Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, Shloka 18

Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga

Devanagari script

गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत् । प्रभवः प्रलयः स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम् ॥ ९.१८ ॥

Transliteration

gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṃ suhṛt | prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṃ nidhānaṃ bījam avyayam || 9.18 ||

Translation

I am the goal, the sustainer, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the well-wisher. I am the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the treasure-house, and the imperishable seed.

Gita Press Meaning

I am the goal, the sustainer, the lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the friend; the origin, dissolution, foundation, treasure-house, and the imperishable seed.

Critical Edition Meaning

I am the destination/way (gati), the supporter, the lord; the witness; the dwelling; the refuge; the well-wisher; the source, the dissolution, the ground, the repository, the imperishable seed.

Comparative Note

Terms like gati and nidhāna are semantically broad (goal/way; repository/treasure). The verse presents a comprehensive theism: teleology (goal), ontology (ground/seed), and ethics (friend/well-wisher).

Word by Word

• गतिः: goal; refuge; final destination
• Root: गति

• भर्ता: supporter; sustainer
• Root: भर्तृ

• प्रभुः: Lord; master; sovereign
• Root: प्रभु

• साक्षी: witness
• Root: साक्षिन्

• निवासः: abode; dwelling-place
• Root: निवास

• शरणम्: refuge; protection
• Root: शरण

• सुहृत्: well-wisher; true friend
• Root: सुहृद्

• प्रभवः: origin; source; coming-forth
• Root: प्रभव

• प्रलयः: dissolution; cosmic withdrawal
• Root: प्रलय

• स्थानम्: place; basis; station
• Root: स्थान

• निधानम्: repository; treasure-house; store
• Root: निधान

• बीजम्: seed; causal germ
• Root: बीज

• अव्ययम्: imperishable; undecaying
• Root: अव्यय

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Sākṣin (witness consciousness)
• Śaraṇāgati (refuge)
• Causality (origin and dissolution)
• Avyaya-bīja

Key Themes

• Immanence and transcendence
• Divine as ethical well-wisher
• Cycle of manifestation

FAQs

Psychological significance?

‘Witness’ and ‘refuge’ together suggest a mind that can observe experience without being overwhelmed, while also resting in a stable guiding commitment.

Metaphysical meaning?

The divine is described as both the ground of emergence and the endpoint of return, implying a cyclical cosmology anchored in an imperishable principle.

Contextual relevance?

The verse consolidates the chapter’s claim that devotion is not to a limited deity but to the comprehensive basis of reality and value.

Modern Application?

It can be used to frame resilience: cultivate an inner ‘witness’ stance and seek dependable supports (community, practice, values) as forms of refuge.