knowledge, a human being recognizes the one Paramātmā Tattva in every place, time, object, person, etc. Apart from Paramātmā, no object, person, event, situation, or action possesses independent existence – there should be not the slightest doubt about this. Bhagavān manifests in countless forms through His cosmic (Virāṭ) form; therefore, everything is Bhagavān Himself – there should be no doubt about this. If there arises a doubt like, 'How can all this be Bhagavān?', then the Sādhaka (spiritual aspirant) is deprived of Tattvajñāna (knowledge of the Truth) and Mokṣa (liberation), and gets entangled in great difficulty. Therefore, firmly accept that whatever is seen, heard, understood, and believed, all of it is Bhagavān. On this basis, the all-pervasiveness (Sarvavyāpakatā) of Bhagavān is described in verses sixteen to nineteen. 'Aham Kratuḥ Aham Yajñaḥ Svadhā Aham Aham Auṣadham' — That which is performed according to Vedic rites is 'Kratu,' and that Kratu am I. That which is performed according to Paurāṇic (traditional) rites is 'Yajña,' and that Yajña too am I. The food offered to the ancestors (Pitṛs) is called Svadhā, and that Svadhā too am I. All the plants and medicinal herbs essential for these Kratu, Yajña, and Svadhā – all of them am I. 'Mantraḥ Aham Aham Eva Ājyam Aham Agniḥ Aham Hutam' — The Mantra by which Kratu, Yajña, and Svadhā are performed, that Mantra too am I. The cow-ghee (clarified butter) necessary for the Yajña too am I. The Agni (sacred fire) in which oblations are offered, that Agni too am I, and the act of offering oblations (Havana) too am I. 'Vedyam Pavitram Omkāra Ṛk Sāma Yajur Eva Ca' — To correctly know the procedures of the Vedas is 'Vedyam.' Vedic and Śāstric Kratu, Yajña, etc., should be performed with proper rituals and injunctions. All matters worthy of such injunctions are called 'Vedyam,' and that Vedyam is My very form. Yajña (sacrifice), Dāna (charity), and Tapas (austerity) — these three purify a person. The oblations (Havya) and other items offered without desire (Niṣkāma Bhāva) become sacred, and the actions performed without desire in these also become sacred. This sacredness (Pavitratā) is My very form. Among the Ṛcās (verses) chanted for the performance of Kratu, Yajña, etc., the chanting of Omkāra (Praṇava) comes first. All actions of the Vedavādins (knowers/reciters of Vedas) begin with the chanting of Praṇava. Therefore, Bhagavān has declared Praṇava as His own form. The Ṛgveda, Sāmaveda, and Yajurveda, which describe the methods for these Kratu, Yajña, etc. — these three Vedas are also forms of Bhagavān. 'Pitā Aham Asya Jagataḥ Mātā Dhātā Pitāmahaḥ' — I alone create this world and protect it. Arjuna has also stated that 'You are the father of this movable and immovable universe.' I sustain the world in every way, therefore I am 'Dhātā.' I generate all the different kinds of bodies that beings require in their respective species. Brahmājī is the creator of the universe. From this perspective, I am the father of Brahmājī and the 'Pitāmaha' (grandfather) of all beings. Arjuna has referred to Bhagavān as the originator of Brahmā. 'Gatiḥ Bhartā Prabhuḥ Sākṣī Nivāsaḥ Śaraṇaṃ Suhṛt' — Whatever is the supreme goal for living beings, that 'Gati' (destination/goal) am I. The 'Bhartā' (sustainer/supporter) who nourishes the world, and the 'Prabhu' (Lord/master) of the world, am I. The 'Sākṣī' (witness) who knows all things perfectly, am I. 'Prabhavaḥ Pralayaḥ Sthānaṃ Nidhānaṃ Bījam Avyayam' — The entire universe originates from Me and dissolves into Me, therefore I am 'Prabhava' (origin) and 'Pralaya' (dissolution). I am both the efficient cause (Nimitta Kāraṇa) and the material cause (Upādāna Kāraṇa) of the universe. During Mahāpralaya (the great cosmic dissolution), this entire universe resides within Me, therefore I am the 'Sthāna' (abode) of the universe. Whether in the state of creation or dissolution, everything resides within Me, therefore I am 'Nidhāna' (repository/treasure-house). Worldly seeds are born and perish, but I do not. I am the 'Avyaya Bīja' (imperishable seed).