yasmāt kṣaram atīto 'ham akṣarād api cottamaḥ ato 'smi loke vede ca prathitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ
"Because I transcend the perishable and am higher even than the imperishable, I am celebrated in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person."
What This Means:
Because Krishna transcends the perishable world AND is higher even than the imperishable witness, he is celebrated in the world and scriptures as 'Purushottama'—the Supreme Person.
Going Deeper:
'Kṣaram atītaḥ'—I transcend the perishable. 'Akṣarāt api uttamaḥ'—higher even than the imperishable. This is the revolutionary teaching: Purushottama is beyond even the distinction between world and witness, beyond manifest and unmanifest. 'Ataḥ loke vede ca prathitaḥ Puruṣottamaḥ'—therefore I am celebrated as Purushottama. The title 'Purushottama' (Supreme Person) captures this transcendence.
How To Apply This:
Don't settle for partial understanding—either dismissing the world or ignoring transcendence. The Supreme includes all: the changing world, the unchanging witness, and that which is beyond both.
Key Sanskrit Terms: