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Chapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person · 20 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Krishna’s natureChapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person

15.17 15.19

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 15.18

The Supreme Person beyond fallible and infallible

Īśvara · God

यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तम: ।

अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथित: पुरुषोत्तम: ॥ १८ ॥

yasmāt kṣaram atīto ’ham

akṣarād api cottamaḥ

ato ’smi loke vede ca

prathitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ

Translation

Because I am transcendental, beyond both the fallible and the infallible, and because I am the greatest, I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as that Supreme Person.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Kṛṣṇa Is the Supreme Person

1
Kṛṣṇa is beyond both the fallible and the infallible. The world and the Vedas recognize Him as the Supreme Person.
2
Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa and living beings are individuals, but no conditioned or liberated soul can surpass His powers.
3
Understand that Kṛṣṇa is always supreme; living beings are never equal to Him in all respects.

Key points from the purport

Krishna is Himself the Supersoul — “I am that Supreme Soul” celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person Because:

“I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible”

“I am the greatest”

The Living entity compared to the Lord

Both are always individuals

Difference is that, living entity at any stage, conditioned or liberated, cannot surpass in quantity the inconceivable potencies of the Lord

These two points refute that Supreme Lord and living entity are equal in all respects – thus refutes Mayavada

This is indicated by the word “Uttama” – No-one can surpass the superior position of the Lord

Importance of ”loke”

Signifies “In the paurusa aagama” (Ref. Smrti scriptures)

Nirukti dictionary explains “The purpose of Vedas is explained by the Smrti scriptures”

Reference for Supreme Lord as having a localized aspect as Paramatma — Ref. Chandogya Upanishad (study purport)

Connected verses · 1

Texts 15.18 & 15.19

What are the activities of one who has assimilated the knowledge of the previous three verses, especially the knowledge that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead?