In Bhagavad Gita 10.15, Arjuna says that Krishna alone knows himself by himself, the Supreme Person, source and Lord of beings, God of gods, Lord of the universe.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
स्वयमेवात्मनात्मानं
वेत्थ त्वं पुरुषोत्तम
भूतभावन भूतेश
देवदेव जगत्पते ॥ १०-१५ ॥
svayamevātmanātmānaṃ
vettha tvaṃ puruṣottama
bhūtabhāvana bhūteśa
devadeva jagatpate
English transliteration svayamevaatmanaatmaanam
vettha tvam purushottama
bhootabhaavana bhootesha
devadeva jagatpate ॥ 10.15 ॥
Translation / Meaning
You alone know Yourself by Yourself, O Supreme Person, source of beings, Lord of beings, God of gods, Lord of the universe.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| स्वयम् svayam | Yourself |
| एव eva | alone |
| आत्मना ātmanā | by Yourself |
| आत्मानम् ātmānam | Yourself |
| वेत्थ vettha | know |
| त्वम् tvam | You |
| पुरुषोत्तम puruṣottama | O Supreme Person |
| भूतभावन bhūtabhāvana | source of beings bhūta (beings) + bhāvana (source) |
| भूतेश bhūteśa | Lord of beings bhūta (beings) + īśa (Lord) |
| देवदेव devadeva | God of gods deva (gods) + deva (God) |
| जगत्पते jagatpate | Lord of the universe jagat (universe) + pate (Lord) |
Word-wise Chanting
- sva–ya–me–vāt–ma–nāt–mā–naṃ 8 syllables sva-ya-me-vaat-ma-naat-maa-nam
- vet–tha tvaṃ pu–ru–ṣot–ta–ma | 8 syllables vet-tha tvam pu-ru-shot-ta-ma
- bhū–ta–bhā–va–na bhū–te–śa 8 syllables bhoo-ta-bhaa-va-na bhoo-te-sha
- de–va–de–va ja–gat–pa–te || 10-15 8 syllables de-va-de-va ja-gat-pa-te
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 15
Context
Arjuna continues his response (10.12–10.18).
Meaning
The Divine is the only one who can know itself completely, ātmanā ātmānam, by itself. Arjuna addresses Krishna with a series of names: Puruṣottama, the highest Person; Bhūta-bhāvana, creator of beings; Bhūteśa, their Lord; Deva-deva, God of gods; Jagat-pati, Lord of the world.
Our knowledge of the Divine is always partial. Yet the Divine within us knows itself, and in that knowing we can participate.
In Practice
Use one of these divine names in your prayer today, feeling its meaning.
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.