In Bhagavad Gita 15.18, Krishna says that since he is beyond the perishable and higher than the imperishable, he is known in the world and the Veda as Purushottama.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहम्
अक्षरादपि चोत्तमः
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च
प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ १५-१८ ॥
yasmātkṣaramatīto’ham
akṣarādapi cottamaḥ
ato’smi loke vede ca
prathitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ
English transliteration yasmaatksharamateeto’ham
aksharaadapi chottamah
ato’smi loke vede cha
prathitah purushottamah ॥ 15.18 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Because I am beyond the perishable and higher even than the imperishable, I am celebrated in the world and in the Veda as Purushottama, the Supreme Person.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यस्मात् yasmāt | because |
| क्षरम् kṣaram | the perishable |
| अतीतः atītaḥ | beyond |
| अहम् aham | I |
| अक्षरात् akṣarāt | than the imperishable |
| अपि api | even |
| च ca | and |
| उत्तमः uttamaḥ | higher |
| अतः ataḥ | therefore |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| लोके loke | in the world |
| वेदे vede | in the Veda |
| च ca | and |
| प्रथितः prathitaḥ | celebrated |
| पुरुषोत्तमः puruṣottamaḥ | Puruṣottama, the Supreme Person puruṣa (Person) + uttamaḥ (supreme) |
Word-wise Chanting
- yas–māt–kṣa–ra–ma–tī–to–‘ham– 8 syllables yas-maat-ksha-ra-ma-tee-to-‘ham-
- a–kṣa–rā–da–pi cot–ta–maḥ | 8 syllables a-ksha-raa-da-pi chot-ta-mah
- a–to–‘smi lo–ke ve–de ca 8 syllables a-to-‘smi lo-ke ve-de cha
- pra–thi–taḥ pu–ru–ṣot–ta–maḥ || 15-18 8 syllables pra-thi-tah pu-ru-shot-ta-mah
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 15 Verse 18
Context
Krishna identifies himself as the Supreme Person (15.16–15.18).
Meaning
Krishna transcends the kṣara, the perishable, and is higher even than the akṣara, the imperishable. Therefore he is known as Puruṣottama, the Supreme Person, the name that gives this chapter its title.
The personal Divine is here presented as the highest reality, encompassing and going beyond all categories.
In Practice
Use the name Purushottama in prayer today, reflecting on its meaning.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (The Supreme Person). 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.