In Bhagavad Gita 7.19, Krishna says that at the end of many births, the wise person takes refuge in him, realising that Vasudeva is all; such a great soul is very rare.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते
ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते
वासुदेवः सर्वमिति
स महात्मा सुदुर्लभः ॥ ७-१९ ॥
bahūnāṃ janmanāmante
jñānavānmāṃ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvamiti
sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ
English transliteration bahoonaam janmanaamante
jnaanavaanmaam prapadyate
vaasudevah sarvamiti
sa mahaatmaa sudurlabhah ॥ 7.19 ॥
Translation / Meaning
At the end of many births, the wise person takes refuge in Me, realising that Vasudeva is all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| बहूनाम् bahūnām | of many |
| जन्मनाम् janmanām | births |
| अन्ते ante | at the end |
| ज्ञानवान् jñānavān | the wise |
| माम् mām | in Me |
| प्रपद्यते prapadyate | takes refuge |
| वासुदेवः vāsudevaḥ | Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) |
| सर्वम् sarvam | all |
| इति iti | thus |
| सः saḥ | he |
| महात्मा mahātmā | great soul |
| सुदुर्लभः sudurlabhaḥ | very rare |
Word-wise Chanting
- ba–hū–nāṃ jan–ma–nā–man–te 8 syllables ba-hoo-naam jan-ma-naa-man-te
- jñā–na–vān–māṃ pra–pad–ya–te | 8 syllables jnaa-na-vaan-maam pra-pad-ya-te
- vā–su–de–vaḥ sar–va–mi–ti 8 syllables vaa-su-de-vah sar-va-mi-ti
- sa ma–hāt–mā su–dur–la–bhaḥ || 7-19 8 syllables sa ma-haat-maa su-dur-la-bhah
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 19
Context
Krishna describes the culmination of the long spiritual journey.
Meaning
The journey of wisdom spans many lives. At its end, the wise person realises vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti: Vasudeva, the Divine, is everything. This is not a belief but a direct seeing of the Divine in all. Such a mahātmā, great soul, is sudurlabha, extremely rare.
The phrase vāsudevaḥ sarvam has become one of the most cherished expressions of the Gita’s vision. It describes a consciousness in which everything is seen as divine. Though rare, it is the destination of every sincere seeker.
In Practice
Repeat silently today the phrase “Vasudeva is all,” and try to see each person and thing in its light.
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.