Bhagavad Gita 7.26 — The Supreme Knows All Beings, but No One Knows Him
वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन ।
भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन ॥ ७.२६ ॥
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O Arjuna, I know all beings of the past, the present and the future, but no one knows Me.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| veda | know |
| aham | I |
| samatītāni | past |
| vartamānāni | present |
| cha | and |
| arjuna | O Arjuna |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhaviṣhyāṇi | future |
| cha | and |
| bhūtāni | beings |
| mām | Me |
| tu | but |
| veda | knows |
| na | not |
| kaśhchana | anyone |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| veda | know | bhaviṣhyāṇi | future |
| aham | I | cha | and |
| samatītāni | past | bhūtāni | beings |
| vartamānāni | present | mām | Me |
| cha | and | tu | but |
| arjuna | O Arjuna | veda | knows |
| na | not | ||
| kaśhchana | anyone | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now contrasts His knowledge with that of all other beings. He knows all that has passed, all that exists now, and all that will come, but no one fully knows Him.
Essence
The One Who Knows All, and Is Known by Few
This verse reveals a striking asymmetry. The Supreme knows every being completely, yet He is known by hardly anyone. It underlines both His omniscience and the difficulty of knowing Him through ordinary means.
Vedāhaṁ samatītāni vartamānāni ca (I know the past and the present): Lord Krishna is not limited by time. He knows everything that has happened, including every thought and action, and everything that is happening now across the universe.
Bhaviṣyāṇi ca bhūtāni (and the beings that are yet to come): He knows also the future. For us, the future is uncertain and the source of much anxiety. For the Supreme, past, present, and future are all present together.
Māṁ tu veda na kaścana (but no one truly knows Me): In spite of His complete knowledge of all beings, no one can know Him through their own capacity alone. The limited cannot fully grasp the unlimited by effort and intellect. This is not a statement of despair, but an indication that grace and surrender are needed. In verse 3, He said that hardly one knows Him in truth, and here we learn the reason.
A source of comfort and humility: The first part of the verse is comforting. If the Lord knows our past, present, and future, then nothing in our life is hidden or forgotten by Him. We are never alone. The second part is humbling. No amount of intelligence or scholarship is enough to master the Supreme, and a posture of reverence is more fitting than one of pride.
Message for Everyday Life (Trusting What You Cannot See)
Release the demand to control the future: Much of our stress arises from trying to predict and control what will happen.
Practical approach: Do your best in the present, and hand over the uncertainty of the future to a higher wisdom. When anxiety rises, remind yourself that there is a vast intelligence that sees the whole picture. At the same time, approach spiritual knowledge with humility. Keep learning, and remain open to what you do not yet understand.
The One Who Knows All, and Is Known by Few
This verse reveals a striking asymmetry. The Supreme knows every being completely, yet He is known by hardly anyone. It underlines both His omniscience and the difficulty of knowing Him through ordinary means.
Vedāhaṁ samatītāni vartamānāni ca (I know the past and the present): Lord Krishna is not limited by time. He knows everything that has happened, including every thought and action, and everything that is happening now across the universe.
Bhaviṣyāṇi ca bhūtāni (and the beings that are yet to come): He knows also the future. For us, the future is uncertain and the source of much anxiety. For the Supreme, past, present, and future are all present together.
Māṁ tu veda na kaścana (but no one truly knows Me): In spite of His complete knowledge of all beings, no one can know Him through their own capacity alone. The limited cannot fully grasp the unlimited by effort and intellect. This is not a statement of despair, but an indication that grace and surrender are needed. In verse 3, He said that hardly one knows Him in truth, and here we learn the reason.
A source of comfort and humility: The first part of the verse is comforting. If the Lord knows our past, present, and future, then nothing in our life is hidden or forgotten by Him. We are never alone. The second part is humbling. No amount of intelligence or scholarship is enough to master the Supreme, and a posture of reverence is more fitting than one of pride.
Message for Everyday Life (Trusting What You Cannot See)
Release the demand to control the future: Much of our stress arises from trying to predict and control what will happen.
Practical approach: Do your best in the present, and hand over the uncertainty of the future to a higher wisdom. When anxiety rises, remind yourself that there is a vast intelligence that sees the whole picture. At the same time, approach spiritual knowledge with humility. Keep learning, and remain open to what you do not yet understand.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has said that He knows all beings in all times, but no one knows Him. This raises the question of what causes this deep ignorance in living beings. In the next verse, He identifies the cause as the delusion of dualities that arise from desire and aversion.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Eternity sees what time unfolds.
The wise know that they do not know everything.
Some truths are met with awe, not answers.
Trust what you cannot yet see in time.
Past, present and future are one view to the timeless.
To be fully known is a gift only the Divine gives.
The mind that stops grasping begins to receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'samatītāni vartamānāni bhaviṣhyāṇi' (past, present and future) mean here?
What does 'veda' (knows) emphasize in this verse?
If 'na kaśhchana' (no one) knows the Supreme, how can seekers know Him?
What does 'bhūtāni' (beings) refer to in this verse?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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