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Bhagavad-gītā 9.18

गतिर्भर्ता प्रभु: साक्षी निवास: शरणं सुहृत् । प्रभव: प्रलय: स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम् ॥ १८ ॥
gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī
[gatir bhartaa prabhuh saakshee]
nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṁ suhṛt
[nivaasah sharanam suhrit]
prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ
[prabhavah pralayah sthaanam]
nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam
[nidhaanam beejam avyayam]
Word-for-word
gatiḥ — goal bhartā — sustainer prabhuḥ — Lord sākṣī — witness nivāsaḥ — abode śaraṇam — refuge su - hṛt — most intimate friend prabhavaḥ — creation pralayaḥ — dissolution sthānam — ground nidhānam — resting place bījam — seed avyayam — imperishable .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī
gatiḥ
goal
bhartā
sustainer
prabhuḥ
Lord
sākṣī
witness
nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṁ suhṛt
nivāsaḥ
abode
śaraṇam
refuge
su - hṛt
most intimate friend
prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ
prabhavaḥ
creation
pralayaḥ
dissolution
sthānam
ground
nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam
nidhānam
resting place
bījam
seed
avyayam
imperishable .
Important Words
  • gatiḥ — the goal
    From √gam — that to which one goes. The destination of all paths. Whatever appears to be the goal is a sub-goal under the gati that is Him.
  • bhartā — the sustainer
    From √bhṛ — to bear, support. He who carries the burden of the universe's sustenance. A king is a bhartā of his subjects; Kṛṣṇa is the bhartā of all kings.
  • sākṣī — the witness
    Sa + akṣa — with the eye. The witness, the seer who is unaffected by what He sees. Important: not a removed observer, but the constant interior witness of every soul's experience.
  • nivāsaḥ — the abode
    Ni + √vas — to dwell. He is the dwelling place. We do not just live in the world; we live in Him. The world is His apartment; the apartment is Him too.
  • śaraṇam — the refuge
    From √śri — to take shelter. The classic word of the bhakti tradition. He is śaraṇa — that to which one runs in emergency. Sarva-dharmān parityajya in chapter 18 will give the verb for this noun.
  • su - hṛt — the dearmost friend
    Su (good) + hṛd (heart). Literally 'good-hearted one' — the friend who wishes well without being asked. Kṛṣṇa names Himself friend of every being, even those who do not yet know they have such a friend.
  • bījam — the seed
    Seed — the originating cause. Paired in this verse with avyayam (eternal). Material seeds give one tree and are gone; this seed gives all trees of all times without depletion.
  • avyayam — eternal, inexhaustible
    A- + vyaya — never depleted. The same avyayam that closed 9.13 closes 9.18 — Kṛṣṇa as the never-spent substance under every passing form.
I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
A litany of twelve identities saturates the verse: Kṛṣṇa is destination, sustainer, ruler, observer, abode, refuge, and friend — and the entire cosmic process of arising, abiding, dissolving, and re-arising. He is both relation and metaphysics.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
Notice 'suhṛt' (dear friend) nestled between cosmic titles — the personal note that marks all of Chapter 9. 'Bījam avyayam' echoes BG 7.10 (sarva-bhūtānāṁ bījam) and anticipates 10.39. The verse is meditatively chant-like; tradition often recites it as a standalone stuti. Cross-ref BG 11.18, 14.27.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
(अहम् एव) गतिः, भर्ता, प्रभुः, साक्षी, निवासः, शरणम्, सुहृत्; प्रभवः, प्रलयः, स्थानम्, निधानम्, अव्ययं बीजं च (अस्मि) ।
(aham eva) gatiḥ, bhartā, prabhuḥ, sākṣī, nivāsaḥ, śaraṇam, suhṛt; prabhavaḥ, pralayaḥ, sthānam, nidhānam, avyayaṃ bījaṃ ca (asmi) |
I am the goal, the upholder, the lord, the witness, the dwelling, the shelter, the dear friend; the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the storehouse, and the imperishable seed.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
गतिः भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत् । प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजम् अव्ययम् ॥
gatiḥ bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṃ suhṛt | prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṃ nidhānaṃ bījam avyayam ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
गतिः gatiḥ गति (f.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) goal
भर्ता bhartā भर्तृ (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) upholder
प्रभुः prabhuḥ प्रभु (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) lord
साक्षी sākṣī साक्षिन् (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) witness
निवासः nivāsaḥ निवास (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) dwelling
शरणम् śaraṇam शरण (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) shelter
सुहृत् suhṛt सु + हृद् (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular), bahuvrīhi cpd. (of good heart) dear friend
प्रभवः prabhavaḥ प्रभव (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) origin
प्रलयः pralayaḥ प्रलय (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) dissolution
स्थानम् sthānam स्थान (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) foundation
निधानम् nidhānam निधान (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) treasure-store
बीजम् bījam बीज (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) seed
अव्ययम् avyayam अव्यय (adj.) nom.sg. (nominative singular)n. imperishable
Purport

