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Shri Krishna speaking to Arjuna on the chariot at Kurukshetra

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15

Purushottama Yoga · The Supreme Person (पुरुषोत्तमयोग)

  • By Ved Vyasa
  • 20 shlokas
  • About 10 min

Printed from jeevandrishti.com/books/bhagavad-gita/chapter-15, where the meaning of every verse is in English and Hindi.

Duty · Knowledge · Devotion

About Chapter 15, Purushottama Yoga

Chapter 15, Purushottama Yoga (the Supreme Person), opens with the image of the world as an ashvattha tree with its roots above and branches below, its leaves the Vedic hymns, its shoots the objects of the senses. It is to be cut down with the axe of detachment, and the seeker should then go to the abode from which no one returns, lit by neither sun, moon nor fire (shlokas 1–6).

The soul in every being is an eternal part of Krishna, carrying the senses from body to body as the wind carries scents (7–11). His is the light of the sun, moon and fire, the strength in the earth and the fire of digestion; he is seated in every heart (12–15). Beyond the perishable and the imperishable he is the Supreme Person, Purushottama; one who knows him so knows everything (16–20). Many people recite this chapter before meals.

A calm reading of all 20 shlokas with their meanings takes about ten minutes.

The tree with roots above 15.1–15.6

Shloka 15.1

श्रीभगवानुवाच Shri Krishna said

ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्।
छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्॥

Urdhva-mulam adhah-shakham ashvattham prahur avyayam
Chhandansi yasya parnani yas tam veda sa veda-vit

ऊपर जड़ों और नीचे शाखाओं वाले जिस संसार रूपी पीपल के वृक्ष को अविनाशी कहते हैं, और वेद जिसके पत्ते हैं, उसे जो जानता है वह वेद का जानने वाला है।

They speak of an eternal ashvattha tree with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows it knows the Vedas.

Shloka 15.2

अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः।
अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके॥

Adhash chordhvam prasritas tasya shakha guna-pravriddha vishaya-pravalah
Adhash cha mulany anusantatani karmanubandhini manushya-loke

उसकी शाखाएँ नीचे और ऊपर फैली हैं, जो गुणों से बढ़ी हैं और विषय जिनकी कोंपलें हैं; और नीचे मनुष्य लोक में कर्मों से बाँधने वाली उसकी जड़ें फैली हुई हैं।

Its branches spread below and above, nourished by the gunas, with sense objects as their shoots; and below, in the world of humans, its roots stretch out, binding through action.

Shloka 15.3

न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च संप्रतिष्ठा।
अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा॥

Na rupam asyeha tathopalabhyate nanto na chadir na cha sampratishtha
Ashvattham enam su-virudha-mulam asanga-shastrena dridhena chhittva

इस संसार में इसका रूप वैसा नहीं दिखता, न इसका अंत, न आदि, न आधार। इस दृढ़ जड़ों वाले पीपल को वैराग्य रूपी मज़बूत शस्त्र से काटकर,

Its form is not seen here as it is, nor its end, nor its beginning, nor its foundation. Cutting down this firmly rooted ashvattha with the strong axe of detachment,

Shloka 15.4

ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यं यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूयः।
तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी॥

Tatah padam tat parimargitavyam yasmin gata na nivartanti bhuyah
Tam eva chadyam purusham prapadye yatah pravrittih prasrita purani

फिर उस पद को खोजना चाहिए, जहाँ जाकर लोग लौटकर नहीं आते, यह सोचकर कि मैं उस आदि पुरुष की शरण में हूँ, जिससे यह पुरानी संसार की प्रवृत्ति फैली है।

one should then seek that goal, having reached which one does not return, saying: I take refuge in that original Person from whom this ancient flow of the world came forth.

Shloka 15.5

निर्मानमोहा जितसङ्गदोषा अध्यात्मनित्या विनिवृत्तकामाः।
द्वन्द्वैर्विमुक्ताः सुखदुःखसंज्ञैर्गच्छन्त्यमूढाः पदमव्ययं तत्॥

Nirmana-moha jita-sanga-dosha adhyatma-nitya vinivritta-kamah
Dvandvair vimuktah sukha-duhkha-sanjnair gachchhanty amudhah padam avyayam tat

जिनका मान और मोह नष्ट हो गया है, जिन्होंने आसक्ति के दोष को जीत लिया है, जो सदा आत्मा में स्थित हैं, जिनकी कामनाएँ दूर हो गई हैं, और जो सुख-दुःख नाम के द्वंद्वों से मुक्त हैं, वे ज्ञानी उस अविनाशी पद को प्राप्त होते हैं।

Free of pride and confusion, having overcome the fault of attachment, always given to the self, with desires turned away, free of the opposites called pleasure and pain, the undeluded reach that unchanging goal.

