Chapter 9 · Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga - The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal SecretKrishna
Verse 18
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 9, श्लोक 18
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत्।
प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम्॥१८॥
Transliteration
Gatir-Bharta Prabhuh Sakshi Nivasah Sharanam Suhrit.
Prabhavah Pralayah Sthanam Nidhanam Bijam-Avyayam.||18||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
गतिःgatihthe goal/destination
भर्ताbhartathe sustainer
प्रभुःprabhuhthe Lord/master
साक्षीsakshithe witness
निवासःnivasahthe abode
शरणम्sharanamthe refuge/shelter
सुहृत्suhritthe well-wishing friend
प्रभवःprabhavahthe origin/creation
प्रलयःpralayahthe dissolution
स्थानम्sthanamthe foundation
निधानम्nidhanamthe resting place/treasure
बीजम्bijamthe seed
अव्ययम्avyayamimperishable
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
मैं गति (परम लक्ष्य) हूँ, भर्ता (पोषक) हूँ, प्रभु (स्वामी) हूँ, साक्षी हूँ, निवास (आश्रय-स्थान) हूँ, शरण हूँ, सुहृद् (निःस्वार्थ मित्र) हूँ, उत्पत्ति हूँ, प्रलय हूँ, आधार हूँ, निधान (भण्डार) हूँ और अव्यय (अविनाशी) बीज हूँ।
English Translation
I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the well-wishing friend, the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the resting place, and the imperishable seed.
Commentary (टीका)
This extraordinary verse lists twelve aspects of God's relationship with creation. Among these, 'suhrit' (selfless friend) is especially touching — God is not just a distant cosmic principle but an intimate, well-wishing companion of every soul. And 'bijam avyayam' (imperishable seed) means He is the eternal source from which all of creation sprouts, again and again.