Gati means the destination where we want to go. But the ultimate goal is Kṛṣṇa, although people do not know it. One who does not know Kṛṣṇa is misled, and his so-called progressive march is either partial or hallucinatory. There are many who make as their destination different demigods, and by rigid performance of the strict respective methods they reach different planets known as Candraloka, Sūryaloka, Indraloka, Maharloka, etc. But all such lokas, or planets, being creations of Kṛṣṇa, are simultaneously Kṛṣṇa and not Kṛṣṇa. Such planets, being manifestations of Kṛṣṇa’s energy, are also Kṛṣṇa, but actually they serve only as a step forward for realization of Kṛṣṇa. To approach the different energies of Kṛṣṇa is to approach Kṛṣṇa indirectly. One should directly approach Kṛṣṇa, for that will save time and energy. For example, if there is a possibility of going to the top of a building by the help of an elevator, why should one go by the staircase, step by step? Everything is resting on Kṛṣṇa’s energy; therefore without Kṛṣṇa’s shelter nothing can exist. Kṛṣṇa is the supreme ruler because everything belongs to Him and everything exists on His energy. Kṛṣṇa, being situated in everyone’s heart, is the supreme witness. The residences, countries or planets on which we live are also Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal of shelter, and therefore one should take shelter of Kṛṣṇa either for protection or for annihilation of his distress. And whenever we have to take protection, we should know that our protection must be a living force. Kṛṣṇa is the supreme living entity. And since Kṛṣṇa is the source of our generation, or the supreme father, no one can be a better friend than Kṛṣṇa, nor can anyone be a better well-wisher. Kṛṣṇa is the original source of creation and the ultimate rest after annihilation. Kṛṣṇa is therefore the eternal cause of all causes.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
16-19. I am the sacrifices mentioned in the śruti and smṛti, the offering to the Pitṛs, the herbs, the mantra, the ghee, the fire and the act of offering. I am the father of the universe, the mother, the maintainer, the grandfather, the object of knowledge, the purifier, om, the Ṛk, Sāma and Yajur Vedas. I am the result, the master, the controller, the witness, the abode, the shelter, the friend. I am creation, destruction and maintenance, the treasure, the indestructible cause. I create heat, withdraw rain and then shower it. I am liberation and bondage, the subtle and gross, O Arjuna.
Commentary

“How one can worship You as viśvarūpa in many ways (bahudhā)?” The Lord speaks four verses in response. Kratu means sacrifices mentioned in the śruti like the agniṣṭoma. Yajña refers to sacrifices mentioned in the smṛtis like vaiśvadeva-homa. Auṣadham refers to food made from herbs. I am the father (pitā) because I give rise to individual and total ingredients (material cause) for all the universes. I am the mother (mātā) because I hold within My womb the universe. I am the nourisher (dātā) of the universe. I am the grandfather, because I produce the creator of the universe, Brahmā. I am the object to be known and the object which purifies. I am the result (gati), the master (bhartṛ), the controller (prabhu), the seer of all good and bad things (sakṣi), the abode (nivāsaḥ), the deliverer from dangers (śaraṇam), and the motiveless benefactor (suhṛt). I am the act of creation, destruction and maintenance (prabhava-pralaya-sthānam). I am the treasures (nidhānam) such as padma-nidhi and śaṅkha-nidhi, [Note: These are some of Kuvera’s treasures.] the cause (bījam), which is indestructible (avyayam), unlike rice and other seeds which are temporary. Being the sun, I cause heat in the summer, and shower rain in the rainy season, and sometimes I also hold back the rain. I am liberation (amṛtam), and repeated birth and death in bondage (mṛtyuḥ). I am the subtle and the gross (sad-asad). Thus the person, thinking that I am all of this, worships Me as the form of universe. These verses are thus connected with the last part of verse 15 which mentions the universal form.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
16-19. I am the vedic and smārta sacrifices, the offering to the pitṛs, the herbs, the mantra, the ghee, the fire and the act of offering. I am the father of the universe, the mother, the maintainer, the grandfather, the object of knowledge, the purifier, om, the ṛk, sāma and yajur Vedas. I am the method, the master, the controller, the witness, the abode, the shelter, the friend. I am creation, destruction and maintenance, the treasure, the indestructible cause or seed. I create heat, withdraw rain and then shower it. I am liberation and bondage, the subtle and gross, O Arjuna.
Commentary

