Bhagavad Gita 10.34 — The Lord as Death, Origin and the Noble Qualities
मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम् ।
कीर्तिः श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृतिः क्षमा ॥ १०.३४ ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: I am all-devouring death, and I am the origin of those who are yet to be born. Among feminine qualities I am fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, firmness, and forgiveness.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mṛityuḥ | death |
| sarvaharaḥ | all-devouring, the taker of all |
| cha | and |
| aham | I |
| udbhavaḥ | origin, birth |
| cha | and |
| bhaviṣhyatām | of those who are yet to be |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kīrtiḥ | fame |
| śhrīḥ | prosperity, beauty |
| vāk | speech |
| cha | and |
| nārīṇām | among feminine qualities |
| smṛitiḥ | memory |
| medhā | intelligence |
| dhṛitiḥ | firmness, steadfastness |
| kṣhamā | forgiveness |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mṛityuḥ | death | kīrtiḥ | fame |
| sarvaharaḥ | all-devouring, the taker of all | śhrīḥ | prosperity, beauty |
| cha | and | vāk | speech |
| aham | I | cha | and |
| udbhavaḥ | origin, birth | nārīṇām | among feminine qualities |
| cha | and | smṛitiḥ | memory |
| bhaviṣhyatām | of those who are yet to be | medhā | intelligence |
| dhṛitiḥ | firmness, steadfastness | ||
| kṣhamā | forgiveness | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna reveals Himself as all-devouring death and also as the origin of all that is yet to be born, and then names seven glorious qualities associated with feminine excellence: fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and forgiveness. The verse holds together the ends of life and the highest virtues.
Essence
Death and Origin: The Two Ends of Life
Mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham (I am all-devouring death): Death takes away everything a person possesses: body, wealth, position and relationships. Nothing can be carried beyond it. Krishna says that He is this force too. Death is not a rival to the Divine but a function of the Divine.
Udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām (and the origin of those who are yet to be): Alongside death, He is the source of all future births and new beginnings. This presents a vision of continual renewal: the same Lord withdraws forms and brings forth new ones.
Seven Divine Qualities
Krishna then names seven qualities, which tradition associates with feminine divinities and with women of excellence.
Kīrtiḥ (fame): good reputation earned through noble deeds. Śrīḥ (prosperity and beauty): wealth, grace and auspiciousness. Vāk (speech): the power of expression, eloquence and sacred language.
Smṛtiḥ (memory): the ability to recall experiences and learning. Medhā (intelligence): the power to grasp and retain what is understood. Dhṛtiḥ (steadfastness): firm resolve in the face of difficulty. Kṣamā (forgiveness): the ability to bear wrongs with patience and release resentment.
Why These Qualities?
Each of these qualities, when properly cultivated, elevates a person's life. Together they form a picture of a complete, admirable character: respected, graceful, articulate, wise, resolute and forgiving. The verse also honours the feminine as a principle of divine excellence.
Message for Everyday Life (Facing Death and Cultivating Virtue)
Keep death in perspective: Remembering that life is temporary helps us let go of petty conflicts and focus on what is lasting. It also reminds us that endings often make way for new beginnings.
Choose one virtue to strengthen: Whether it is patience, memory through reflection, or steadfastness in your goals, pick a quality from this list and work on it consistently.
Death and Origin: The Two Ends of Life
Mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham (I am all-devouring death): Death takes away everything a person possesses: body, wealth, position and relationships. Nothing can be carried beyond it. Krishna says that He is this force too. Death is not a rival to the Divine but a function of the Divine.
Udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām (and the origin of those who are yet to be): Alongside death, He is the source of all future births and new beginnings. This presents a vision of continual renewal: the same Lord withdraws forms and brings forth new ones.
Seven Divine Qualities
Krishna then names seven qualities, which tradition associates with feminine divinities and with women of excellence.
Kīrtiḥ (fame): good reputation earned through noble deeds. Śrīḥ (prosperity and beauty): wealth, grace and auspiciousness. Vāk (speech): the power of expression, eloquence and sacred language.
Smṛtiḥ (memory): the ability to recall experiences and learning. Medhā (intelligence): the power to grasp and retain what is understood. Dhṛtiḥ (steadfastness): firm resolve in the face of difficulty. Kṣamā (forgiveness): the ability to bear wrongs with patience and release resentment.
Why These Qualities?
Each of these qualities, when properly cultivated, elevates a person's life. Together they form a picture of a complete, admirable character: respected, graceful, articulate, wise, resolute and forgiving. The verse also honours the feminine as a principle of divine excellence.
Message for Everyday Life (Facing Death and Cultivating Virtue)
Keep death in perspective: Remembering that life is temporary helps us let go of petty conflicts and focus on what is lasting. It also reminds us that endings often make way for new beginnings.
Choose one virtue to strengthen: Whether it is patience, memory through reflection, or steadfastness in your goals, pick a quality from this list and work on it consistently.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has spoken of death, origin and the seven excellences. In the next verse, He turns to sacred song and poetic metre, to the months and seasons, naming the Bṛhat-sāma, the Gāyatrī, Mārgaśīrṣa and spring.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Remembering death makes life meaningful.
Every new life is a fresh expression of the Divine.
Words can build or break; choose them carefully.
What we remember shapes who we become.
Intelligence is a lamp; use it kindly.
Steadiness is quiet courage.
Forgiving is freeing yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Lord called 'mṛityuḥ sarvaharaḥ' (all-devouring death)?
What does 'udbhavaḥ bhaviṣhyatām' (the origin of those yet to be) mean?
What are the seven qualities listed as 'nārīṇām' (among feminine qualities)?
Why are these qualities called 'nārīṇām' (feminine)?
Why does the verse mention both death and birth together?
Explore related topics
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