Bhagavad Gita 15.13 — The Lord Sustains Life as the Earth's Support and the Nourishing Moon
गामाविश्य च भूतानि धारयाम्यहमोजसा ।
पुष्णामि चौषधीः सर्वाः सोमो भूत्वा रसात्मकः ॥ १५.१३ ॥
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Entering the earth, I support all beings by My energy. And becoming the moon, full of nourishing juice, I nourish all plants.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| gām | the earth |
| āviśhya | having entered, permeating |
| cha | and |
| bhūtāni | living beings, all creatures |
| dhārayāmi | I sustain, I support |
| aham | I |
| ojasā | by My energy, by My power |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| puṣhṇāmi | I nourish |
| cha | and |
| oṣhadhīḥ | plants, herbs, crops |
| sarvāḥ | all |
| somaḥ | the moon |
| bhūtvā | having become |
| rasātmakaḥ | full of the nectar of life, of nourishing juice |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| gām | the earth | puṣhṇāmi | I nourish |
| āviśhya | having entered, permeating | cha | and |
| cha | and | oṣhadhīḥ | plants, herbs, crops |
| bhūtāni | living beings, all creatures | sarvāḥ | all |
| dhārayāmi | I sustain, I support | somaḥ | the moon |
| aham | I | bhūtvā | having become |
| ojasā | by My energy, by My power | rasātmakaḥ | full of the nectar of life, of nourishing juice |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna reveals that He is the sustaining power of the earth and all life upon it. Entering the earth, He holds all beings by His energy, and as the nectar-filled moon, He nourishes every plant.
Essence
The Lord as the Sustainer of Life
The previous verse showed the Lord as the source of light; this one shows Him as the source of support and nourishment.
Gām āviśya (entering the earth): The word gām means earth. Lord Krishna says He pervades the earth. It is His power that keeps the planet steady and enables it to support countless living beings. Without that sustaining presence, the earth would not remain a stable home for life.
Bhūtāni dhārayāmy aham ojasā (I sustain all beings by My energy): The word ojas means vital energy and strength. Every creature's life depends on a power that none of them created. Lord Krishna reminds us that this support is His.
Puṣṇāmi cauṣadhīḥ sarvāḥ (I nourish all plants): Plants, grains, fruits, and medicinal herbs are the foundation of life, giving food and healing.
Somo bhūtvā rasātmakaḥ (becoming the moon, full of nectar): In the traditional understanding, the moon gives plants their sap or rasa, the quality of taste and nourishment. As the soma, He becomes the cause of sweetness and vitality in what we eat.
A thoughtful person is naturally moved to gratitude by this vision. Our food, our health, and the very ground beneath our feet are not accidents but gifts held up by a loving power.
Message for Everyday Life (Gratitude for What Sustains Us)
Receive with gratitude: It is easy to take for granted the earth, the harvest, and our own health. The Gita invites us to see these as expressions of divine care, which develops thankfulness and respect for nature.
Practical approach: Before meals, take a quiet moment to remember all that made the food possible. Treat the earth and its resources with care, as sacred gifts and not as mere commodities.
The Lord as the Sustainer of Life
The previous verse showed the Lord as the source of light; this one shows Him as the source of support and nourishment.
Gām āviśya (entering the earth): The word gām means earth. Lord Krishna says He pervades the earth. It is His power that keeps the planet steady and enables it to support countless living beings. Without that sustaining presence, the earth would not remain a stable home for life.
Bhūtāni dhārayāmy aham ojasā (I sustain all beings by My energy): The word ojas means vital energy and strength. Every creature's life depends on a power that none of them created. Lord Krishna reminds us that this support is His.
Puṣṇāmi cauṣadhīḥ sarvāḥ (I nourish all plants): Plants, grains, fruits, and medicinal herbs are the foundation of life, giving food and healing.
Somo bhūtvā rasātmakaḥ (becoming the moon, full of nectar): In the traditional understanding, the moon gives plants their sap or rasa, the quality of taste and nourishment. As the soma, He becomes the cause of sweetness and vitality in what we eat.
A thoughtful person is naturally moved to gratitude by this vision. Our food, our health, and the very ground beneath our feet are not accidents but gifts held up by a loving power.
Message for Everyday Life (Gratitude for What Sustains Us)
Receive with gratitude: It is easy to take for granted the earth, the harvest, and our own health. The Gita invites us to see these as expressions of divine care, which develops thankfulness and respect for nature.
Practical approach: Before meals, take a quiet moment to remember all that made the food possible. Treat the earth and its resources with care, as sacred gifts and not as mere commodities.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described how He sustains the earth and nourishes plants. In the next verse He goes even further, revealing that He dwells within every living body as the digestive fire that transforms food into life.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Every meal is a gift.
We walk on the Lord's support.
Life is fed by silent, unseen forces.
What is cared for must be cared for in return.
Nature gives enough when we do not take too much.
We are held more than we know.
Even a leaf is a miracle of divine care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'ojas' (energy) refer to in this verse?
Why is the moon called 'soma' (the nourishing moon) and 'rasātmaka' (full of nectar)?
What does it mean that the Lord 'enters' the earth?
How does this verse encourage gratitude?
Is this verse only about nature, or does it have spiritual meaning?
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