pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ
vedyaṁ pavitram oṁkāra ṛik sāma yajur eva cha
pitā — Father;
aham — I;
asya — of this;
jagataḥ — universe;
mātā — Mother;
dhātā — Sustainer;
pitāmahaḥ — Grandsire;
vedyam — the goal of knowledge;
pavitram — the purifier;
om-kāra — the sacred syllable Om;
ṛik — the Rig Veda;
sāma — the Sama Veda;
yajuḥ — the Yajur Veda;
eva — also;
cha — and
In this verse, Krishna is saying that He is the source of everything in the universe. Think of all the people we have in our lives—our fathers, mothers, and grandparents. According to Krishna, they are not just random beings; they are all connected to Him. He is like a larger parent to everyone, meaning every individual we see as a family member is actually part of a bigger divine presence, which is Krishna himself.
When Krishna talks about being the "father" and "mother," he means that He provides the essence of life and support to the entire universe. Just like your parents help you grow and nurture you, Krishna is saying He plays a similar role for everything that exists. All living beings, whether they are animals, humans, or even plants, are connected to Him and come into being through His energy.
Now, when it mentions "dhata," which means 'the creator,' it emphasizes that He is the one who creates everything, not just our immediate family, but all life and existence. So when you think about your grandparents or even ancestors far back in time, they are also part of this divine connection.
Furthermore, Krishna tells us that the ultimate goal we should aim for—what we seek to understand and learn—is really about Him. All the knowledge and teachings in the Vedas, which are ancient sacred texts, lead us toward understanding Krishna. This means when we study these teachings, we are trying to get closer to knowing Krishna and his nature.
The verse also highlights the sound "om," which is a sacred sound in many religions, especially in Hinduism. When you chant or hear "om," it is thought to carry the essence of the divine, and Krishna identifies with this sound. It means that it’s not just a beautiful word; it represents a deeper spiritual truth about Krishna.
Lastly, all the Vedas—these ancient texts—are aimed at helping us understand Krishna. This shows how important Krishna is in Vedic teachings. They encourage us to purify ourselves, leading us to see and recognize Krishna’s presence in everything. So, to summarize, Krishna is saying, 'I am not only the creator of all you see, but I am also the guiding force behind your understanding and the divinity present in all love and relationships.' Understanding Krishna helps us to purify our hearts and minds, guiding us in our lives.