बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम्। बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्।।7.10।।
bījam māṁ sarva‑bhūtānāṁ viddhi pārtha sanātanam | buddhiḥ buddhi‑matām asmi tejaḥ tejasvinām aham ||7.10||
Translation
O Arjun, know that I am the eternal seed of all beings. I am the intellect of the intelligent, and the splendor of the glorious.
Word Meanings
bījam — the seed; mām — Me; sarva-bhūtānām — of all living entities; viddhi — try to understand; pārtha — O son of Pṛthā; sanātanam — original, eternal; buddhiḥ — intelligence; buddhi-matām — of the intelligent; asmi — I am; tejaḥ — prowess; tejasvinām — of the powerful; aham — I am.
Understanding the Verse
In this concise yet profound declaration, Lord Krishna reveals three fundamental aspects of His divine nature that pervade the entire cosmos. The opening phrase, “bījam māṁ sarva‑bhūtānāṁ viddhi” (know Me as the seed of all beings), uses the metaphor of a seed to convey that the Supreme is the subtle, original cause from which every living entity sprouts. Just as a seed contains the genetic blueprint of the whole plant within a minute kernel, the Divine essence contains the potentiality of all forms, thoughts, and actions. This seed is not a physical entity but a spiritual principle that animates the material world, remaining ever‑present while remaining untouched by the transformations it initiates. By calling Himself the “sanātanam” (eternal), Krishna emphasizes that this seed is beyond time; it has always existed, preceding creation and persisting after dissolution, underscoring the concept of the immutable absolute reality (Brahman).
The second identification, “buddhiḥ buddhi‑matām asmi,” declares that He is the intelligence residing in those who are wise. Here “buddhi” denotes not merely intellectual capacity but a higher discriminative wisdom that discerns the real from the unreal, the self‑same from the transient. This wisdom is the guiding light that enables a seeker to transcend the ego‑driven mind and perceive the underlying unity of existence. By identifying Himself as the source of such wisdom, Krishna affirms that true knowledge (jnana) is a direct manifestation of the divine, and that the intellect which leads to self‑realization is a spark of His own consciousness. Consequently, the aspirant’s pursuit of wisdom becomes a pilgrimage toward the divine itself.
The final proclamation, “tejaḥ tejasvinām aham,” states that He is the brilliance of the powerful. “Teja” signifies dynamic energy, radiance, and the vital force that drives action. It is the luminous quality that shines through the deeds of the valiant, the heroic, and the spiritually awakened. By being the source of this radiant power, the Lord underscores that all heroic vigor, moral strength, and spiritual vigor originate from Him. In the Bhagavad‑Gita’s larger discourse, this highlights the unity of action (karma) and consciousness: the vigor of a righteous warrior is ultimately powered by divine energy.
Collectively, these three statements form a triadic map of the relationship between the individual and the Supreme: the seed (origin), the intellect (knowledge), and the splendor (action). The verse invites the devotee to recognize that every breath, every thought, and every deed are expressions of the same divine principle. When a seeker internalizes this truth, the apparent separation between self and God dissolves, fostering a sense of humility, devotion, and empowerment. The verse thus serves as a cornerstone for the practice of bhakti (devotion) and jnana (knowledge), encouraging the aspirant to see the Divine not only as a distant creator but as the intimate essence embedded in every aspect of existence.
