Bhagavad Gita 10.14 — Arjuna's Faith: Even Gods and Demons Cannot Know the Lord
सर्वमेतदृतं मन्ये यन्मां वदसि केशव ।
न हि ते भगवन्व्यक्तिं विदुर्देवा न दानवाः ॥ १०.१४ ॥
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Arjuna said: O Krishna, I accept as true all that You tell me. O Lord, neither the gods nor the demons truly know Your manifestation.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sarvam | all |
| etat | this |
| ṛitam | true |
| manye | I accept, I regard |
| yat | which |
| mām | to me |
| vadasi | You tell |
| keśhava | O Krishna |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| hi | indeed |
| te | Your |
| bhagavan | O Lord |
| vyaktim | manifestation, true nature |
| viduḥ | know |
| devāḥ | the gods |
| na | nor |
| dānavāḥ | the demons |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sarvam | all | na | not |
| etat | this | hi | indeed |
| ṛitam | true | te | Your |
| manye | I accept, I regard | bhagavan | O Lord |
| yat | which | vyaktim | manifestation, true nature |
| mām | to me | viduḥ | know |
| vadasi | You tell | devāḥ | the gods |
| keśhava | O Krishna | na | nor |
| dānavāḥ | the demons | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Arjuna expresses complete acceptance of everything Krishna has said, calling it absolutely true, and humbly admits that neither the gods nor the demons can truly know the Lord's manifest form. The verse marks the culmination of Arjuna's faith in this section of the chapter.
Essence
Total Acceptance Born of Understanding
Sarvam etad ṛtaṁ manye (I accept all this as true): The word ṛtam signifies truth in harmony with cosmic order. Arjuna does not say "I find this agreeable" but "I consider this to be the truth." He accepts every statement Krishna has made, including that He is the source of the gods, sages and all qualities.
Keśava: Arjuna addresses Krishna by a name meaning "the slayer of the demon Keśi" or "one with beautiful hair," an affectionate name that reflects his closeness and trust.
Na hi te bhagavan vyaktiṁ vidur devā na dānavāḥ (neither gods nor demons know Your manifestation): This verse echoes verse 2. There Krishna said the gods and sages do not know His origin. Here Arjuna repeats it with humility. The word vyakti means manifestation, the way the Lord reveals Himself. Devas and dānavas, who stand at opposite ends in their nature, share one limitation: neither can know the Lord through their own power. He becomes known only when He chooses to reveal Himself.
Faith That Is Informed, Not Blind
Arjuna's acceptance is not a surrender of thought. It comes after listening, reasoning and receiving grace. This is the Gita's ideal of faith: open, humble and intelligent.
Message for Everyday Life (Humility and Wholehearted Trust)
Learn to say "I accept": When we find a truth that is clearly beneficial, acting upon it wholeheartedly is better than endless hesitation.
Remain humble about the infinite: No matter how learned or capable we become, there are dimensions of life beyond our grasp. This awareness keeps our hearts soft and our minds eager to learn.
Total Acceptance Born of Understanding
Sarvam etad ṛtaṁ manye (I accept all this as true): The word ṛtam signifies truth in harmony with cosmic order. Arjuna does not say "I find this agreeable" but "I consider this to be the truth." He accepts every statement Krishna has made, including that He is the source of the gods, sages and all qualities.
Keśava: Arjuna addresses Krishna by a name meaning "the slayer of the demon Keśi" or "one with beautiful hair," an affectionate name that reflects his closeness and trust.
Na hi te bhagavan vyaktiṁ vidur devā na dānavāḥ (neither gods nor demons know Your manifestation): This verse echoes verse 2. There Krishna said the gods and sages do not know His origin. Here Arjuna repeats it with humility. The word vyakti means manifestation, the way the Lord reveals Himself. Devas and dānavas, who stand at opposite ends in their nature, share one limitation: neither can know the Lord through their own power. He becomes known only when He chooses to reveal Himself.
Faith That Is Informed, Not Blind
Arjuna's acceptance is not a surrender of thought. It comes after listening, reasoning and receiving grace. This is the Gita's ideal of faith: open, humble and intelligent.
Message for Everyday Life (Humility and Wholehearted Trust)
Learn to say "I accept": When we find a truth that is clearly beneficial, acting upon it wholeheartedly is better than endless hesitation.
Remain humble about the infinite: No matter how learned or capable we become, there are dimensions of life beyond our grasp. This awareness keeps our hearts soft and our minds eager to learn.
Next Topic
Arjuna has humbly acknowledged that even the gods and demons cannot know the Lord's manifestation. In the next verse, he addresses Krishna with a series of reverent titles, declaring that only the Lord Himself can know Himself, and he then prays to hear about the divine glories.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Trust is the bridge between hearing and knowing.
The wise accept that some truths are revealed, not reasoned.
Real faith is the quiet confidence of the heart.
Not everything great can be explained, but it can be experienced.
A listening heart receives what a clever mind misses.
Power does not guarantee understanding.
Sometimes acceptance opens doors that analysis cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'ṛitam' (true) mean in Arjuna's statement?
What does 'manye' (I accept, I regard) show about Arjuna's attitude?
Why is Krishna addressed as 'keśhava' (O Krishna) and 'bhagavan' (O Lord) in this verse?
What is meant by 'vyaktim' (manifestation, true nature)?
Why are both 'devāḥ' (gods) and 'dānavāḥ' (demons) mentioned?
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