वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः
प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च।
नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्त्रकृत्वः
पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते ॥39॥
vāyur yamo ’gnir varuṇaḥ śhaśhāṅkaḥ
prajāpatis tvaṁ prapitāmahaśh cha
namo namas te ’stu sahasra-kṛitvaḥ
punaśh cha bhūyo ’pi namo namas te
श्लोक ३९: आप वायु, यम, अग्नि, शशांक, वरुण, प्रजापति, और सभी जीवों के पितामह भी हैं। मैं आपको झुककर नमन करता हूँ; मैं हज़ारों बार आपको नमस्कार करता हूँ; मैं बार-बार आपको नमस्कार करता हूँ।
Shloka 39: You are Vayu, Yamaraj, Agni, Varuna, Chandra. You are the Prajapati and the great-grandfather of all living beings. I bow down to You, I bow down a thousand times, I bow down again and again.
In Bhagavad Gita Verse 11.39, Arjuna is overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude and grandeur of Krishna's universal form. The context reveals Arjuna, the mighty warrior, trembling with awe and humility. He is no longer the assertive friend or the questioning disciple; instead, he bows repeatedly in deep reverence, recognizing that Krishna embodies all cosmic powers that pervade the universe. This transformation in Arjuna’s demeanor is striking: from familiarity to profound veneration, capturing the humbling effect that the vision of Krishna’s true omnipotence has upon him.
As Arjuna gazes upon Krishna’s cosmic manifestation, he realizes that every force of nature and every powerful deity he has ever revered is actually a manifestation of Krishna himself. He identifies Krishna with Vayu (the Wind God), Yama (the Lord of Death), Agni (the Fire God), Varuna (the presiding deity of the waters), the Moon God, Brahma (the Lord of Creation), and the Great-grandfather of all beings. By listing these various deities, Arjuna expresses that Krishna is not just a supreme being standing apart from the world but is also the very essence of all divinity and power within creation itself.
This verse emphasizes the realization that Krishna is the origin, controller, and sustainer of everything. Even the most significant gods—entities that are regarded as creators and rulers within the Vedic tradition—derive their power from him or are simply his manifestations in different aspects of the cosmos. Arjuna’s declarations—“You are… You are… You are…”—reverberate with the understanding that every force, every element, and every aspect of existence is Krishna’s vibhuti, or divine opulence.
Arjuna’s repeated obeisances—“a thousand times, and again and yet again”—showcase the depth of his surrender. Each bow is a symbolic act of letting go of pride, familiarity, and ego. It is significant that Arjuna, known for his valor and unyielding will, is brought to his knees by Krishna’s revelation, indicating that even the greatest heroes are dwarfed by the infinite. The phrase “again and yet again” highlights the boundless nature of Krishna’s divinity, deserving endless reverence and never fully encompassed by any amount of honor or praise.
The language of the verse also conveys the idea that Krishna transcends the limits of individuality. He is not only a personal deity but the universal spirit dwelling in every phenomenon. When Arjuna says Krishna is the wind, fire, water, moon, and even Brahma, he is expressing the realization that all natural and supernatural powers are united in Krishna’s form, making him simultaneously immanent (within everything) and transcendent (beyond everything).
Through this realization, Arjuna acknowledges that Krishna is beyond the reach of ordinary perception and worship. The known gods—objects of reverence for millions—are but partial expressions of Krishna’s total being. Arjuna’s awareness shifts from seeing Krishna as his charioteer and confidant to viewing him as the ultimate cause, the origin without beginning or end, the one who remains unchanged while all else is subject to creation and dissolution. This cosmic perspective fills Arjuna with both humility and awe, dissolving the boundaries between personal devotion and universal reverence.
The verse thus stands as a turning point in the narrative, marking Arjuna’s complete surrender. He is no longer bound by doubts or limited perceptions. Instead, he recognizes Krishna’s presence in all directions, in all roles, and in every moment. The multiplicity of bows from “all sides” signifies total submission—there is no place or situation in which Krishna’s divinity does not prevail. It’s a moment where Arjuna’s understanding aligns perfectly with the truth of Krishna’s all-pervasiveness, forever reshaping his vision of the world and his relationship to the divine.
In summary, Bhagavad Gita Verse 11.39 captures a profound transformation: Arjuna’s previous certainty and pride give way to the recognition that Krishna is the very substance and source of all existence. By listing the many facets of nature and the gods, Arjuna acknowledges Krishna’s omnipresence. The verse invites readers to contemplate the unity of all creation in the divine, and the need for humility, awe, and surrender when confronted with the true nature of the Supreme. Arjuna’s prayer becomes not just a personal submission but an archetype for anyone who seeks to glimpse the universal in the particular, and to bow before the infinite that animates all forms and beings.
Experience the Bhagavad Gita in a modern avatar on the BGFA app, with videos, explanations, lessons and more!
