Bhagavad Gita 10.2 — The Source of Gods and Sages Is Beyond Their Knowing
न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः ।
अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः ॥ १०.२ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
The Blessed Lord said: Neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know My origin, for I am indeed the source of the gods and the great sages in every way.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| me | My |
| viduḥ | know |
| suragaṇāḥ | the hosts of gods |
| prabhavam | origin, manifestation |
| na | nor |
| maharṣhayaḥ | the great sages |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| aham | I |
| ādiḥ | the source, the origin |
| hi | indeed |
| devānām | of the gods |
| maharṣhīṇām | of the great sages |
| cha | and |
| sarvaśhaḥ | in every way, in all respects |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not | aham | I |
| me | My | ādiḥ | the source, the origin |
| viduḥ | know | hi | indeed |
| suragaṇāḥ | the hosts of gods | devānām | of the gods |
| prabhavam | origin, manifestation | maharṣhīṇām | of the great sages |
| na | nor | cha | and |
| maharṣhayaḥ | the great sages | sarvaśhaḥ | in every way, in all respects |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna makes a striking declaration: neither the hosts of celestial beings nor the great seers know His origin, because He Himself is the source from which they all arose. The verse shows the limits of even the highest created intelligence in comprehending the Supreme.
Essence
The Source Cannot Be Fully Known by What Arises from It
Lord Krishna says that even the sura-gaṇāḥ (the multitudes of gods) and the maharṣayaḥ (great sages) do not know His prabhavam, His origin or glorious manifestation. This is a remarkable statement, because these beings are the wisest and most powerful in creation.
Why they cannot know: A pot cannot fully comprehend the potter who made it, and a wave cannot measure the whole ocean from which it rises. In the same way, anything that is created has a limited vantage point. The gods and sages came into being after the Lord, so their knowledge cannot encompass the one who preceded and produced them.
Aham ādir hi devānām (I am the origin of the gods): Krishna explains the reason in plain words. He is the ādi, the beginning, of the devas and of the maharṣis, and this is true sarvaśaḥ, in every way. He is their source in terms of their bodies, their intelligence, their powers and their very existence.
A lesson in humility: The verse is not meant to discourage seekers. It teaches that the Supreme is known not through pride of intellect but through grace and surrender. The sages know only as much as the Lord chooses to reveal. This prepares the ground for verse 11, where that very grace appears as the lamp of knowledge.
Message for Everyday Life (Humility Before the Mystery of Life)
Intelligence has limits: We live in an age proud of knowledge, yet each answer opens deeper questions about life, consciousness and existence. Acknowledging what we do not know is the beginning of wisdom.
Keep the heart open: Whenever we feel we have understood life completely, we close the door to growth. A humble attitude keeps us learning and keeps us grateful.
The Source Cannot Be Fully Known by What Arises from It
Lord Krishna says that even the sura-gaṇāḥ (the multitudes of gods) and the maharṣayaḥ (great sages) do not know His prabhavam, His origin or glorious manifestation. This is a remarkable statement, because these beings are the wisest and most powerful in creation.
Why they cannot know: A pot cannot fully comprehend the potter who made it, and a wave cannot measure the whole ocean from which it rises. In the same way, anything that is created has a limited vantage point. The gods and sages came into being after the Lord, so their knowledge cannot encompass the one who preceded and produced them.
Aham ādir hi devānām (I am the origin of the gods): Krishna explains the reason in plain words. He is the ādi, the beginning, of the devas and of the maharṣis, and this is true sarvaśaḥ, in every way. He is their source in terms of their bodies, their intelligence, their powers and their very existence.
A lesson in humility: The verse is not meant to discourage seekers. It teaches that the Supreme is known not through pride of intellect but through grace and surrender. The sages know only as much as the Lord chooses to reveal. This prepares the ground for verse 11, where that very grace appears as the lamp of knowledge.
Message for Everyday Life (Humility Before the Mystery of Life)
Intelligence has limits: We live in an age proud of knowledge, yet each answer opens deeper questions about life, consciousness and existence. Acknowledging what we do not know is the beginning of wisdom.
Keep the heart open: Whenever we feel we have understood life completely, we close the door to growth. A humble attitude keeps us learning and keeps us grateful.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has shown that even the most exalted beings cannot fathom Him by their own effort, since He is their source. He now reveals what happens to the person who does come to know Him as unborn, beginningless and the Supreme Lord of all worlds.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The greatest wisdom admits what it cannot know.
Every river flows from a spring it cannot fully see.
Some truths are lived, not solved.
Awe is the beginning of understanding.
The mind measures the world but cannot measure its maker.
All beings rise from the same root.
Revelation comes to the one who stops claiming to know everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't even the 'suragaṇāḥ' (hosts of gods) know the Lord's origin?
Who are the 'maharṣhayaḥ' (great sages) mentioned here?
What does 'prabhavam' (origin, manifestation) mean in this verse?
What does 'sarvaśhaḥ' (in every way) add to the meaning?
Does this verse mean the Lord can never be known?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: