Bhagavad Gita 8.9 — Meditating on the Supreme as the All-Knowing, Subtle, Sun-Radiant Sustainer
कविं पुराणमनुशासितारमणोरणीयांसमनुस्मरेद्यः ।
सर्वस्य धातारमचिन्त्यरूपमादित्यवर्णं तमसः परस्तात् ॥ ८.९ ॥
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One who meditates upon the all-knowing, ancient Controller, subtler than the atom, the Sustainer of all, of inconceivable form, radiant like the sun and beyond the darkness of ignorance...
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kavim | the all-knowing seer |
| purāṇam | ancient, primordial |
| anuśhāsitāram | the controller, the ruler |
| aṇoḥ | than the atom |
| aṇīyāṁsam | subtler, smaller |
| anusmaret | meditates upon, remembers |
| yaḥ | one who |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sarvasya | of all |
| dhātāram | the supporter, the sustainer |
| achintya-rūpam | of inconceivable form |
| āditya-varṇam | sun-like in radiance |
| tamasaḥ | of darkness, of ignorance |
| parastāt | beyond |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kavim | the all-knowing seer | sarvasya | of all |
| purāṇam | ancient, primordial | dhātāram | the supporter, the sustainer |
| anuśhāsitāram | the controller, the ruler | achintya-rūpam | of inconceivable form |
| aṇoḥ | than the atom | āditya-varṇam | sun-like in radiance |
| aṇīyāṁsam | subtler, smaller | tamasaḥ | of darkness, of ignorance |
| anusmaret | meditates upon, remembers | parastāt | beyond |
| yaḥ | one who | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now describes the Supreme Person on whom one should meditate: the all-knowing, the ancient, the ruler, subtler than the subtlest, the supporter of all, of inconceivable form, radiant like the sun, and beyond darkness.
Essence
A Portrait of the Supreme for Meditation
Having prescribed constant contemplation, Lord Krishna now offers a rich set of attributes for the mind to dwell upon. This verse works like a guided meditation, giving the seeker concrete qualities to hold in mind.
Kaviṁ (the all-knowing): The word kavi means a seer or one of perfect wisdom. The Lord knows all things, past, present, and future, and nothing is hidden from Him.
Purāṇam (the ancient): He is without beginning, older than all that exists, and the source of time itself.
Anuśāsitāram (the controller or ruler): He is the inner governor who sustains the order of the universe and guides every being.
Aṇor aṇīyāṁsam (subtler than the subtlest): He is more subtle than the smallest particle, present in the innermost depths of existence. This suggests that He is closer to us than anything else.
Sarvasya dhātāram (the supporter of all): He sustains and nourishes every being, like a foundation beneath a building.
Acintya-rūpam (of inconceivable form): His nature cannot be fully grasped by the limited mind. The word acintya means beyond thought. Meditation on Him includes an awareness of mystery and wonder, which gently humbles the mind.
Āditya-varṇam (radiant like the sun): He is self-luminous, shining with spiritual brilliance.
Tamasaḥ parastāt (beyond darkness): He is beyond ignorance and delusion. He is untouched by the darkness that clouds the minds of beings.
A balanced portrait: The verse combines grandeur (ancient, ruler, supporter) with intimacy (subtler than the subtlest), and radiance with mystery. This variety helps different temperaments find an entry point into contemplation.
Message for Everyday Life (Giving the Mind Something Worthy to Dwell On)
Choose your focus deliberately: The mind needs something to hold. Without a worthy object, it tends to dwell on worries or distractions.
Practical approach: During a quiet moment, pick one quality from this verse, such as being the supporter of all or beyond darkness, and reflect on it slowly for a few minutes. Let it bring a sense of trust or calm. Practising in this way provides a mental refuge you can return to during stressful times.
A Portrait of the Supreme for Meditation
Having prescribed constant contemplation, Lord Krishna now offers a rich set of attributes for the mind to dwell upon. This verse works like a guided meditation, giving the seeker concrete qualities to hold in mind.
Kaviṁ (the all-knowing): The word kavi means a seer or one of perfect wisdom. The Lord knows all things, past, present, and future, and nothing is hidden from Him.
Purāṇam (the ancient): He is without beginning, older than all that exists, and the source of time itself.
Anuśāsitāram (the controller or ruler): He is the inner governor who sustains the order of the universe and guides every being.
Aṇor aṇīyāṁsam (subtler than the subtlest): He is more subtle than the smallest particle, present in the innermost depths of existence. This suggests that He is closer to us than anything else.
Sarvasya dhātāram (the supporter of all): He sustains and nourishes every being, like a foundation beneath a building.
Acintya-rūpam (of inconceivable form): His nature cannot be fully grasped by the limited mind. The word acintya means beyond thought. Meditation on Him includes an awareness of mystery and wonder, which gently humbles the mind.
Āditya-varṇam (radiant like the sun): He is self-luminous, shining with spiritual brilliance.
Tamasaḥ parastāt (beyond darkness): He is beyond ignorance and delusion. He is untouched by the darkness that clouds the minds of beings.
A balanced portrait: The verse combines grandeur (ancient, ruler, supporter) with intimacy (subtler than the subtlest), and radiance with mystery. This variety helps different temperaments find an entry point into contemplation.
Message for Everyday Life (Giving the Mind Something Worthy to Dwell On)
Choose your focus deliberately: The mind needs something to hold. Without a worthy object, it tends to dwell on worries or distractions.
Practical approach: During a quiet moment, pick one quality from this verse, such as being the supporter of all or beyond darkness, and reflect on it slowly for a few minutes. Let it bring a sense of trust or calm. Practising in this way provides a mental refuge you can return to during stressful times.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the qualities of the Supreme Person for meditation. He now explains how an accomplished yogi, at the time of death, fixes the life-force between the eyebrows and reaches that Supreme Person, in the next verse.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Meditate on light, and darkness loses its hold.
The subtlest presence holds the largest world.
Some truths are met with silence.
A quiet intelligence keeps the world in order.
The oldest is also the nearest.
Every being rests on one unseen support.
Contemplation begins with reverence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'kavim' (the all-knowing seer) mean?
What does 'aṇoḥ aṇīyāṁsam' (subtler than the atom) mean?
What does 'achintya-rūpam' (of inconceivable form) mean?
What does 'āditya-varṇam tamasaḥ parastāt' (sun-like and beyond darkness) indicate?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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