Bhagavad Gita BG 15.18
Chapter 15, Verse 18 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः । अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥
yasmat ksharam atito 'ham aksharat api cottamah ato 'smi loke vede ca prathitah purushottamah
Meaning
Because I transcend the Kshara, and am higher even than the Akshara — therefore, in the world and in the Vedas I am known as the Purushottama (the Supreme Person).
Understanding
Krishna's self-declaration: yasmat ksharam atitah aham (because I transcend the Kshara/perishable) — aksharad api ca uttamah (and am higher/beyond even the Akshara/imperishable). Ato asmi loke vede ca prathitah purushottamah (therefore, in the world and in the Vedas I am known/celebrated as the Purushottama). This is the title's etymology: beyond (UT-) both Kshara and Akshara, I am the Supreme Person. The Ch15 teaching culminates in this declaration: Krishna IS the Purushottama — not just a being within the three categories but the Supreme who transcends all three.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यस्मात् | yasmat | because, since |
| अतीतः | atitah | transcended, gone beyond |
| उत्तमः | uttamah | higher, beyond, superior |
| प्रथितः | prathitah | known, celebrated, famous |
| यस्मात् | yasmāt | because |
| क्षरम् | kṣaram | the perishable |
| अतीतः | atītaḥ | transcended, beyond |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| अक्षरात् | akṣarāt | the imperishable |
| अपि | api ca | and also |
| उत्तमः | uttamaḥ | higher, superior |
| अतः | ataḥ | therefore |
| अस्मि | asmi | I am |
| लोके | loke | in the world |
| वेदे | vede ca | and in the Veda |
| प्रथितः | prathitaḥ | celebrated, renowned |
| पुरुषोत्तमः | puruṣottamaḥ | the Supreme Person |
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