Shloka 15.6

न तद्भासयते सूर्यो न शशाङ्को न पावकः।
यद्गत्वा न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम॥

Na tad bhasayate suryo na shashanko na pavakah
Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama

उसे न सूर्य प्रकाशित कर सकता है, न चंद्रमा, न अग्नि; जहाँ जाकर लोग लौटकर नहीं आते, वही मेरा परम धाम है।

Neither the sun, nor the moon, nor fire lights it up. Having gone there, people do not return; that is my supreme abode.

The soul, a part of me 15.7–15.11

Shloka 15.7

ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः।
मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति॥

Mamaivansho jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah
Manah-shashthanindriyani prakriti-sthani karshati

इस संसार में जीव बना हुआ जीवात्मा मेरा ही सनातन अंश है, और वह प्रकृति में स्थित मन सहित छह इन्द्रियों को अपनी ओर खींचता है।

An eternal part of me, becoming the living soul in the world of the living, draws to itself the five senses and the mind as the sixth, which rest in nature.

Shloka 15.8

शरीरं यदवाप्नोति यच्चाप्युत्क्रामतीश्वरः।
गृहीत्वैतानि संयाति वायुर्गन्धानिवाशयात्॥

Shariram yad avapnoti yach chapy utkramatishvarah
Grihitvaitani sanyati vayur gandhan ivashayat

जैसे वायु गंध के स्थान से गंध को ले जाती है, वैसे ही देह का स्वामी जीवात्मा जिस शरीर को छोड़ता है और जिसे पाता है, उसमें इन्हें साथ लेकर जाता है।

When the soul, the lord of the body, takes on a body and when it leaves one, it carries these with it, as the wind carries scents from their source.

Shloka 15.9

श्रोत्रं चक्षुः स्पर्शनं च रसनं घ्राणमेव च।
अधिष्ठाय मनश्चायं विषयानुपसेवते॥

Shrotram chakshuh sparshanam cha rasanam ghranam eva cha
Adhishthaya manash chayam vishayan upasevate

यह कान, आँख, त्वचा, जीभ, नाक और मन का आश्रय लेकर विषयों का सेवन करता है।

Presiding over hearing, sight, touch, taste and smell, and the mind, it enjoys the objects of the senses.

Shloka 15.10

उत्क्रामन्तं स्थितं वापि भुञ्जानं वा गुणान्वितम्।
विमूढा नानुपश्यन्ति पश्यन्ति ज्ञानचक्षुषः॥

Utkramantam sthitam vapi bhunjanam va gunanvitam
Vimudha nanupashyanti pashyanti jnana-chakshushah

शरीर छोड़ते हुए, शरीर में रहते हुए या गुणों के साथ विषयों को भोगते हुए भी मूढ़ लोग इसे नहीं देखते; ज्ञान की आँख वाले देखते हैं।

The deluded do not see it, whether it is leaving the body, staying in it, or enjoying the world through the gunas; those with the eye of knowledge see it.

Shloka 15.11

यतन्तो योगिनश्चैनं पश्यन्त्यात्मन्यवस्थितम्।
यतन्तोऽप्यकृतात्मानो नैनं पश्यन्त्यचेतसः॥

Yatanto yoginash chainam pashyanty atmany avasthitam
Yatanto ’py akritatmano nainam pashyanty achetasah

प्रयत्न करने वाले योगी इसे अपने भीतर स्थित देखते हैं; पर जिनका मन शुद्ध नहीं और जो विवेकहीन हैं, वे प्रयत्न करके भी इसे नहीं देखते।

Yogis who strive see it dwelling in themselves; but those who are not pure in mind and lack discernment do not see it, even when they try.

The light in all things 15.12–15.15

Shloka 15.12

यदादित्यगतं तेजो जगद्भासयतेऽखिलम्।
यच्चन्द्रमसि यच्चाग्नौ तत्तेजो विद्धि मामकम्॥

Yad aditya-gatam tejo jagad bhasayate ’khilam
Yach chandramasi yach chagnau tat tejo viddhi mamakam

जो तेज सूर्य में स्थित होकर सारे संसार को प्रकाशित करता है, और जो तेज चंद्रमा और अग्नि में है, उस तेज को मेरा ही जानो।

The light in the sun that lights up the whole world, the light in the moon and the light in fire, know that light to be mine.

Shloka 15.13

गामाविश्य च भूतानि धारयाम्यहमोजसा।
पुष्णामि चौषधीः सर्वाः सोमो भूत्वा रसात्मकः॥

Gam avishya cha bhutani dharayamy aham ojasa
Pushnami chaushadhih sarvah somo bhutva rasatmakah

मैं पृथ्वी में प्रवेश करके अपनी शक्ति से सब प्राणियों को धारण करता हूँ, और रस से भरा चंद्रमा (सोम) बनकर सब वनस्पतियों का पोषण करता हूँ।

Entering the earth, I hold up all beings with my strength; and becoming the juice-filled moon (soma), I nourish all plants.

Shloka 15.14

अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः।
प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम्॥

Aham vaishvanaro bhutva praninam deham ashritah
Pranapana-samayuktah pachamy annam chatur-vidham

मैं प्राणियों के शरीर में वैश्वानर अग्नि बनकर, प्राण और अपान से युक्त होकर चार प्रकार के अन्न को पचाता हूँ।

Becoming the digestive fire in the bodies of living beings, joined with the incoming and outgoing breath, I digest the four kinds of food.

Shloka 15.15

सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो मत्तः स्मृतिर्ज्ञानमपोहनं च।
वेदैश्च सर्वैरहमेव वेद्यो वेदान्तकृद्वेदविदेव चाहम्॥

Sarvasya chaham hridi sannivishto mattah smritir jnanam apohanam cha
Vedaish cha sarvair aham eva vedyo vedanta-krid veda-vid eva chaham

मैं सबके हृदय में स्थित हूँ; मुझसे ही स्मृति, ज्ञान और उनका लोप होता है। सब वेदों से जानने योग्य मैं ही हूँ, वेदान्त का रचयिता और वेदों को जानने वाला भी मैं ही हूँ।

I am seated in the hearts of all. From me come memory, knowledge and their loss. I am what is to be known through all the Vedas; I am the author of Vedanta and the knower of the Vedas.

The Supreme Person 15.16–15.20

Shloka 15.16

द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च।
क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते॥

Dvav imau purushau loke ksharash chakshara eva cha
Ksharah sarvani bhutani kuta-stho ’kshara uchyate

इस संसार में दो पुरुष हैं, क्षर (नाशवान) और अक्षर (अविनाशी)। सब प्राणी क्षर हैं, और कूटस्थ (अचल) अक्षर कहलाता है।

There are two persons in this world, the perishable and the imperishable. All beings are perishable; the unchanging one is called imperishable.

Shloka 15.17

उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युदाहृतः।
यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः॥

Uttamah purushas tv anyah paramatmety udahritah
Yo loka-trayam avishya bibharty avyaya ishvarah

पर उत्तम पुरुष इनसे भिन्न है, जिसे परमात्मा कहा गया है, जो अविनाशी ईश्वर तीनों लोकों में प्रवेश करके उनका धारण-पोषण करता है।

But there is another, the highest Person, called the Supreme Self, the unchanging Lord, who enters the three worlds and sustains them.

Shloka 15.18

यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः।
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः॥

Yasmat ksharam atito ’ham aksharad api chottamah
Ato ’smi loke vede cha prathitah purushottamah

क्योंकि मैं क्षर से परे हूँ और अक्षर से भी उत्तम हूँ, इसलिए संसार में और वेदों में पुरुषोत्तम के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हूँ।

Because I am beyond the perishable and higher even than the imperishable, I am known in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person (Purushottama).

Shloka 15.19

यो मामेवमसम्मूढो जानाति पुरुषोत्तमम्।
स सर्वविद्भजति मां सर्वभावेन भारत॥

Yo mam evam asammudho janati purushottamam
Sa sarva-vid bhajati mam sarva-bhavena bharata

हे भारत, जो मोहरहित होकर मुझे इस प्रकार पुरुषोत्तम जानता है, वह सब कुछ जानने वाला है और पूरे भाव से मुझे भजता है।

One who, free of confusion, knows me in this way as the Supreme Person knows all, and worships me with their whole being, Bharata.

Shloka 15.20

इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयाऽनघ।
एतद्बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत॥

Iti guhyatamam shastram idam uktam mayanagha
Etad buddhva buddhiman syat krita-krityash cha bharata

हे निष्पाप भारत, इस प्रकार मैंने तुम्हें यह अत्यंत गोपनीय शास्त्र बताया। इसे जानकर मनुष्य ज्ञानी और कृतार्थ हो जाता है।

So I have told you this most secret teaching, sinless one. Understanding it, a person becomes wise and has done all that needs to be done, Bharata.

ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे
पुरुषोत्तमयोगो नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः ॥१५॥

The meanings here are written in plain words and follow the common reading of each shloka; they are not a word-for-word translation or a commentary. The Roman lettering is simplified for easy reading. This page is for reading and reflection; it is not a substitute for medical or other professional help.

Questions people ask

What is Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita about?

The world as an upside-down ashvattha tree to be cut with detachment, the soul as an eternal part of Krishna, his light in all things, and Krishna as Purushottama, the Supreme Person.

What is the ashvattha tree in 15.1?

An image of the world: a tree with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows it knows the Vedas.

What does Purushottama mean?

The Supreme Person. Krishna says he is beyond the perishable (all beings) and higher even than the imperishable, so he is called Purushottama (15.16–15.18).

Why do people recite Chapter 15 before meals?

It is a common practice in many homes. Shloka 15.14 says Krishna, as the fire of digestion in all bodies, digests the four kinds of food.

What does shloka 15.7 say?

“Mamaivamsho jiva-loke”: the soul in every living being is an eternal part of Krishna.

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