In Bhagavad Gita 10.32, Krishna says he is the beginning, middle and end of creations; among sciences, the knowledge of the Self; and among debaters, the reasoning that seeks truth.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सर्गाणामादिरन्तश्च
मध्यं चैवाहमर्जुन
अध्यात्मविद्या विद्यानां
वादः प्रवदतामहम् ॥ १०-३२ ॥
sargāṇāmādirantaśca
madhyaṃ caivāhamarjuna
adhyātmavidyā vidyānāṃ
vādaḥ pravadatāmaham
English transliteration sargaanaamaadirantashcha
madhyam chaivaahamarjuna
adhyaatmavidyaa vidyaanaam
vaadah pravadataamaham ॥ 10.32 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Of all creations I am the beginning, the end and also the middle, O Arjuna. Among sciences I am the science of the Self; and among those who debate, I am the discussion that seeks truth.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सर्गाणाम् sargāṇām | of creations |
| आदिः ādiḥ | beginning |
| अन्तः antaḥ | end |
| च ca | and |
| मध्यम् madhyam | middle |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | also |
| अहम् aham | I |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
| अध्यात्मविद्या adhyātmavidyā | the science of the Self adhyātma (the Self) + vidyā (science) |
| विद्यानाम् vidyānām | among sciences |
| वादः vādaḥ | discussion seeking truth |
| प्रवदताम् pravadatām | among those who debate |
| अहम् aham | I |
Word-wise Chanting
- sar–gā–ṇā–mā–di–ran–taś–ca 8 syllables sar-gaa-naa-maa-di-ran-tash-cha
- madh–yaṃ cai–vā–ha–mar–ju–na | 8 syllables madh-yam chai-vaa-ha-mar-ju-na
- adh–yāt–ma–vid–yā vid–yā–nāṃ 8 syllables adh-yaat-ma-vid-yaa vid-yaa-naam
- vā–daḥ pra–va–da–tā–ma–ham || 10-32 8 syllables vaa-dah pra-va-da-taa-ma-ham
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 32
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
The Divine is the beginning, middle and end of all creation. Among all branches of knowledge, adhyātma-vidyā, knowledge of the Self, is supreme, for it reveals what all other knowledge rests on. Among forms of argument, vāda, honest discussion aimed at truth rather than victory, is the Divine.
Krishna distinguishes vāda from argument for its own sake. Discussion that seeks truth is sacred; argument that seeks only to win is not.
In Practice
In your next discussion or disagreement, aim at finding the truth rather than winning.
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.