नमः पुरस्तात् अथ पृष्ठातस्ते नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व। अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः।।11.40।।
namaḥ purastāt atha pṛṣṭhāt te namaḥ astu te sarvataḥ eva sarva ananta‑vīrya amita‑vikramaḥ tvam sarvaṃ samāpnoṣi tataḥ asi sarvaḥ
Translation
I bow to You from the front and also from the rear; indeed I bow to You from all directions. You, who are infinite in valor and immeasurable in power, pervade everything, and therefore You are everything.
Word Meanings
namaḥ — offering obeisances; purastāt — from the front; atha — also; pṛṣṭhāt — from the rear; te — unto You; namaḥ astu — I offer my respects; te — unto You; sarvataḥ — from all sides; eva — indeed; sarva — everything; ananta‑vīrya — infinite valor; amita‑vikramaḥ — immeasurable force; tvam — You; sarvaṃ — everything; samāpnoṣi — You pervade; tataḥ — therefore; asi — you are; sarvaḥ — everything
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 11, Arjuna beholds the cosmic form (Vishvarupa) of the Supreme Lord. The vision overwhelms his senses, showing innumerable faces, countless weapons, and the entire universe within the divine body. Facing such a revelation, Arjuna’s mind shifts from the battlefield’s strategic concerns to a profound realization of the Lord’s boundless nature.
Verse 11.40 captures Arjuna’s spontaneous reverence. He offers salutations from every possible orientation—front, rear, and all sides—signifying that the divine presence transcends ordinary spatial limits. By using the word "sarvataḥ" (from all sides) Arjuna acknowledges that the Lord is not confined to any single direction; He permeates the entire cosmos.
The epithets "ananta‑vīrya" (infinite valor) and "amita‑vikrama" (immeasurable force) describe two aspects of divine power. "Vīrya" conveys heroic bravery and the sustaining energy that maintains cosmic order, while "vikrama" denotes the awe‑inspiring might that can destroy ignorance. Together they illustrate the Lord’s capacity to both protect the righteous and subdue the unrighteous.
The phrase "sarvaṃ samāpnoṣi" (You pervade everything) emphasizes the all‑pervasive nature of the divine reality. In the Vedic worldview, the Supreme is both the material substrate (prakṛti) and the conscious principle (puruṣa) that animates it. This duality is evident in Arjuna’s acknowledgment that the Lord is the totality of existence, not just a remote overseer.
Concluding with "tato'asi sarvaḥ" (therefore You are everything), Arjuna synthesizes his experiential insight: the immanent, omnipresent reality is identical with the transcendent Supreme. This realization dissolves the perceived separation between devotee and deity, laying the groundwork for the later teachings on devotion (bhakti) and surrender (śaraṇa).
From a philosophical perspective, the verse illustrates the Advaitic principle of non‑duality (ekatva) where the individual self (ātman) ultimately recognizes its unity with Brahman. Yet, it also resonates with the theistic devotion emphasized throughout the Gita, where the personal form of the Lord is worshipped with love and humility. Arjuna’s reverent posture here models the ideal devotee: fully aware of the divine’s infinite grandeur, yet approaching with sincere surrender.
Practically, the verse teaches that wherever we find the divine—whether in front of us, behind us, or in every direction—we should cultivate an attitude of respect and gratitude. It reminds seekers that the sacred permeates all aspects of life, urging us to see the divine in daily encounters, relationships, and even challenges. By internalizing this holistic reverence, we align ourselves with the cosmic order and move toward spiritual liberation.