In four verses Kṛṣṇa shows how He is situated in the form of the universe. Kratu refers to the Vedic śrauta sacrifices such as jyotiṣṭoma. Yajña refers to the sacrifices such as vaiśvadeva, mentioned in the smṛtis. Svadhā refers to the śrāddha rites offered to the pitas. Auṣadha means medicine or food coming from herbs. Mantra means the words such as yājyāpuro nu uttered in offering oblations to the devatās. Ajya means the substances for offering such as ghee. The fires (agni) used for sacrifice are of various types such as āhavanīya. Hūta means the act of offering oblations. I am situated as the soul of all those things. I am situated as the mother, the father and the grandfather of each moving and non-moving thing in the universe. I, in the form of kings and others, am situated as the maintainer and nourisher in all those entities (dhātā). Because I am the possessor of all energies material and spiritual, and the paramātmā within all matter and jīvas, the number of living entities to maintain is no problem for Me. I am what is to be known (vedyam) and what purifies (pavitram)—the waters of rivers like the Gaṅgā. I am om, the seed of all the Vedas and the cause of knowledge of Brahman, the object of knowledge (vedyam). I am the three Vedas, ṛk, yajus and sāma. The word ca indicates Atharva Veda. Rk also refers to the vedic verse with regular syllables. Sāma refers to those verses with regular meter and which are sung. Some say that sāma refers to any verse which is sung. Yajus refers to verses not sung and with irregular syllables. I am these three types of mantras useful in rites. Gati means the method or path by which a goal is achieved, literally “that by which something is attained (gamyate). Bhartā means a protector. Prabhu means controller. Sākṣī means the seer of all sinful and pious acts. Nivāsa means a place of enjoyment, literally, where one resides. Śaraṇa means He who takes away the suffering or the person who approaches. The derivation of the word is “that in which suffering will be destroyed (duḥkham śīrṣyate asmin).” Suhṛt is one who does beneficial activities for someone else because of that person’s qualifications. prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ refer to the acts of creation destruction, and maintenance. Nidhānam refer to the nine treasures such as padma nidhi. [Note: Kuvera has nine treasures: padmanidhi, mahānidhi, saṅkhanidhi, makaranidhi, kacchapanidhi, mukundanidhi, nandanidhi, nīlanidhi and kharvanidhi.] Bijam means the cause which is indestructible I am not perishable like rice and other material seeds. In the form of the sun, I heat the universe during the summer. During monsoon season, I release rain (varṣam) in the form of clouds. Sometimes in the form of drought, I draw back the rain. I am liberation (amṛtam) and saṁsāra (mṛtyuḥ). I am the gross (sat) and the subtle (asat). I alone am all of this. I, the son of Vasudeva, one person, holding all powers, am situated in the form of the whole universe with many names and forms. Some worship Me with this jñāna yajña, which searches out the one person in these many things.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

When Krsna is explaining that He is the basis of everything, the resting place, the eternal seed, He is 'avyayam', He is imperishable, when the universe is destroyed it is Krsna that remains.

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

All the terms mentioned in the translation indicate Krishna to be the eternal cause of all causes

Study translation for all points
Focus of Learning

Only some important terms are clarified here:

(a) ‘Gati’ – ‘Ultimate goal is Krishna’, although people do not know it

Many make their destination to different demigods
Thus perform rigid rituals
But all such demigod planets, being creations of Krishna, are simultaneously Krishna and not Krishna – How:
Being manifestation of Krishna’s energy they are Krishna, but
They serve only a step forward for realising Krishna
To approach different energies of Krishna is an indirect approach
Better to have direct approach which saves time and energy
Analogy: Elevator vs staircase

(b) ‘Sustainer’ – Because everything is resting on Krishna’s energy

(c) ‘Master’ – Krishna is the Supreme ruler and everything belongs to Him

(d) ‘Witness’ – He is in everyone’s heart

(e) ‘Abode’ – Residences, countries or planets on which we live

(f) ‘Ultimate goal of our shelter’ – Take shelter of Krishna for any distress

(g) ‘Suhrta’ (Best friend) – Because He is the cause of our generation and Supreme Father

Only the important terms are clarified here:

(a) Father, Mother, Support and Grandsire – All these relationships in the material world are part and

parcel of Krishna which implies they are all Krishna.

