Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva — Bhojan Mantra (Gita 15.14) — Word-by-Word Meaning
अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा — भोजन मन्त्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अहं
Aham
I (the Supreme Lord)
वैश्वानरः
Vaishvanarah
the fire of digestion (Vaishvanara, the digestive fire in all beings)
भूत्वा
bhutva
becoming
प्राणिनां
praninam
of all living beings
देहमाश्रितः
deham-ashritah
residing in the body, abiding within
प्राणापानसमायुक्तः
prana-apana-samayuktah
united with the prana (outgoing) and apana (incoming) life-breaths
पचामि
pachami
I digest, I cook / assimilate
अन्नं
annam
food
चतुर्विधम्
chatur-vidham
of four kinds (chewed, sucked, licked, drunk)
Complete Translation
Becoming the fire of digestion (Vaishvanara) and abiding in the bodies of all living beings, joined with the incoming and outgoing breaths (prana and apana), I digest the four kinds of food.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15, Verse 14
Author: Veda Vyasa (words of Sri Krishna)
Period: Ancient (Mahabharata / Bhagavad Gita)
In the fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the Purushottama Yoga, Sri Krishna reveals His all-pervading presence. In this verse He says that as Vaishvanara, the digestive fire, He himself dwells in the body of every creature and, united with the life-breaths, digests all that is eaten. Devotees recite it before meals so that eating is done with the awareness that the Lord within is the true eater and the giver of the power to digest, transforming an everyday act into worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva from?▼
It is verse 15.14 of the Bhagavad Gita, spoken by Lord Krishna. It is widely used as a Bhojan-mantra — the prayer recited before eating — often together with Brahmarpanam (Gita 4.24).
What does the verse mean?▼
Krishna declares that He, as Vaishvanara (the fire of digestion), abides in the body of every living being and, joined with the prana and apana breaths, digests the four kinds of food. Thus the very power that digests our meal is the Lord himself.
What are the 'four kinds of food'?▼
The chatur-vidha anna refers to the four ways food is taken: bhakshya (chewed), bhojya (eaten/swallowed), lehya (licked) and choshya (sucked). The verse means the Lord digests every kind of food we consume.
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