Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 17

English Translation

Of this world I am the father, mother, ordainer, (and the), grand-father; I am the knowable, the sancitifier, the syllable Om as also Rk, Sama and Yajus.

Detailed Commentary

Connecting with the Supreme Being by assuming any form of the Divine according to one's inclination and faith establishes a relationship rooted in Truth. There should simply be no doubt in the mind. Just as through knowledge, one perceives the Supreme Being in all places, objects, individuals, etc., and has no doubt because nothing exists apart from the Supreme Being. The Lord manifests in countless forms within the Virat Rupa (Cosmic Form); this is the truth, and there should be no doubt about it. Doubt distances the seeker from liberation and traps them in problems. Therefore, in every cause and effect, it is the Lord alone. The pervasiveness of the Lord is described in verses 16 to 19. "Ahaṁ kraturaṁ yajñaḥ svadhāhamahamauṣadham" — The Vedic ritual (yajña) performed according to prescribed rules is 'Kratu', and I am that. The yajña performed according to Puranic traditions is also I. The food offered to ancestors is 'Svadhā', and that too am I. The necessary medicinal herbs for the yajña are also I. "Mantro'hamahamevājyamaagnirahaṁ hutam" — The mantras, ghee (clarified butter), fire (Agni), and the act of oblation (homa) used in the yajña are also I. "Vedyam pavitramoṁkāra Ṛksāma Yajureva ca" — That which is to be known from the Vedas is 'Vedya', which is My very nature. Yajña (sacrifices), Dāna (charity), and Tapa (austerity) — all three are great purifiers. Objects spent selflessly become purified, and actions performed with a selfless attitude are also purified. This purity is My very nature. The Rigveda, Samaveda, and Yajurveda among the Vedas are manifestations of the Lord. "Pitāhamasya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ" — I am the creator and protector of this universe. I am the 'Pitā' (father) of the world. I am the 'Dhātā' (sustainer, dispenser) who establishes the order of the world. I am the 'Mātā' (mother) of all beings. As creation originates through Brahmā, I am the 'Pitā' (father) of Brahmā and the 'Pitāmaha' (grandfather) of the world. "Gatirbhartā Prabhuḥ sākṣī nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṁ suhṛt" — I am the ultimate goal 'Gati' for the world, the nourisher 'Bhartā', the master 'Prabhu', the witness 'Sākṣī' who knows all, the abode 'Nivāsa', the refuge 'Śaraṇa', and the selfless friend 'Suhṛt' who wishes well without cause. "Prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ nidhānaṁ bījamavyayam" — The origination of creation and its final dissolution occur through Me, therefore I am 'Prabhava' (origin) and 'Pralaya' (dissolution). During the Mahāpralaya (Great Dissolution), the universe rests within Me, therefore I am the 'Sthāna' (abode). All that exists in the world resides within Me, therefore I am 'Nidhāna' (treasure-house, repository). I am the 'Avyaya Bīja' (imperishable seed).