Chapter 11, Verse 37
कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन् गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे | अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास त्वमक्षरं सदसतत्परं यत् ॥37॥
kasmācca te na nameran mahātman garīyase brahmaṇo ’py ādikartre | ananta deveśa jagannivāsa tvam akṣaraṁ sad-asat tat paraṁ yat
"And why should they not bow down to You, O Great Soul, who are greater than all and who are the original Creator even of Brahma? O Infinite One, Lord of the Gods, Abode of the Universe, You are the Immutable, being and non-being, and that which is Transcendental."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 11.37 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 11.37 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Arjuna provides the logical and ontological justification for the universe's adoration of Krishna. He addresses Krishna as 'Ādikartre' (the original creator), highlighting that even Brahma, the secondary creator of the universe, originates from Him. Krishna is described as 'Akṣaram' (imperishable) and the source of both 'Sat' (the manifest/gross) and 'Asat' (the unmanifest/subtle), while simultaneously being 'Tat Paraṁ'—the transcendental reality that exists beyond these dualities. As 'Jagannivāsa', He is the ultimate substratum in which all existence dwells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 11.37?
And why should they not bow down to You, O Great Soul, who are greater than all and who are the original Creator even of Brahma? O Infinite One, Lord of the Gods, Abode of the Universe, You are the Immutable, being and non-being, and that which is Transcendental.