In Bhagavad Gita 7.10, Krishna says he is the eternal seed of all beings, the intelligence of the intelligent and the brilliance of the brilliant.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां
विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम्
बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि
तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ॥ ७-१० ॥
bījaṃ māṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ
viddhi pārtha sanātanam
buddhirbuddhimatāmasmi
tejastejasvināmaham
English transliteration beejam maam sarvabhootaanaam
viddhi paartha sanaatanam
buddhirbuddhimataamasmi
tejastejasvinaamaham ॥ 7.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Know Me, O Partha, to be the eternal seed of all beings. I am the intelligence of the intelligent and the splendour of the splendid.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| बीजम् bījam | seed |
| माम् mām | Me |
| सर्वभूतानाम् sarvabhūtānām | of all beings |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| सनातनम् sanātanam | eternal |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | intelligence |
| बुद्धिमताम् buddhimatām | of the intelligent |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| तेजः tejaḥ | splendour |
| तेजस्विनाम् tejasvinām | of the splendid |
| अहम् aham | I |
Word-wise Chanting
- bī–jaṃ māṃ sar–va–bhū–tā–nāṃ 8 syllables bee-jam maam sar-va-bhoo-taa-naam
- vid–dhi pār–tha sa–nā–ta–nam | 8 syllables vid-dhi paar-tha sa-naa-ta-nam
- bud–dhir–bud–dhi–ma–tā–mas–mi 8 syllables bud-dhir-bud-dhi-ma-taa-mas-mi
- te–jas–te–jas–vi–nā–ma–ham || 7-10 8 syllables te-jas-te-jas-vi-naa-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 7 Verse 10
Context
The list of divine essences continues (7.8–7.11).
Meaning
Every being grows from a bīja, a seed, and the Divine is the sanātana bīja, the eternal seed from which all beings spring. The Divine is also the intelligence in the intelligent and the radiance in those who shine with greatness. Whatever is excellent in any being is the Divine shining through it.
This verse fosters humility and reverence. When we admire someone’s brilliance, we are really admiring the Divine in them. And our own talents are not personal possessions but expressions of the same source.
In Practice
When you admire someone’s talent today, silently honour the Divine source of that talent, in them and in yourself.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). 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.