Bhagavad Gita 10.15 — Only the Lord Truly Knows Himself
स्वयमेवात्मनात्मानं वेत्थ त्वं पुरुषोत्तम ।
भूतभावन भूतेश देवदेव जगत्पते ॥ १०.१५ ॥
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Arjuna said: O Supreme Person, You alone know Yourself by Yourself. O Creator of beings, Lord of beings, God of gods, and Lord of the universe.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| svayam | Yourself |
| eva | alone |
| ātmanā | by Yourself |
| ātmānam | Yourself |
| vettha | know |
| tvam | You |
| puruṣhottama | O Supreme Person |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhūtabhāvana | O Creator of all beings |
| bhūteśha | O Lord of all beings |
| devadeva | O God of gods |
| jagatpate | O Lord of the universe |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| svayam | Yourself | bhūtabhāvana | O Creator of all beings |
| eva | alone | bhūteśha | O Lord of all beings |
| ātmanā | by Yourself | devadeva | O God of gods |
| ātmānam | Yourself | jagatpate | O Lord of the universe |
| vettha | know | ||
| tvam | You | ||
| puruṣhottama | O Supreme Person | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Arjuna continues his heartfelt response by declaring that only the Lord Himself truly knows Himself. He addresses Krishna with five reverent titles, each describing a different aspect of the Supreme, and thereby prepares to make a humble request in the verses that follow.
Essence
Only the Infinite Can Know the Infinite
Svayam evātmanātmānaṁ vettha (You alone know Yourself by Yourself): Arjuna has just said that neither gods nor demons can know the Lord's manifestation. Now he completes the thought: the Lord is known fully only by the Lord. A finite mind cannot contain the infinite, just as a cup cannot hold the ocean. Whatever we understand of God is what He chooses to reveal.
Puruṣottama (the Supreme Person): He is the highest among all persons, beyond both the perishable and the imperishable.
Bhūta-bhāvana (the creator of beings): He is the one who brings all living beings into existence.
Bhūteśa (the Lord of all beings): He is not only their maker but also their master and sustainer.
Deva-deva (the God of gods): Even the celestial beings worship Him and derive their powers from Him.
Jagat-pate (the Lord of the universe): The whole cosmos is under His governance.
The Beauty of Addressing God by Many Names
Each title shows a different facet of the Divine: personal, creative, sovereign, supreme and universal. A person who loves deeply often finds many names for the beloved, because no single word is enough. Arjuna's words are an outpouring of the heart, and they also form a bridge to his request: since only the Lord can reveal Himself, Arjuna will ask Him to do exactly that.
Message for Everyday Life (Admitting What We Cannot Know)
Accept the limits of understanding: Even in ordinary relationships, we never fully know another person. Humility in understanding others and ourselves keeps us kind and curious.
Seek help from the source: When we feel stuck in understanding life's deeper questions, turning to prayer or to a wise teacher is better than relying only on our own reasoning.
Only the Infinite Can Know the Infinite
Svayam evātmanātmānaṁ vettha (You alone know Yourself by Yourself): Arjuna has just said that neither gods nor demons can know the Lord's manifestation. Now he completes the thought: the Lord is known fully only by the Lord. A finite mind cannot contain the infinite, just as a cup cannot hold the ocean. Whatever we understand of God is what He chooses to reveal.
Puruṣottama (the Supreme Person): He is the highest among all persons, beyond both the perishable and the imperishable.
Bhūta-bhāvana (the creator of beings): He is the one who brings all living beings into existence.
Bhūteśa (the Lord of all beings): He is not only their maker but also their master and sustainer.
Deva-deva (the God of gods): Even the celestial beings worship Him and derive their powers from Him.
Jagat-pate (the Lord of the universe): The whole cosmos is under His governance.
The Beauty of Addressing God by Many Names
Each title shows a different facet of the Divine: personal, creative, sovereign, supreme and universal. A person who loves deeply often finds many names for the beloved, because no single word is enough. Arjuna's words are an outpouring of the heart, and they also form a bridge to his request: since only the Lord can reveal Himself, Arjuna will ask Him to do exactly that.
Message for Everyday Life (Admitting What We Cannot Know)
Accept the limits of understanding: Even in ordinary relationships, we never fully know another person. Humility in understanding others and ourselves keeps us kind and curious.
Seek help from the source: When we feel stuck in understanding life's deeper questions, turning to prayer or to a wise teacher is better than relying only on our own reasoning.
Next Topic
Arjuna has acknowledged that only the Lord can know Himself. This leads naturally to his request: if the Lord alone knows His glories, then He alone must explain them. In the next verse, Arjuna humbly asks Krishna to describe His divine manifestations in full.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The deepest truths can only be known from within.
Knowing our limits makes us wiser.
Awe is the heart's way of understanding.
The one who creates also cares.
Every name for the Divine is a love song in a different tune.
Bowing is the beginning of seeing.
When we cannot know, we can still trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'svayam eva ātmanā ātmānam vettha' (You alone know Yourself by Yourself) mean?
Why does Arjuna call Krishna 'puruṣhottama' (Supreme Person)?
What does 'bhūtabhāvana' (Creator of beings) convey?
What does 'bhūteśha' (Lord of beings) tell us?
What is the meaning of 'devadeva' (God of gods) and 'jagatpate' (Lord of the universe)?
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