In Bhagavad Gita 11.43, Arjuna says Krishna is the father of all that moves and does not move, its worthy object of worship and greatest teacher; none is equal to him in the three worlds, let alone greater.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य
त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान्
न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो
लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव ॥ ११-४३ ॥
pitāsi lokasya carācarasya
tvamasya pūjyaśca gururgarīyān
na tvatsamo’styabhyadhikaḥ kuto’nyo
lokatraye’pyapratimaprabhāva
English transliteration pitaasi lokasya charaacharasya
tvamasya poojyashcha gururgareeyaan
na tvatsamo’styabhyadhikah kuto’nyo
lokatraye’pyapratimaprabhaava ॥ 11.43 ॥
Translation / Meaning
You are the father of this world of moving and unmoving things, its object of worship and its greatest teacher. There is none equal to You in the three worlds; how could there be anyone greater, O You of incomparable power?
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पिता pitā | father |
| असि asi | You are |
| लोकस्य lokasya | of the world |
| चराचरस्य carācarasya | of moving and unmoving |
| त्वम् tvam | You |
| अस्य asya | of this |
| पूज्यः pūjyaḥ | object of worship |
| च ca | and |
| गुरुः guruḥ | teacher |
| गरीयान् garīyān | greatest |
| न na | not |
| त्वत्समः tvatsamaḥ | equal to You tvat (You) + samaḥ (equal) |
| अस्ति asti | is |
| अभ्यधिकः abhyadhikaḥ | greater |
| कुतः kutaḥ | how |
| अन्यः anyaḥ | another |
| लोकत्रये lokatraye | in the three worlds |
| अपि api | even |
| अप्रतिमप्रभाव apratimaprabhāva | O You of incomparable power apratima (incomparable) + prabhāva (power) |
Word-wise Chanting
- pi–tā–si lo–kas–ya ca–rā–ca–ras–ya 11 syllables pi-taa-si lo-kas-ya cha-raa-cha-ras-ya
- tva–mas–ya pūj–yaś–ca gu–rur–ga–rī–yān | 11 syllables tva-mas-ya pooj-yash-cha gu-rur-ga-ree-yaan
- na tvat–sa–mo–‘styabh–ya–dhi–kaḥ ku–to–‘nyo 11 syllables na tvat-sa-mo-‘styabh-ya-dhi-kah ku-to-‘nyo
- lo–kat–ra–ye–‘pyap–ra–ti–map–ra–bhā–va || 11-43 11 syllables lo-kat-ra-ye-‘pyap-ra-ti-map-ra-bhaa-va
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 11 Verse 43
Context
Arjuna continues his hymn (11.36–11.46).
Meaning
The Divine is the pitā, father, of the world; pūjya, worthy of all worship; and garīyān guru, the greatest teacher. Nothing in the three worlds is its equal, and nothing could surpass it. Its power is apratima, without comparison.
The Divine is both father and teacher: one who gives life and one who gives wisdom. This combines love and guidance.
In Practice
Relate to the Divine today as both a loving parent and a wise teacher. Ask for both care and guidance.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (The Vision of the Universal Form). 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.