भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्॥ सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति।।5.29।।
bhoktaram yajnatapasam sarvalokamaheshvaram suhrdam sarvabhutanam jnatva mam shantimrcchati
Translation
Having realized Me as the enjoyer of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all the worlds and the selfless friend of all living beings, My devotee attains peace.
Word Meanings
bhoktāram — the beneficiary; yajña — of sacrifices; tapasām — and penances and austerities; sarva‑loka — of all planets and the demigods thereof; mahā‑īśvaram — the Supreme Lord; su‑hṛdam — the benefactor; sarva — of all; bhūtānām — the living entities; jñātvā — thus knowing; mām — Me (Lord Kṛṣṇa); śāntim — relief from material pangs; ṛcchati — one achieves.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Krishna describes the ultimate state of a true devotee who has internalized the supreme reality of the Divine. The word bhoktāra means ‘enjoyer’ or ‘receiver’; it denotes that the Lord is the ultimate enjoyer of all sacrificial acts, whether performed by sages, priests or ordinary beings. By recognizing the Lord as the bhoktāra of yajña (sacrifice) and tapas (austerities), a devotee sees that every act of self‑discipline ultimately pleases the Supreme and is offered to Him.
The phrase sarvalokamahīśvara expands this insight to the cosmic level: the Lord is the king, the sovereign ruler of every world, every planetary system, and all realms of existence. This universal lordship is not a distant, detached authority; it is a loving presence that pervades and sustains all creation. The devotee who perceives the Lord in this way transcends narrow identification with personal gain and embraces a universal vision of divinity.
The adjective suhrid meaning ‘friend’ or ‘well‑wisher’, qualifies the relationship between the Lord and all living entities (sarvabhūtānām). By calling Him a ‘selfless friend’, Krishna emphasizes that His concern is not limited to a select few but extends to every creature. This friend does not demand anything in return; instead, He offers unconditional support, guiding each being toward its highest potential.
When a devotee jñātvā — ‘knowing’ — this truth, he or she recognizes that the ultimate object of all effort is the Divine Himself. This knowledge is not merely intellectual; it is a living conviction that reshapes thoughts, speech, and actions. Such realization eliminates the ego‑driven desire for separate gratification and replaces it with a deep sense of unity with the Divine.
The result of this profound understanding is śānti — peace. This peace ("mṛcchati") is not a fleeting emotional calm but a lasting liberation from the cyclical pains of material existence (samsāra). It denotes freedom from inner conflict, fear, and longing, as the devotee rests in the assurance that the Supreme enjoys all offerings and remains the ever‑present friend. In practical terms, this peace manifests as equanimity in success and failure, steadfastness amid life's fluctuations, and a tranquil mind that remains rooted in divine consciousness.
Thus, verse 5.29 encapsulates the Gita’s central teaching: when the seeker sees the Lord as the universal enjoyer, sovereign, and loving friend, and internalizes this truth, the seeker transcends worldly anxieties and attains the highest spiritual peace.
