Bhagavad Gita 14.27 — The Lord as the Foundation of Brahman and Eternal Bliss
ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च ।
शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च ॥ १४.२७ ॥
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I am the foundation of Brahman, the immortal and imperishable, of eternal dharma, and of absolute bliss.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| brahmaṇaḥ | of Brahman, of the formless Supreme Reality |
| hi | indeed, for |
| pratiṣhṭhā | the foundation, the abode, the basis |
| aham | I |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| amṛitasya | of the immortal |
| avyayasya | of the imperishable |
| cha | and |
| śhāśhvatasya | of the eternal |
| cha | and |
| dharmasya | of dharma, of the eternal order and righteousness |
| sukhasya | of bliss, of happiness |
| aikāntikasya | of the absolute, of the ultimate and unfailing |
| cha | and |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| brahmaṇaḥ | of Brahman, of the formless Supreme Reality | amṛitasya | of the immortal |
| hi | indeed, for | avyayasya | of the imperishable |
| pratiṣhṭhā | the foundation, the abode, the basis | cha | and |
| aham | I | śhāśhvatasya | of the eternal |
| cha | and | ||
| dharmasya | of dharma, of the eternal order and righteousness | ||
| sukhasya | of bliss, of happiness | ||
| aikāntikasya | of the absolute, of the ultimate and unfailing | ||
| cha | and | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this closing verse of the chapter, Lord Krishna reveals the deepest foundation of everything he has taught. He declares himself to be the abode of Brahman, of the immortal and imperishable, of eternal dharma, and of absolute bliss. The verse completes the chapter by showing that the goal beyond the guṇas is not an abstract void but a living, blissful reality rooted in the Divine.
Essence
The Ground of All That Is Highest
Brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhā aham (I am indeed the foundation of Brahman): The word pratiṣṭhā means foundation, support, or resting place. Lord Krishna has just said that the devotee becomes fit for the state of Brahman. Now he reveals that Brahman, the impersonal Absolute, itself rests in him. This does not diminish Brahman. It shows that the Absolute and the personal Divine are not two different realities, but one truth seen from different aspects. The impersonal is like the all-pervading light, and he is its source, like the sun.
Amṛtasya avyayasya ca (of the immortal and the imperishable): Amṛta is the deathless, and avyaya is that which never diminishes. The state of freedom from birth and death, promised in verse 20, has its basis in him. Immortality is not an independent accomplishment but is found in union with the Divine.
Śāśvatasya ca dharmasya (and of eternal dharma): Dharma here means the eternal order, the righteous principle that sustains the universe and the inner path that leads to the highest. Whenever dharma is upheld, it is ultimately upholding Lord Krishna's own nature. The practical life of right action and the highest spiritual goal are therefore not separate; they are rooted in the same source.
Sukhasya aikāntikasya ca (and of absolute bliss): The word aikāntika means total, final, without any trace of its opposite. The worldly happiness of sattva, rajas, or tamas is always mixed and temporary. Lord Krishna speaks of a bliss that is complete and never fades, and he declares himself its abode.
These four, namely Brahman, immortality, eternal dharma, and absolute bliss, summarise everything that human beings seek: truth, deathlessness, right living, and lasting joy. Lord Krishna says that all of them rest in him. The journey beyond the guṇas, therefore, is not a flight into emptiness but a homecoming into fullness.
With this verse, the chapter achieves its harmony. It began by promising the supreme knowledge, explained how the guṇas bind, showed how to rise above them, and ends by revealing the Divine as the goal and foundation of all.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeking the Source of Lasting Fulfilment)
Look for fulfilment at the root: We chase many things in the hope of lasting happiness, only to find that each gives only brief satisfaction. Lord Krishna points to the single source in which truth, peace, righteousness, and joy are all found.
Practical approach: Give some time each day to reconnecting with that source, through prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection. Let your daily duties be shaped by dharma, and notice how life gradually gains a depth and contentment that external achievements alone cannot supply.
The Ground of All That Is Highest
Brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhā aham (I am indeed the foundation of Brahman): The word pratiṣṭhā means foundation, support, or resting place. Lord Krishna has just said that the devotee becomes fit for the state of Brahman. Now he reveals that Brahman, the impersonal Absolute, itself rests in him. This does not diminish Brahman. It shows that the Absolute and the personal Divine are not two different realities, but one truth seen from different aspects. The impersonal is like the all-pervading light, and he is its source, like the sun.
Amṛtasya avyayasya ca (of the immortal and the imperishable): Amṛta is the deathless, and avyaya is that which never diminishes. The state of freedom from birth and death, promised in verse 20, has its basis in him. Immortality is not an independent accomplishment but is found in union with the Divine.
Śāśvatasya ca dharmasya (and of eternal dharma): Dharma here means the eternal order, the righteous principle that sustains the universe and the inner path that leads to the highest. Whenever dharma is upheld, it is ultimately upholding Lord Krishna's own nature. The practical life of right action and the highest spiritual goal are therefore not separate; they are rooted in the same source.
Sukhasya aikāntikasya ca (and of absolute bliss): The word aikāntika means total, final, without any trace of its opposite. The worldly happiness of sattva, rajas, or tamas is always mixed and temporary. Lord Krishna speaks of a bliss that is complete and never fades, and he declares himself its abode.
These four, namely Brahman, immortality, eternal dharma, and absolute bliss, summarise everything that human beings seek: truth, deathlessness, right living, and lasting joy. Lord Krishna says that all of them rest in him. The journey beyond the guṇas, therefore, is not a flight into emptiness but a homecoming into fullness.
With this verse, the chapter achieves its harmony. It began by promising the supreme knowledge, explained how the guṇas bind, showed how to rise above them, and ends by revealing the Divine as the goal and foundation of all.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeking the Source of Lasting Fulfilment)
Look for fulfilment at the root: We chase many things in the hope of lasting happiness, only to find that each gives only brief satisfaction. Lord Krishna points to the single source in which truth, peace, righteousness, and joy are all found.
Practical approach: Give some time each day to reconnecting with that source, through prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection. Let your daily duties be shaped by dharma, and notice how life gradually gains a depth and contentment that external achievements alone cannot supply.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has declared himself the foundation of Brahman, immortality, eternal dharma, and absolute bliss, bringing the teaching on the three guṇas to its fulfilment. This closes the fourteenth chapter. The next chapter, the Puruṣottama Yoga, begins by presenting the vision of the great cosmic tree, with roots above and branches below, to reveal the Supreme Person who transcends both the perishable and the imperishable.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Build your life on what does not change.
Fleeting pleasures end; the bliss of the source does not.
A life aligned with the eternal finds lasting meaning.
Dharma is the thread connecting the human to the divine.
What rests on the eternal does not fear time.
Rest in the source and the search is over.
The deepest stability comes from the deepest source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Krishna mean by 'brahmaṇaḥ pratiṣhṭhā' (foundation of Brahman)?
What do 'amṛita' (immortal) and 'avyaya' (imperishable) refer to?
What is 'śhāśhvata dharma' (eternal dharma) here?
What does 'aikāntika sukha' (absolute bliss) mean?
How does this verse connect with the previous one?
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