Chapter 11, Verse 40
नम: पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व | अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्व: ॥40॥
namaḥ purastād atha pṛṣṭhatas te namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva | ananta-vīryāmita-vikramas tvaṁ sarvaṁ samāpnoṣi tato ’si sarvaḥ ||
"Salutations to You from the front and from behind! Salutations to You from all sides, O All-pervading One! You possess infinite strength and immeasurable valor. You pervade everything; therefore, You are everything!"
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 11.40 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 11.40 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Arjuna, overwhelmed by the Vishwaroop (Universal Form), realizes that the Divine is not localized but omnipresent. He bows in every direction—front, back, and all sides—recognizing that Krishna encompasses all space. The terms 'ananta-vīrya' (infinite potency) and 'amita-vikrama' (boundless heroism) describe the active power of God. By saying 'You pervade all, therefore You are all,' Arjuna touches upon the Vedantic truth of non-duality (Advaita): that the cause (the Divine) is essentially one with the effect (the Universe).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 11.40?
Salutations to You from the front and from behind! Salutations to You from all sides, O All-pervading One! You possess infinite strength and immeasurable valor. You pervade everything; therefore, You are everything!