Aham Sarvasya Prabhavo — Word-by-Word Meaning
अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अहं
ahaṃ
I (Krishna, the Supreme Lord)
सर्वस्य
sarvasya
of all (everything)
प्रभवः
prabhavaḥ
the source, origin, the one from whom all springs
मत्तः
mattaḥ
from Me
सर्वं
sarvaṃ
everything
प्रवर्तते
pravartate
proceeds, evolves, is set in motion
इति मत्वा
iti matvā
knowing / realizing this
भजन्ते मां
bhajante māṃ
worship Me, are devoted to Me
बुधाः
budhāḥ
the wise, the enlightened
भावसमन्विताः
bhāva-samanvitāḥ
endowed with loving feeling and conviction
Complete Translation
I am the source of all; from Me everything proceeds. Knowing this, the wise, filled with loving devotion, worship Me.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 (Vibhuti Yoga), verse 8
Author: Spoken by Lord Krishna; part of the Mahabharata (Veda Vyasa)
Period: Classical antiquity (part of the Mahabharata)
In the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna reveals his infinite divine glories. He opens this disclosure by declaring himself the origin of all that is, the one from whom everything proceeds, and says that those who truly know this worship him with loving devotion. Vaishnava commentators count this among the four (or several) 'essence verses' (chatuh-shloki) at the core of the Gita's teaching of bhakti.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Aham Sarvasya Prabhavo' come from?▼
It is verse 10.8 of the Bhagavad Gita, from the chapter on the divine glories (Vibhuti Yoga), spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.
Why is this verse so important to devotees?▼
Many teachers, especially in the Bhakti and Gaudiya Vaishnava traditions, regard 10.8 as the 'essence verse' of the Gita. It states both the truth (Krishna is the source of all) and the response to that truth (the wise worship him with love), uniting knowledge and devotion.
What does 'bhava-samanvitah' mean?▼
It means 'endowed with bhava' — with deep loving emotion and heartfelt conviction. The verse teaches that true worship of God flows not from obligation but from this inner feeling of love.
How is this verse used in practice?▼
It is recited in daily devotions and Gita study, used in japa, and often quoted in discourses on bhakti. Devotees meditate on it to awaken loving remembrance of Krishna as the origin and support of all.
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