Why "Anuttamam" in Bhagavad Gita 7.18 Means "Not Supreme" (Inferior)
In popular translations, translators often treat Anuttamam as an intensifier meaning "unsurpassed" (i.e., nothing higher). However, when applying strict Sanskrit grammar and taking the broader theological context of the Gita into account, Anuttama literally means "that which is not supreme" (inferior/bad/useless).
In Bhagavad Gita 7.18, the speaker (Kaal Brahm) uses this exact word to describe his own position and state of salvation compared to the Supreme Almighty (Param Akshar Brahm).
The word Anuttamam (अनुत्तमाम्) is composed of two parts:
- An (अन् = Not) + Uttamam (उत्तमाम् = Supreme / Highest / Best)
When broken down literally:
- Uttam = Supreme / Best
- An-uttam = Not Supreme / Bad / Inferior / Useless
I. The Original Sanskrit and Direct Grammatical Breakdown
उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् । आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ॥ १८ ॥
Word-by-Word Breakdown:
- Udarah: Noble
- Sarve: All
- Eva: Indeed
- Ete: These (four types of devotees)
- Gyani: The wise person / seeker of knowledge
- Tu: But
- Atma: Soul
- Eva: Indeed
- Me: My
- Matam: Opinion / View
- Asthitah: Established / Fixed
- Sah: He
- Hi: Because
- Yuktatma: Steadfast mind
- Maam: Me (The Speaker / Kaal Brahm)
- Eva: Only
- Anuttamaam: NOT Supreme / Bad / Inferior / Useless (An + Uttam)
- Gatim: Destination / Salvation / State
II. Corrected Translation of Gita 7.18
Authentic Translation: "Noble indeed are all these four types of devotees, but I consider the wise seeker (Gyani) to be My very own soul. Because with a steadfast mind, he remains established in Me alone, pursuing my Anuttamam Gatim (inferior / not-supreme destination)."
III. Why the Speaker Calls His Own Destination "Anuttamam" (Inferior)
Why would the speaker of the Gita describe the salvation achieved through worshipping him as Anuttamam (not supreme / inferior)?
- Kaal's Realm Is Temporary: As established in Gita 8.16, all realms under the speaker (up to Brahmlok) are subject to repeated birth and death (Punar-avartinah).
- Reaching Him Yields Rebirth: As revealed in Gita 8.15, reaching the speaker (Mam Upetya) leaves a soul trapped in a temporary home of miseries (Duhkhalayam Ashashvatam).
- The Speaker Points Beyond Himself: Because the speaker's own realm does not offer ultimate, non-returning liberation, he calls his state Anuttamam (bad/inferior). Throughout the Gita, he instructs Arjuna to seek Param Akshar Brahm (Gita 8.3, 8.8–8.10, 18.62) to achieve true Uttam (supreme) salvation in Satlok.