(b) Dhata – implies creator or supporter

(c) Purifier – That subject matter which helps us purify our constitution position is also Krishna

(d) Omkara – A transcendental sound vibration in all Vedic mantras, is therefore Krishna

(e) All the Vedas – Because all the hymns have ‘Omkara’, therefore it is Krishna

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
9.18 (I am) the gatih, fruit of actions; the bharta, nourisher; [The giver of the fruits of actions.] the prabhuh, Lord; the saksi, witness of all tha is done or not done by creatures; the nivasah, abode, where creatures live; the saranam, refuge, remover of sufferings of the afflicted who take shelter; the suhrt, friend, one who does a good turn without thought of reward; the prabhavah, origin of the world; the pralayah, end, the place into which the world merges. So also, (I am) the sthanam, foundation on which the world rests; the nidhanam, store, which is for future enjoyment of creatures; and the avyayam, imperishable; bijam, seed, the cause of growth of all things which germinate. The seed is imperishable because it continues so long as the world lasts. Indeed, nothing springs up without a seed. And since creation is noticed to be continuous, it is understood that the continuity of the seed never ends. Further,
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
9.18 'Gaith' means that which is reached. The meaning is that it is the place to be reached from everywhere. The 'supporter' is one who props. The 'ruler' is one who rules. The 'witness' is one who sees directly. The 'abode' is that where one dwells in as in a house etc. The 'refuge' is the intelligent being wh has to be sought, as he leads one to the attainment of desirable things and avoidance of evils. A 'friend' is one who wishes well. The 'base' is that place in which origin and dissolution takes place. I alone am that 'Nidhana', that which is preserved. What comes into being and is dissolved is Myself. The imperishable seed is that exhaustless cause everywhere. I alone am that.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
9.18 See Comment under 9.19
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
9.18 I am the goal, the supporter, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the shelter, the friend, the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the treasure-house and the seed which is imperishable.
Commentary

9.18 गतिः the goal? भर्ता the supporter? प्रभुः the Lord? साक्षी the witness? निवासः the abode? शरणम् the shelter? सुहृत् the friend? प्रभवः the origin? प्रलयः the dissolution? स्थानम् the foundation? निधानम् the treasurehouse? बीजम् the seed? अव्ययम् imperishable.Commentary I am the goal? the fruit of action. He who nourishes and supports is the huand. I am the witness of the good and evil actions done by the Jivas (individuals). I am the abode wherein all living beings dwell. I am the shelter or refuge for the distressed. I relieve the sufferings of those who take shelter under Me. I am the friend? i.e.? I do good without expecting any return. I am the source of this universe. In Me the whole world is dissolved. I am the mainstay or the foundation of this world. I am the treasurehouse which living beings shall enjoy in the future. I am the imperishable see? i.e.? the cause of the origin of all beings. Therefore? take shelter under My feet.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
9.18 (I am) the fruit of actions, the nourisher, the Lord, witness, abode, refuge, friend, origin, end, foundation, store and the imperishable seed.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
9.18 I am the Goal, the Sustainer, the Lord, the Witness, the Home, the Shelter, the Lover and the Origin; I am Life and Death; I am the Fountain and the Seed Imperishable.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 5.29 BG 15.15 BG 7.6 SB 3.25.38 SB 4.7.54 SB 11.2.55 CC Madhya 22.161 CC Madhya 19.53 CC Ādi 4.200 Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.11Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.1.1
Concepts
Mantra
Study Q&A referencing this verse
Sciences essays referencing this verse
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the most dear friend — the origin and dissolution.
Practical Applications
  • Trace Kṛṣṇa's many roles and choose the one that calls you most.
  • Don't think He must be one thing — He is all of these.
  • Approach Him in the role you most need today.
Reflection Questions
  • Which role of Kṛṣṇa most fits my present need?
  • Have I approached Him in that role?
Analogy

Imagine a traveller's day. Where am I going? Who carries my pack? Who pays the bills? Who watches over me? Where will I sleep? Where do I run when bandits come? Who is my friend on this road? In Kṛṣṇa-conscious life, the answer to every one of these questions is one Person. The mind that learns to put the same answer into every empty box has begun to taste the bījam avyayam — the eternal seed of all its asking.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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