Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 18

English Translation

(I am) the fruit of actions, the nourisher, the Lord, witness, abode, refuge, friend, origin, end, foundation, store and the imperishable seed.

Detailed Commentary

When one recognizes the true nature (*Swaroopa*) of Bhagavān and connects with Him, this connection is with Truth itself. The principle is that there should be no doubt whatsoever in the mind. Through knowledge, an individual perceives only the essence of the Supreme Being (*Paramātmā*) everywhere — in all places, times, objects, persons, etc. He has no doubt that apart from the Supreme Being, no object, person, event, circumstance, or action has an independent existence. Similarly, Bhagavān manifests in various forms as the Universal Form (*Virat Rūpa*); hence, everything is Bhagavān Himself — there should be no doubt about this either. Such doubt distances one from the true reality and leads to great problems. Therefore, it must be firmly understood that everything visible in the form of causes and effects is Bhagavān Himself. The all-pervasiveness of Bhagavān is described from the 16th to the 19th verse. "‘*Ahaṁ Kratu-r-ahaṁ Yajñaḥ Svadhā-ham-aham-auṣadham*’ – What is performed according to Vedic rites is called *Kratu*. That *Kratu* I am. What is performed by *Smārta* (Paurāṇika) methods is called *Yajña*. That *Yajña* also I am. The food offered to the ancestors (*Pitṛs*) is called *Svadhā*. That *Svadhā* also I am. For these *Kratu*, *Yajña*, and *Svadhā*, the essential herbs, plants, sesame, barley, etc., the *Auṣadham*, I alone am. "‘*Mantro-‘ham-aham-evājyam-aham-agnir-ahaṁ Hutam*’ – The *Mantras* with which *Kratu*, *Yajña*, and *Svadhā* are performed, those *Mantras* also I am. The clarified butter (*Ghṛta*) essential for *Yajña*, that *Ghṛta* also I am. The fire (*Agni*) into which oblations are offered, that *Agni* also I am, and the act of oblation (*Havana*) itself I am. "‘*Vedyam Pavītra-m-Omkāra Ṛk-Sāma Yaju-r-eva ca*’ – That which is to be known by understanding the Vedic injunctions is *Vedyam*. That is, the procedural regulations in Vedic and scriptural rituals—that *Vedyam* is My form. When *Yajña*, charity (*Dāna*), and austerity (*Tapa*) are performed with a pure heart, they bestow special purity. The sacrificial materials consumed and the actions performed in these are also pure. This purity (*Pavitra*) is My form. In *Kratu*, *Yajña*, etc., the sound ‘*Oṁ*’ is uttered. Through the utterance of this ‘*Oṁ*’, *Mantras* become fruitful. All Vedic practitioners begin their actions with ‘*Oṁ*’. Therefore, Bhagavān has declared *Praṇava* (*Oṁ*) as His own form. The *Ṛgveda*, *Sāmaveda*, and *Yajurveda* – all three *Vedas* are forms of Bhagavān. "‘*Pitā-ham-asya Jagato Mātā Dhātā Pitāmahaḥ*’ – I alone create and sustain this universe (*Jagat*). Therefore, I am the ‘*Pitā*’ (Father). In the Eleventh Chapter, Arjuna also said, ‘You are the Father of the moving and unmoving world’ (*Pitāsi Lokasya Carācarasya*). I uphold the universe and am also its Ordainer. Therefore, I am the ‘*Dhātā*’. I am the ‘*Mātā*’ (Mother) who provides bodies to all beings according to their needs. Lord *Brahmā* is considered the creator of the universe, but he too originates from Me. From this perspective, I am the ‘*Pitāmaha*’ (Grandfather) of *Brahmā* and the universe. Arjuna also referred to Bhagavān as the prime creator of *Brahmā* (*Brahmaṇo-‘py-Ādikartre*). "‘*Gati-r-Bhartā Prabhuḥ Sākṣī Nivāsaḥ Śaraṇaṁ Suhṛt*’ – For beings, the supreme principle, the ‘*Gati*’ (Goal/Destination), I alone am. The maintainer of the world is the ‘*Bhartā*’ (Sustainer), and the master is the ‘*Prabhu*’ (Lord), I am. The knower of all is the ‘*Sākṣī*’ (Witness), I am. The abode (*Nivāsa*) of all beings, I am. The giver of refuge to all is the ‘*Śaraṇa*’ (Refuge), I am. The benefactor who acts for the good of all without cause, the ‘*Suhṛt*’ (Friend), also I am. "‘*Prabhavaḥ Pralayaḥ Sthānaṁ Nidhānaṁ Bījam-avyayam*’ – The entire universe originates from Me and dissolves into Me. Therefore, I am the ‘*Prabhava*’ (Origin) and ‘*Pralaya*’ (Dissolution). At the time of great dissolution (*Mahāpralaya*), everything resides within Me; hence, I am the ‘*Sthāna*’ (Abode/Foundation). In every state of the universe, everything resides within Me. Therefore, I am the ‘*Nidhānam*’ (Storehouse/Treasure). The seed (*Bīja*) of the universe originates from Me, but it is not destroyed. I am beginningless (*Anādi*) and create infinite universes. Therefore, I am the ‘*Avyaya Bīja*’ (Imperishable Seed)."