In Bhagavad Gita 7.26, Krishna says he knows all beings of the past, present and future, but no one knows him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
वेदाहं समतीतानि
वर्तमानानि चार्जुन
भविष्याणि च भूतानि
मां तु वेद न कश्चन ॥ ७-२६ ॥
vedāhaṃ samatītāni
vartamānāni cārjuna
bhaviṣyāṇi ca bhūtāni
māṃ tu veda na kaścana
English transliteration vedaaham samateetaani
vartamaanaani chaarjuna
bhavishyaani cha bhootaani
maam tu veda na kashchana ॥ 7.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
I know the beings of the past, those of the present and those that are yet to come, O Arjuna; but no one knows Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| वेद veda | know |
| अहम् aham | I |
| समतीतानि samatītāni | those of the past |
| वर्तमानानि vartamānāni | those of the present |
| च ca | and |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
| भविष्याणि bhaviṣyāṇi | those of the future |
| च ca | and |
| भूतानि bhūtāni | beings |
| माम् mām | Me |
| तु tu | but |
| वेद veda | knows |
| न na | not |
| कश्चन kaścana | anyone |
Word-wise Chanting
- ve–dā–haṃ sa–ma–tī–tā–ni 8 syllables ve-daa-ham sa-ma-tee-taa-ni
- var–ta–mā–nā–ni cār–ju–na | 8 syllables var-ta-maa-naa-ni chaar-ju-na
- bha–viṣ–yā–ṇi ca bhū–tā–ni 8 syllables bha-vish-yaa-ni cha bhoo-taa-ni
- māṃ tu ve–da na kaś–ca–na || 7-26 8 syllables maam tu ve-da na kash-cha-na
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 26
Context
Krishna describes his all-knowing nature (7.26–7.27).
Meaning
The Divine is the witness of all time: past, present and future. Nothing is hidden from it. Yet no being, through ordinary means, can fully know the Divine, because the knower cannot encompass the source of knowing. The Divine is known only when it reveals itself.
This verse inspires both comfort and humility. We are fully known, and therefore not alone. And our understanding of the Divine will always be incomplete, which keeps us humble and open.
In Practice
Rest for a moment in the thought that you are fully known by the Divine, with all your past and future. Let that bring peace.
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.