In Bhagavad Gita 10.25, Krishna says that among great sages he is Bhrigu, among words the one syllable Om, among sacrifices the sacrifice of japa, and among immovable things the Himalaya.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
महर्षीणां भृगुरहं
गिरामस्म्येकमक्षरम्
यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि
स्थावराणां हिमालयः ॥ १०-२५ ॥
maharṣīṇāṃ bhṛgurahaṃ
girāmasmyekamakṣaram
yajñānāṃ japayajño’smi
sthāvarāṇāṃ himālayaḥ
English transliteration maharsheenaam bhriguraham
giraamasmyekamaksharam
yajnaanaam japayajno’smi
sthaavaraanaam himaalayah ॥ 10.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Among the great sages I am Bhrigu; among words I am the single syllable Om; among sacrifices I am the sacrifice of silent repetition; among immovable things, the Himalaya.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| महर्षीणाम् maharṣīṇām | among the great sages |
| भृगुः bhṛguḥ | Bhṛgu |
| अहम् aham | I |
| गिराम् girām | among words |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| एकम् ekam | the single |
| अक्षरम् akṣaram | syllable |
| यज्ञानाम् yajñānām | among sacrifices |
| जपयज्ञः japayajñaḥ | the sacrifice of repetition japa (repetition of a mantra) + yajñaḥ (sacrifice) |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| स्थावराणाम् sthāvarāṇām | among immovable things |
| हिमालयः himālayaḥ | the Himālaya |
Word-wise Chanting
- ma–har–ṣī–ṇāṃ bhṛ–gu–ra–haṃ 8 syllables ma-har-shee-naam bhri-gu-ra-ham
- gi–rā–mas–mye–ka–ma–kṣa–ram | 8 syllables gi-raa-mas-mye-ka-ma-ksha-ram
- ya–jñā–nāṃ ja–pa–ya–jño–‘smi 8 syllables ya-jnaa-naam ja-pa-ya-jno-‘smi
- sthā–va–rā–ṇāṃ hi–mā–la–yaḥ || 10-25 8 syllables sthaa-va-raa-naam hi-maa-la-yah
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 25
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
Bhṛgu is foremost among the great sages; Om, the single syllable, is the supreme word; japa-yajña, the repetition of a sacred name or mantra, is the highest sacrifice; and the Himālaya is the greatest of unmoving things.
The inclusion of japa is significant. It is the simplest form of worship, requiring no materials, yet Krishna calls it the best of sacrifices. Anyone can practise it anywhere.
In Practice
Practise japa today: repeat a sacred name or mantra silently for five minutes.
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.