brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham amṛtasyāvyayasya ca śāśvatasya ca dharmasya sukhasyaikāntikasya ca
"For I am the foundation of Brahman—the immortal, the imperishable, the eternal dharma, and absolute bliss."
What This Means:
Krishna concludes: 'I am the foundation of Brahman itself'—the immortal, imperishable, eternal law, and complete bliss. The personal God (Krishna) is the basis of even the impersonal Absolute.
Going Deeper:
'Brahmaṇaḥ pratiṣṭhā aham'—I am the foundation of Brahman. This profound statement: the Saguna (with qualities) supports the Nirguna (without qualities). Or: the impersonal Brahman rests on the personal Godhead. 'Amṛtasya avyayasya'—of the immortal and imperishable. 'Śāśvatasya dharmasya'—of eternal dharma. 'Sukhasya ekāntikasya'—of absolute (eka-antika) bliss. Krishna is the source of all.
How To Apply This:
This verse reconciles devotion and knowledge. The impersonal Brahman you seek through meditation is grounded in the personal God you worship through devotion. Both paths lead to the same reality—which you can approach as 'It' or 'Thou.'
Key Sanskrit Terms: