FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 9.17

పితాహమస్య జగతో మాతా ధాతా పితామహ: । వేద్యం పవిత్రమ్ ఓంకార ఋక్ సామ యజురేవ చ ॥ ౧౭ ॥
pitāham asya jagato
[pitaaham asya jagato]
mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ
[maataa dhaataa pitaamahah]
vedyaṁ pavitram oṁ-kāra
[vedyam pavitram om-kaara]
ṛk sāma yajur eva ca
[rik saama yajur eva cha]
Word-for-word
pitā — father aham — I asya — of this jagataḥ — universe mātā — mother dhātā — supporter pitāmahaḥ — grandfather vedyam — what is to be known pavitram — that which purifies oṁ - kāra — the syllable oṁ ṛk — the Ṛg Veda sāma — the Sāma Veda yajuḥ — the Yajur Veda eva — certainly ca — and .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
pitāham asya jagato
pitā
father
aham
I
asya
of this
jagataḥ
universe
mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ
mātā
mother
dhātā
supporter
pitāmahaḥ
grandfather
vedyaṁ pavitram oṁ-kāra
vedyam
what is to be known
pavitram
that which purifies
oṁ - kāra
the syllable oṁ
ṛk sāma yajur eva ca
ṛk
the Ṛg Veda
sāma
the Sāma Veda
yajuḥ
the Yajur Veda
eva
certainly
ca
and .
Important Words
  • pitā — the father
    Father — the one who gives the seed of existence. Kṛṣṇa is the original pitā; every biological father is a derivative officer. The Vedic frame demands this — without an original Father, fatherhood is a charade.
  • mātā — the mother
    Mother — the one who bears, nourishes, holds. Kṛṣṇa takes both poles. The Bhāgavata will say of Yaśodā that she fed the Lord who feeds her — and 9.17 explains the deep structure of that paradox.
  • dhātā — the supporter
    From √dhā — to hold, support, place. Kṛṣṇa is what holds the universe in its place; without His dhāraṇa it would not stay where it is. Note the relation to dharma: that which sustains.
  • pitāmahaḥ — the grandsire
    Father of fathers. Pitāmaha is also Brahmā's epithet — and Brahmā has Kṛṣṇa as his pitāmaha. The chain of fatherhood terminates only at the Lord.
  • vedyam — the knowable
    Gerundive of √vid — that which is to be known. Of all knowables, He is the vedya. All other vedyas are mere stand-ins, partial knowables; He is the knowable that absorbs all knowing.
  • oṁ - kāra — the syllable Oṁ
    Oṁ — the praṇava, the highest sound of Vedic culture. Kṛṣṇa names Himself as Oṁ; in 17.23 He will repeat oṁ tat sat as His threefold designation. Identifying with Oṁ identifies with the seed-sound of all mantras.
  • ṛk — the Ṛg Veda
    The eldest Veda. Kṛṣṇa identifies Himself with it. Not only the content of the Ṛg but the very text-body has Him as substance. Texts revere Him because they are made of Him.
  • sāma — the Sāma Veda
    The Veda of melody and song. The Bhāgavatam says Kṛṣṇa's voice is most clearly heard in the Sāma. He names Himself as its substance — the song's source as well as its content.
I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable oṁ. I am also the Ṛg, the Sāma and the Yajur Vedas.
Purport

The entire cosmic manifestations, moving and nonmoving, are manifested by different activities of Kṛṣṇa’s energy. In the material existence we create different relationships with different living entities who are nothing but Kṛṣṇa’s marginal energy; under the creation of prakṛti some of them appear as our father, mother, grandfather, creator, etc., but actually they are parts and parcels of Kṛṣṇa. As such, these living entities who appear to be our father, mother, etc., are nothing but Kṛṣṇa. In this verse the word dhātā means “creator.” Not only are our father and mother parts and parcels of Kṛṣṇa, but the creator, grandmother and grandfather, etc., are also Kṛṣṇa. Actually any living entity, being part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, is Kṛṣṇa. All the Vedas, therefore, aim only toward Kṛṣṇa. Whatever we want to know through the Vedas is but a progressive step toward understanding Kṛṣṇa. That subject matter which helps us purify our constitutional position is especially Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, the living entity who is inquisitive to understand all Vedic principles is also part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa and as such is also Kṛṣṇa. In all the Vedic mantras the word oṁ, called praṇava, is a transcendental sound vibration and is also Kṛṣṇa. And because in all the hymns of the four Vedas – Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg and Atharva – the praṇava, or oṁ-kāra, is very prominent, it is understood to be Kṛṣṇa.

— 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. Yajṣa 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. Yajṣa 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 jṣāna yajṣa, which searches out the one person in these many things.

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

Krishna as all the relationships: In the material existence, we create different relationships with

different living entities who are nothing but Krishna’s marginal energy; under the creation of ‘praktrti’, some of

them appear as our father, mother, grandfather, creator etc. But actually they are parts and parcels of Krishna

Study translation for all points
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
9.17 Asya, of this; jagatah, world; aham, I; am pita, the father; mata, the mother; dhata, ordainer, dispenser of the results of their actions to the creatures; (and the) pirtamahah, grand-father. I am the vedayam, knowable-that which has to be known; the pavitram, sanctifier; [Virtuous actions.] and the onkarah, syllable Om; eva ca, as also Rk, Sama and Yajus. [Brahman, which has to be known, is realizable through Om, regarding which fact the three Vedas are the authority. The ca (as also) is suggestive of the Atharva-veda.] Moreover,
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
9.17 Of the world consisting of mobile and immobile entities, I alone am the father, mother, creator and grandfather. Here the term Dhatr stands for one other than the parents who helps in the birth of a particular person. Whatever is known from theVedas as purifying, I alone am that. I am the Pranava, which originates knowledge and forms the seed of the Vedas. I am the Veda comprising Rk, Saman and Yajus.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
9.17 See Comment under 9.19
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
9.17 I am the father of this world, the mother, the dispenser of the fruits of actions and the grandfather; the (one) thing to be known, the purifier, the sacred monosyllable (Om), and also the Rik-, the Sama-and the Yajur-Vedas.
Commentary

9.17 पिता father? अहम् I? अस्य of this? जगतः world? माता mother? धाता the dispenser of the fruits of actions? पितामहः grandfather? वेद्यम् the (one) thing to be known? पवित्रम् the purifier? ओंकारः the Omkara? ऋक् Rik? साम Sama? यजुः Yajus? एव also? च and.Commentary Dhata Supporter or sustainer by dispenser of the fruits of actions.Isvara or the Saguna Brahman is the father. MulaPrakriti or the primordial Nature is the mother. The pure Satchidananda Para Brahman (ExistenceKnowledgeBliss Absolute) is the grandfather.Vedyam The one thing to be known. This is the Supreme Being.Pavitram Purifier. I am of the form of a bath in the holy river Ganga and the Gayatri Japa which purify the aspirants externally and internally.Cha and. This includes the AtharvanaVeda also. (Cf.XIV.3)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
9.17 Of this world I am the father, mother, ordainer, (and the), grand-father; I am the knowable, the sancitifier, the syllable Om as also Rk, Sama and Yajus.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
9.17 I am the Father of the universe and its Mother; I am its Nourisher and its Grandfather; I am the Knowable and the Pure; I am Om; and I am the Sacred Scriptures.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)Vairagya (Detachment / Dispassion)
Related verses
BG 9.16 BG 10.33 BG 15.15 SB 3.9.42 SB 10.8.37 SB 12.13.1 CC Madhya 20.146 CC Ādi 7.138 CC Madhya 25.148 Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 1Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.15
Concepts
Mantra
Study Q&A referencing this verse
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
I am the father of this universe, the mother, the supporter, the grandfather — the object of knowledge, the purifier, the syllable Om, the Veda.
Practical Applications
  • Recognize Kṛṣṇa in familial language — He is your true family.
  • Use the relational language to deepen intimacy.
  • Don't reduce Him to abstract principle.
Reflection Questions
  • Which familial relationship to Kṛṣṇa is most real to me?
  • Which is least cultivated?
Analogy

A great river runs through a family's land. The father drank from it, the grandfather dug the first well there, the mother cooked with it, the syllable of its name is whispered in lullabies, the school texts of the family teach its tributaries. The river is father, mother, grandfather, syllable, scripture, all in one — not because the family fancies it so but because every drop in their veins came from it. So Kṛṣṇa.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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