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Chapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge · 34 verses

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Krishna’s natureChapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge
9.179.19

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 9.18

Krishna as shelter, friend and source

गतिर्भर्ता प्रभु: साक्षी निवास: शरणं सुहृत् ।

प्रभव: प्रलय: स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम् ॥ १८ ॥

gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣī

nivāsaḥ śaraṇaṁ suhṛt

prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ

nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam

Translation

I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

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

Kṛṣṇa, Our Goal and Shelter

  1. 1Kṛṣṇa is the goal, sustainer, master, witness, shelter and dearest friend. He is the source, end and eternal basis of everything.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that everything depends on Kṛṣṇa’s energy. Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal and the witness in everyone’s heart.
  3. 3Approach Kṛṣṇa directly and take shelter of Him for protection and relief from distress.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 9, The Most Confidential Knowledge: krishna as shelter, friend and source.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the source of all.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 9.18 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 9.16Krishna as shelter, friend and sourceBG 9.17Krishna as shelter, friend and sourceBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 9.18 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.