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Bhagavad Gita 9.16

Chapter 9, Verse 16

Part of 9: Rāja Vidyā Yogराजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग

अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाऽहमहमौषधम्। मंत्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम्॥

Transliteration

ahaṁ kratur ahaṁ yajñaḥ svadhāham aham auṣhadham mantro ’ham aham evājyam aham agnir ahaṁ hutam

Meaning

I am Kratu; I am Yajna; I am the offering to the manes; I am the medicinal herbs and all plants; I am the Mantra; I am also the ghee or melted butter; I am the fire; I am the oblation.

Word-by-word meaning
ahamIkratuḥVedic ritualahamIyajñaḥsacrificesvadhāoblationahamIahamIauṣhadhammedicinal herbmantraḥVedic mantraahamIahamIevaalsoājyamclarified butterahamIagniḥfireahamIhutamthe act offering
Commentary

Kratu is a kind of Vedic sacrifice. Yajna is the worship enjoined in the Smriti or the holy books laying down lay and the code of conduct. I am the Mantra, the chant with which the oblation is offered to the manes or ancestors, and the shining ones (the Devatas or gods). Hutam also means the act of offering. Aushadham All plants including rice and barley or medicine that can cure diseases. (Cf. IV.24)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 16?
I am Kratu; I am Yajna; I am the offering to the manes; I am the medicinal herbs and all plants; I am the Mantra; I am also the ghee or melted butter; I am the fire; I am the oblation.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 16 of Chapter 9 (Rāja Vidyā Yog — Yoga through the King of Sciences) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.