kasmāch cha te na nameran mahātman
garīyase brahmaṇo ’py ādi-kartre
ananta deveśha jagan-nivāsa
tvam akṣharaṁ sad-asat tat paraṁ yat
kasmāt — why;
cha — and;
te — you;
na nameran — should they not bow down;
mahā-ātman — The Great one;
garīyase — who are greater;
brahmaṇaḥ — than Brahma;
api — even;
ādi-kartre — to the original creator;
ananta — The limitless One;
deva-īśha — Lord of the devatās;
jagat-nivāsa — Refuge of the universe;
tvam — you;
akṣharam — the imperishable;
sat-asat — manifest and non-manifest;
tat — that;
param — beyond;
yat — which
In this verse, Arjuna is addressing Krishna in a very respectful way. He acknowledges Krishna as a great being, even greater than Brahma, who is known as the creator of the universe. Arjuna is puzzling over why all beings, especially powerful demigods and other divine figures, should not bow to Krishna. This shows that Arjuna sees Krishna as the ultimate authority and source of everything.
When Arjuna calls Krishna 'mahatma,' he is saying that Krishna is incredibly generous and boundless in nature. The word 'Ananta' means that Krishna's presence is everywhere. There's nothing that exists outside of His influence. This reinforces the idea that Krishna is not just one figure among many; He is the essence that connects everything in the cosmos.
Arjuna also describes Krishna as 'the refuge of the universe.' This means that all living beings find support and shelter in Krishna. He is not just any ordinary being; He is the 'invincible source,' which highlights that Krishna has power that is beyond anyone else's. He is the ultimate cause of everything that happens in life, transcending the physical world we see around us.
Krishna's position is described as being above even the greatest beings like Brahma and Shiva. Brahma was created from a lotus that comes from Krishna's form, specifically from the navel of a God who is an expansion of Krishna. This means that Brahma and others, including Shiva, owe their existence to Krishna, and therefore it is appropriate for them to pay their respects to Him.
The text further emphasizes that while the material world is temporary and can be destroyed, Krishna is described as 'akshara' or imperishable. This means He does not change with time or face destruction like the world does. He is the starting point of everything and the reason for everything that exists, which is why He is viewed as superior to all living beings caught up in this material life.
In summary, by acknowledging Krishna in this verse, Arjuna is highlighting the importance of recognizing that Krishna is the ultimate source of all creation—a being worthy of respect and devotion by everyone, including those who are considered powerful or divine.