gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣhī nivāsaḥ śharaṇaṁ suhṛit
prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam
gatiḥ — the supreme goal;
bhartā — sustainer;
prabhuḥ — master;
sākṣhī — witness;
nivāsaḥ — abode;
śharaṇam — shelter;
su-hṛit — friend;
prabhavaḥ — the origin;
pralayaḥ — dissolution;
sthānam — store house;
nidhānam — resting place;
bījam — seed;
avyayam — imperishable
In this verse, Krishna is explaining a lot about His nature and role in our lives. Let’s break it down step by step using simple language.
1. **I am the goal**: This means that Krishna is the ultimate aim in life. People often seek happiness, success, or peace in different things—money, fame, or power. However, Krishna is saying that the true goal of life is to connect with Him. He is the one who can truly fulfill our deepest desires.
2. **The sustainer**: Krishna supports everything in the universe. Just like a gardener takes care of plants so they grow well, Krishna takes care of all living beings, ensuring they have what they need to survive.
3. **The master**: He is in charge of everything. Just as a captain leads a ship, Krishna guides everything that happens in the world. He is the ultimate authority.
4. **The witness**: Krishna sees everything. He knows what we do, think, and feel. It’s like having a friend who always watches your back and understands you completely. He observes us without judging, understanding our intentions.
5. **The abode**: This means Krishna is the place we can call home. In a spiritual sense, finding peace and comfort in Krishna gives us a sense of belonging, like finding a loving family.
6. **The refuge**: When we face difficulties, we often look for help. Krishna is saying that He is the safest place to turn to when we need support or protection in our lives.
7. **The most dear friend**: Krishna loves us like a true friend. Friends share joy and sorrow, and Krishna is always there for us, offering guidance and love.
8. **The creation**: Krishna is the one who started everything; He is the root of all existence. Everything we see around us—trees, animals, humans—all came from Him.
9. **The annihilation**: He also represents the end of everything. Just as we know that all living things eventually die, Krishna explains that He is part of that cycle too. After everything ends, He remains.
10. **The basis of everything**: Everything we experience is connected to Krishna. He is the foundation, just like a building needs a strong base to stand tall.
11. **The resting place**: After our life's journey, we rest in Krishna. This means when we finish our lives, we can find peace and stability in Him.
12. **The eternal seed**: Krishna represents the source from which everything grows, just like a seed grows into a plant. He is the beginning of all creation, and everything depends on Him to exist.
In summary, Krishna is emphasizing that He is an essential part of our lives—as the goal we should seek, the support we should rely on, and the friend we should turn to in times of need. Instead of getting lost in a quest for temporary pleasures or following different paths, Krishna advises us to focus on Him directly. This is much like choosing to take an easy elevator ride to the top of a building instead of the tiring stairs.
Understanding this verse helps us realize that in every struggle, joy, or confusion we face, Krishna is an unwavering presence, waiting for us to turn our hearts towards Him. By seeking Krishna, we can find true happiness and fulfillment.