न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः। अहम् आदिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः।।10.2।।
na me viduḥ suragaṇāḥ prabhavaṁ na mahārṣayaḥ | ahaṁ ādiḥ hi devānāṁ mahārṣīṇāṁ ca sarvaśaḥ ||10.2||
Translation
Neither the demigods nor the great sages know My origin; I am indeed the source of the gods and the great seers in all respects.
Word Meanings
na — never; me — My; viduḥ — know; sura-gaṇāḥ — the demigods; prabhavaṁ — origin, opulences; na — never; mahā-ṛṣayaḥ — great sages; aham — I am; ādiḥ — the origin; hi — certainly; devānāṁ — of the demigods; mahā-ṛṣīṇāṁ — of the great sages; ca — also; sarvaśaḥ — in all respects.
Understanding the Verse
Verse 10.2 of the Bhagavad Gita belongs to the section where Lord Krishna reveals his divine opulences (vibhūti) to Arjuna. After enumerating the supreme forms of his manifestation in the previous verse, Krishna emphasizes that his true essence is beyond the knowledge of even the most exalted beings in the cosmos.
The opening words "na me viduḥ" (neither know of me) set a tone of exclusivity: the deities (sura‑gaṇāḥ) and the eminent rishis (mahā‑ṛṣayaḥ) — who are traditionally regarded as the most enlightened and powerful – are still unaware of the ultimate source from which they arise. This statement underscores a key philosophical principle of Vedanta: the Supreme Reality (Brahman) is the substratum of all existence, and its ultimate nature is beyond the grasp of finite intellects, no matter how lofty.
Krishna then declares "aham ādiḥ" – "I am the origin" – establishing himself as the primal cause (adi) of everything. The particle "hi" intensifies this claim, conveying a sense of undeniable certainty. By placing himself as the source of "devānāṁ" (the gods) and "mahārṣīṇāṁ" (the great sages), Krishna integrates both the celestial hierarchy and the spiritual lineage of humanity under a single cosmic source. This unity dissolves any perceived duality between the divine and the sage, indicating that all manifestations are merely different expressions of the same infinite consciousness.
The concluding phrase "ca sarvaśaḥ" (in all respects) expands the scope of this declaration. It is not limited to the realm of deities or saints; it encompasses the entire creation – visible, invisible, animate, inanimate – affirming that Krishna's principle pervades every facet of existence. For the seeker, this verse challenges the tendency to relegate the divine to distant mythic figures and invites an inward recognition that the ultimate source is intimately present within every atom and thought.
From a devotional (bhakti) perspective, acknowledging Krishna as the all‑encompassing origin cultivates humility and surrender. Recognizing that even the most revered beings lack this ultimate knowledge encourages the devotee to turn directly to the Supreme Person rather than relying solely on intellectual understanding or external authorities. In practice, this verse serves as a reminder to deepen one's personal relationship with the Divine, trusting that the Supreme is the wellspring of all wisdom, power, and existence.
