Bhagavad Gita · Purushottama Yoga — The Supreme Person
Chapter 15, Verse 18
"Bhagavad Gita 15.18" — meaning and explanation.
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः | अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः
yasmātkṣaramatīto.ahamakṣarādapi cottamaḥ . ato.asmi loke vedeca prathitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ
Meaning
15.18 As I transcend the perishable and am even higher than the imperishable, I am declared to be the highest Purusha in the world and in the Vedas.
।।15.18।। क्योंकि मैं क्षर से अतीत हूँ और अक्षर से भी उत्तम हूँ, इसलिये लोक में और वेद में भी पुरुषोत्तम के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हूँ।।
Explanation
15.18 यस्मात् as? क्षरम् the perishable? अतीतः transcend? अहम् I? अक्षरात् than the imperishable? अपि also? च and? उत्तमः best? अतः therefore? अस्मि (I) am? लोके in the world? वेदे in the Vedas? च and? प्रथितः declared? पुरुषोत्तमः the Highest Purusha.Commentary Purushottama is a wellknown name of the Lord. The name is ite appropriate as He is the supreme Purusha.Kshara The perishable -- the tree of Samsara.Akshara The imperishable -- the seed of the tree of Samsara.Because I excel the perishable (the tree of illusory Samsara) and am more excellent also than the imperishable (the seed of the tree of the illusory Samsara) and because I am thus superior to the perishable and the imperishable? I am proclaimed in the world and in the Vedas as the highest Purusha. Devotees know Me as such. Poets also describe Me as such.I am beyond all limitations. There is no trace of dualism in Me. Therefore? I am called by all and by the scriptures the highest Purusha.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 15.18 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15, verse 18, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 15.18
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 15.18 mean?
15.18 As I transcend the perishable and am even higher than the imperishable, I am declared to be the highest Purusha in the world and in the Vedas.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 15.18 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15, verse 18, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.