Bhagavad Gita 11.38 — You Are the Primal God, the Knower and the Known
त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् ।
वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ॥ ११.३८ ॥
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You are the primal God, the ancient Person; You are the supreme resting place of this universe. You are the knower, the known, and the supreme abode. By You the universe is pervaded, O One of infinite form.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tvam | You |
| ādi-devaḥ | the primal God |
| puruṣhaḥ | the Supreme Person |
| purāṇaḥ | ancient |
| tvam | You |
| asya | of this |
| viśhvasya | universe |
| param | supreme |
| nidhānam | resting place |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vettā | the knower |
| asi | You are |
| vedyam | the object of knowledge |
| cha | and |
| param | supreme |
| cha | and |
| dhāma | abode |
| tvayā | by You |
| tatam | pervaded |
| viśhvam | universe |
| ananta-rūpa | O One of infinite form |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tvam | You | vettā | the knower |
| ādi-devaḥ | the primal God | asi | You are |
| puruṣhaḥ | the Supreme Person | vedyam | the object of knowledge |
| purāṇaḥ | ancient | cha | and |
| tvam | You | param | supreme |
| asya | of this | cha | and |
| viśhvasya | universe | dhāma | abode |
| param | supreme | tvayā | by You |
| nidhānam | resting place | tatam | pervaded |
| viśhvam | universe | ||
| ananta-rūpa | O One of infinite form | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Arjuna continues his praise, calling the Lord the primal god, the ancient Person, the supreme resting place of the universe, the knower and the known, the highest abode, by whom the whole universe is pervaded.
Essence
The Source, the Knower and the Known
Arjuna's understanding deepens through this series of titles. Each name reveals another aspect of the Lord's relationship with the world.
Tvam ādi-devaḥ puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ (you are the primal god, the ancient Person): The Lord existed before everything and is the origin of all. Purāṇa means ancient, yet this ancient Person is never old; he is the timeless source.
Tvam asya viśvasya paraṁ nidhānam (you are the supreme resting place of this universe): The universe rests in the Lord and dissolves back into him, as seen in the vision.
Vettāsi vedyaṁ ca (you are the knower and the knowable): The Lord is both the one who knows and the object to be known. This points to a truth in which the usual division between the subject and the object of knowledge is transcended.
Paraṁ ca dhāma (and the supreme abode): The Lord is the final goal that every soul ultimately seeks, the home of peace.
Tvayā tataṁ viśvam ananta-rūpa (by you the universe is pervaded, O infinite form): The word tata means spread out or pervaded. As threads pervade cloth, the Lord pervades the world. He is within and beyond everything.
Message for Everyday Life (Finding the Home Within)
Look for lasting rest, not temporary comfort: Many search for satisfaction in outer achievements, yet true peace arises from connection with what is deeper.
Practical approach: Set aside regular time for silence, prayer or reflection. These moments reconnect you to a sense of home that no outer circumstance can disturb.
The Source, the Knower and the Known
Arjuna's understanding deepens through this series of titles. Each name reveals another aspect of the Lord's relationship with the world.
Tvam ādi-devaḥ puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ (you are the primal god, the ancient Person): The Lord existed before everything and is the origin of all. Purāṇa means ancient, yet this ancient Person is never old; he is the timeless source.
Tvam asya viśvasya paraṁ nidhānam (you are the supreme resting place of this universe): The universe rests in the Lord and dissolves back into him, as seen in the vision.
Vettāsi vedyaṁ ca (you are the knower and the knowable): The Lord is both the one who knows and the object to be known. This points to a truth in which the usual division between the subject and the object of knowledge is transcended.
Paraṁ ca dhāma (and the supreme abode): The Lord is the final goal that every soul ultimately seeks, the home of peace.
Tvayā tataṁ viśvam ananta-rūpa (by you the universe is pervaded, O infinite form): The word tata means spread out or pervaded. As threads pervade cloth, the Lord pervades the world. He is within and beyond everything.
Message for Everyday Life (Finding the Home Within)
Look for lasting rest, not temporary comfort: Many search for satisfaction in outer achievements, yet true peace arises from connection with what is deeper.
Practical approach: Set aside regular time for silence, prayer or reflection. These moments reconnect you to a sense of home that no outer circumstance can disturb.
Next Topic
Arjuna has praised the Lord as the knower, the known, and the supreme abode. In the next verse, he names the Lord as the very forces of nature and the gods, such as Vāyu, Yama, Agni and Varuṇa, and offers repeated salutations.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Everything begins and ends in the same place.
The one who knows is also what is known.
Home is not a place but the Source.
Nothing is left out.
Truth is older than time.
Seeker and sought are not two.
The destination has been walking with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'ādi-devaḥ' (the primal God) mean?
What is meant by 'puruṣhaḥ purāṇaḥ' (the ancient Person)?
What does it mean that He is 'vettā' (the knower) and 'vedyam' (the known)?
What is 'dhāma' (abode)?
What does 'tvayā tatam viśhvam' (by You the universe is pervaded) imply?
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