Chapter 9, Verse 17
पिताहमस्य जगतो माता धाता पितामह: |
वेद्यं पवित्रमोङ्कार ऋक्साम यजुरेव च ॥ 17 ॥
pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ |
vedyaṁ pavitram oṅkāra ṛk sāma yajur eva ca ||
"I am the father of this world, the mother, the sustainer, and the grandfather; I am the object of knowledge, the purifier, the syllable Om, and also the Rik, Sama, and Yajur Vedas."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 9.17 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 9.17 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna declares His absolute relationship with the cosmos. As 'Pitā' and 'Mātā', He is the efficient and material cause. As 'Dhātā', He is the dispenser of fruits of actions. As 'Pitāmaha', He is the source of Brahma (the creator). He identifies Himself as the essence of Vedic knowledge (Vedyaṁ), the purifying power (Pavitram), the primordial sound (Om), and the three primary Vedas that structure cosmic ritual and harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 9.17?
I am the father of this world, the mother, the sustainer, and the grandfather; I am the object of knowledge, the purifier, the syllable Om, and also the Rik, Sama, and Yajur Vedas.