In Bhagavad Gita 10.12, Arjuna declares that Krishna is the supreme Brahman, the supreme abode, the supreme purifier, the eternal divine Person, the first God, unborn and all-pervading.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
परं ब्रह्म परं धाम
पवित्रं परमं भवान्
पुरुषं शाश्वतं दिव्यम्
आदिदेवमजं विभुम् ॥ १०-१२ ॥
paraṃ brahma paraṃ dhāma
pavitraṃ paramaṃ bhavān
puruṣaṃ śāśvataṃ divyam
ādidevamajaṃ vibhum
English transliteration param brahma param dhaama
pavitram paramam bhavaan
purusham shaashvatam divyam
aadidevamajam vibhum ॥ 10.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Arjuna said: You are the supreme Brahman, the supreme abode, the supreme purifier, the eternal divine Person, the primal God, unborn and all-pervading.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| परम् param | supreme |
| ब्रह्म brahma | Brahman |
| परम् param | supreme |
| धाम dhāma | abode |
| पवित्रम् pavitram | purifier |
| परमम् paramam | supreme |
| भवान् bhavān | You |
| पुरुषम् puruṣam | Person |
| शाश्वतम् śāśvatam | eternal |
| दिव्यम् divyam | divine |
| आदिदेवम् ādidevam | the primal God ādi (primal) + devam (God) |
| अजम् ajam | unborn |
| विभुम् vibhum | all-pervading |
Word-wise Chanting
- pa–raṃ brah–ma pa–raṃ dhā–ma 8 syllables pa-ram brah-ma pa-ram dhaa-ma
- pa–vit–raṃ pa–ra–maṃ bha–vān | 8 syllables pa-vit-ram pa-ra-mam bha-vaan
- pu–ru–ṣaṃ śāś–va–taṃ div–yam– 8 syllables pu-ru-sham shaash-va-tam div-yam-
- ā–di–de–va–ma–jaṃ vi–bhum || 10-12 8 syllables aa-di-de-va-ma-jam vi-bhum
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 10 Verse 12
Context
Arjuna responds to Krishna’s revelation (10.12–10.18).
Meaning
Moved by what he has heard, Arjuna proclaims Krishna to be para brahma, the Absolute; para dhāma, the highest abode; and parama pavitra, the supreme purifier. He is the śāśvata divya puruṣa, the eternal divine Person; ādi-deva, the first of the gods; aja, unborn; and vibhu, all-pervading.
Arjuna’s words show his understanding has deepened. His friend and charioteer is revealed as the Supreme. Recognition of the Divine naturally breaks out in praise.
In Practice
Express your own recognition of the Divine in a few words of praise today, spoken or written.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (The Divine Manifestations). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.