Bhagavad Gita 11.39 — Salutations a Thousand Times and Again
वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च ।
नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते ॥ ११.३९ ॥
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You are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, the moon, Prajapati, and the great-grandfather of all. Salutations, salutations to You a thousand times, and again and yet again salutations to You.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vāyuḥ | Vayu, the wind god |
| yamaḥ | Yama, the god of death |
| agniḥ | Agni, the fire god |
| varuṇaḥ | Varuna, the water god |
| śhaśha-aṅkaḥ | the moon |
| prajā-patiḥ | Prajapati, the progenitor |
| tvam | You |
| prapitāmahaḥ | the great-grandfather |
| cha | and |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| namaḥ | salutations |
| namaḥ | salutations |
| te | to You |
| astu | let there be |
| sahasra-kṛitvaḥ | a thousand times |
| punaḥ | again |
| cha | and |
| bhūyaḥ | once more |
| api | even |
| namaḥ | salutations |
| namaḥ | salutations |
| te | to You |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vāyuḥ | Vayu, the wind god | namaḥ | salutations |
| yamaḥ | Yama, the god of death | namaḥ | salutations |
| agniḥ | Agni, the fire god | te | to You |
| varuṇaḥ | Varuna, the water god | astu | let there be |
| śhaśha-aṅkaḥ | the moon | sahasra-kṛitvaḥ | a thousand times |
| prajā-patiḥ | Prajapati, the progenitor | punaḥ | again |
| tvam | You | cha | and |
| prapitāmahaḥ | the great-grandfather | bhūyaḥ | once more |
| cha | and | api | even |
| namaḥ | salutations | ||
| namaḥ | salutations | ||
| te | to You | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Arjuna sees the Lord as the wind, the god of death, fire, the lord of the waters, the moon, and the progenitor of beings, and even the great-grandfather of all. He offers a thousand salutations, again and again.
Essence
The Lord as All the Powers of Nature
Arjuna now sees that the powers worshipped separately by various traditions are all expressions of the one Lord. This is a profound recognition of unity behind the many names.
Vāyur yamo'gnir varuṇaḥ śaśāṅkaḥ (Vāyu, Yama, Agni, Varuṇa, the moon): Vāyu is the wind that gives life, Yama is the lord of death and justice, Agni is fire, Varuṇa is the waters, and the moon gives coolness and nourishment. The Lord is the energy within each of these.
Prajāpatis tvaṁ prapitāmahaś ca (you are Prajāpati and the great-grandfather): Prajāpati is the lord of creatures, and prapitāmaha is the father of the grandfather, meaning Brahmā. The Lord is the origin of even the first creator and thus the ancestor of all.
Namo namas te'stu sahasra-kṛtvaḥ (salutations to you a thousand times): Arjuna's words overflow. A single bow is not enough. The heart wants to bow again and again.
Punaś ca bhūyo'pi namo namas te (and again, and once more, salutations): The repetition shows the depth of his emotion. When gratitude and reverence are full, words repeat themselves.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing the Divine in Life's Forces)
Respect the elements that sustain you: Air, water, fire and the earth are the foundations of life. Respecting them is a form of reverence.
Practical approach: Develop small habits of care for nature, such as conserving water and avoiding waste. Gratitude expressed in action is a quiet form of worship.
The Lord as All the Powers of Nature
Arjuna now sees that the powers worshipped separately by various traditions are all expressions of the one Lord. This is a profound recognition of unity behind the many names.
Vāyur yamo'gnir varuṇaḥ śaśāṅkaḥ (Vāyu, Yama, Agni, Varuṇa, the moon): Vāyu is the wind that gives life, Yama is the lord of death and justice, Agni is fire, Varuṇa is the waters, and the moon gives coolness and nourishment. The Lord is the energy within each of these.
Prajāpatis tvaṁ prapitāmahaś ca (you are Prajāpati and the great-grandfather): Prajāpati is the lord of creatures, and prapitāmaha is the father of the grandfather, meaning Brahmā. The Lord is the origin of even the first creator and thus the ancestor of all.
Namo namas te'stu sahasra-kṛtvaḥ (salutations to you a thousand times): Arjuna's words overflow. A single bow is not enough. The heart wants to bow again and again.
Punaś ca bhūyo'pi namo namas te (and again, and once more, salutations): The repetition shows the depth of his emotion. When gratitude and reverence are full, words repeat themselves.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing the Divine in Life's Forces)
Respect the elements that sustain you: Air, water, fire and the earth are the foundations of life. Respecting them is a form of reverence.
Practical approach: Develop small habits of care for nature, such as conserving water and avoiding waste. Gratitude expressed in action is a quiet form of worship.
Next Topic
Arjuna has offered repeated salutations to the Lord. In the next verse, his devotion expands in every direction, as he bows to the Lord in front, behind and on all sides, praising his limitless valour.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Every element is a face of the Divine.
Every lineage leads back to one source.
One bow is rarely enough.
Love repeats itself.
Honor the one who holds everything.
Praise multiplies with understanding.
Bow and bow again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are 'Vāyu' (wind god), 'Yama' (god of death), 'Agni' (fire god) and 'Varuṇa' (water god)?
What does 'śhaśhāṅkaḥ' (the moon) refer to?
Who is 'Prajāpati' (the progenitor)?
Why is the Lord called 'prapitāmahaḥ' (great-grandfather)?
What does 'sahasra-kṛitvaḥ' (a thousand times) express?
Explore related topics
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