Shloka 18
Puruṣottama-yoga
The Discipline of the Supreme Person) — Chapter 15 (Bhagavadgītā
त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यंरे त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् | त्वमव्यय: शाश्वृतधर्मगोप्ताएं सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे,आप ही जाननेयोग्य परम अक्षर अर्थात् परब्रह्म परमात्मा हैं, आप ही इस जगत्के परम आश्रय हैं, आप ही अनादि धर्मके रक्षक हैं और आप ही अविनाशी सनातन पुरुष हैं। ऐसा मेरा मत है?
arjuna uvāca | tvam akṣaraṁ paramaṁ veditavyaṁ tvam asya viśvasya paraṁ nidhānam | tvam avyayaḥ śāśvata-dharma-goptā sanātanas tvaṁ puruṣo mato me ||
Arjuna said: You are the supreme Imperishable, the highest reality to be known. You are the ultimate resting-place and support of this entire universe. You are the unfailing guardian of the eternal order (dharma), and to me You are the everlasting, undecaying Person. This is my settled conviction.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arjuna identifies Krishna as the highest knowable reality: the Imperishable Absolute and also the eternal Person who upholds dharma. The verse unites metaphysical truth (akṣara, avyaya, sanātana) with ethical governance (dharma-goptā), implying that ultimate reality is not indifferent but sustains moral order.
In the wake of witnessing the cosmic form (viśvarūpa), Arjuna’s awe matures into theological recognition. He addresses Krishna not merely as a charioteer or ally in war, but as the universe’s final refuge and the guardian of eternal dharma, expressing his concluded understanding ('mato me').