Bhagavad Gita 15.17 — The Supreme Person Beyond the Perishable and the Imperishable
उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युदाहृतः ।
यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः ॥ १५.१७ ॥
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But distinct from these is the Supreme Person, called the Supreme Soul, the imperishable Lord who enters the three worlds and sustains them.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| uttamaḥ | the highest, the supreme |
| puruṣhaḥ | person, being |
| tu | but |
| anyaḥ | distinct, other (than these two) |
| paramātmā | the Supreme Soul |
| iti | thus |
| udāhṛitaḥ | is called, is declared |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yaḥ | who |
| lokatrayam | the three worlds |
| āviśhya | having entered, pervading |
| bibharti | sustains, supports |
| avyayaḥ | imperishable, changeless |
| īśhvaraḥ | the Lord, the controller |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| uttamaḥ | the highest, the supreme | yaḥ | who |
| puruṣhaḥ | person, being | lokatrayam | the three worlds |
| tu | but | āviśhya | having entered, pervading |
| anyaḥ | distinct, other (than these two) | bibharti | sustains, supports |
| paramātmā | the Supreme Soul | avyayaḥ | imperishable, changeless |
| iti | thus | īśhvaraḥ | the Lord, the controller |
| udāhṛitaḥ | is called, is declared | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna reveals a third Puruṣa who is higher than both the perishable and the imperishable. This is the Supreme Self, Paramātmā, who enters the three worlds and sustains them as the imperishable Lord.
Essence
The Highest Puruṣa, the Supreme Self
Having divided the world into kṣara and akṣara, Lord Krishna now directs our attention to what transcends both.
Uttamaḥ puruṣas tv anyaḥ (but the highest Puruṣa is another): The word anyaḥ, 'other', is significant. The highest is not merely one more member of the previous two groups. It is of a different order altogether.
Paramātmety udāhṛtaḥ (called the Supreme Self): The Upaniṣads and the Gita refer to Him as Paramātmā, the Supreme Self, who is the indweller of all beings. While the jīva is an individual part, the Paramātmā is the all-pervading Lord.
Yo lokatrayam āviśya (who enters the three worlds): The three worlds may be understood as the earthly, the heavenly, and the lower realms, or as the waking, dream, and deep-sleep states of experience. In all of them, He is present, not as an outsider but as the very foundation of existence.
Bibharty avyaya īśvaraḥ (the imperishable Lord who sustains): He not only enters the world but also supports it, without ever being diminished or changed Himself. Just as the stage supports every play yet remains unaffected by the story, the Lord sustains creation while remaining ever free.
The verse resolves a puzzle that the previous verse might have left. If the akṣara is changeless, what more is there to know? The answer is that the Lord is both immanent, present in all, and transcendent, beyond all.
Message for Everyday Life (Finding Support Beyond Changing Things)
A steady foundation: Many of our worries come from relying on supports that are themselves unstable, such as jobs, appearances, or relationships. This verse points to a support that never fails.
Practical approach: In moments of anxiety, consciously remind yourself that there is a presence sustaining everything, including your own life. This does not remove responsibility, but it removes panic.
The Highest Puruṣa, the Supreme Self
Having divided the world into kṣara and akṣara, Lord Krishna now directs our attention to what transcends both.
Uttamaḥ puruṣas tv anyaḥ (but the highest Puruṣa is another): The word anyaḥ, 'other', is significant. The highest is not merely one more member of the previous two groups. It is of a different order altogether.
Paramātmety udāhṛtaḥ (called the Supreme Self): The Upaniṣads and the Gita refer to Him as Paramātmā, the Supreme Self, who is the indweller of all beings. While the jīva is an individual part, the Paramātmā is the all-pervading Lord.
Yo lokatrayam āviśya (who enters the three worlds): The three worlds may be understood as the earthly, the heavenly, and the lower realms, or as the waking, dream, and deep-sleep states of experience. In all of them, He is present, not as an outsider but as the very foundation of existence.
Bibharty avyaya īśvaraḥ (the imperishable Lord who sustains): He not only enters the world but also supports it, without ever being diminished or changed Himself. Just as the stage supports every play yet remains unaffected by the story, the Lord sustains creation while remaining ever free.
The verse resolves a puzzle that the previous verse might have left. If the akṣara is changeless, what more is there to know? The answer is that the Lord is both immanent, present in all, and transcendent, beyond all.
Message for Everyday Life (Finding Support Beyond Changing Things)
A steady foundation: Many of our worries come from relying on supports that are themselves unstable, such as jobs, appearances, or relationships. This verse points to a support that never fails.
Practical approach: In moments of anxiety, consciously remind yourself that there is a presence sustaining everything, including your own life. This does not remove responsibility, but it removes panic.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the Supreme Self who sustains the three worlds. In the next verse He gives the reason for His special name, declaring that He transcends both the perishable and the imperishable and is therefore known as Puruṣottama.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
You are held by a power that never falters.
The Highest is both beyond and within.
Rest in what sustains everything.
Above the changing and the changeless lies the Source.
The more we know, the more we bow.
Peace comes from knowing who holds the world.
The one who sustains worlds can carry your burdens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is 'paramātmā' (the Supreme Soul)?
Why is He called 'uttama puruṣha' (the highest person)?
What are the 'lokatraya' (the three worlds)?
How is the Lord 'avyaya' (imperishable) and 'īśhvara' (the controller)?
What is the difference between the Supreme Soul and the individual soul?
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