Chapter 15, Verse 14 (Bhagavad Gita 15.14)
Chapter 15: Puruṣhottam Yog – The Yoga of the Supreme Divine Personality
Sanskrit Shloka
अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः।प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम्
Transliteration
ahaṁ vaiśhvānaro bhūtvā prāṇināṁ deham āśhritaḥ prāṇāpāna-samāyuktaḥ pachāmy annaṁ chatur-vidham
Word Meanings
aham—I; vaiśhvānaraḥ—fire of digestion; bhūtvā—becoming; prāṇinām—of all living beings; deham—the body; āśhritaḥ—situated; prāṇa-apāna—outgoing and incoming breath; samāyuktaḥ—keeping in balance; pachāmi—I digest; annam—foods; chatuḥ-vidham—the four kinds
Translation
Having become the fire Vaisvanara, I abide in the bodies of living beings and, associated with the Prana and the Apana, digest the fourfold food.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna reveals His omnipresence as the sustainer of life, dwelling within every creature as the digestive fire. He explains that even the most mundane act of eating is a divine sacrifice performed by Him, reminding us that He is the true enjoyer of all efforts. By sustaining the bodily functions through Prana and Apana, Shri Krishna ensures the continuity of life, demonstrating that He is the architect of our very existence. For a devotee, this realization transforms every meal into an offering to the Supreme, fostering a deep sense of gratitude and constant remembrance. Through this truth, Shri Krishna invites the seeker to recognize the Divine in every breath and sustenance, bridging the gap between the material body and the eternal soul.