Who are The Three Gods of the Gita: Bhagavad Gita 15.16–15.17 Explained

Who are the Three Gods Mentioned in Bhagavad Gita 15.16 to 15.17 and Who is the Ultimate Creator?

In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15, Verses 16 and 17, the speaker delivers one of the most definitive cosmological statements in all of scripture. He clearly categorizes all existence into three distinct Supreme Entities (Purushas), drawing a sharp line between the perishable ruler of this world, the imperishable ruler of the intermediate realm, and the absolute Supreme God who sustains everything.

These two verses form the core logic of Chapter 15 (Purushottama Yoga), providing the master key to understanding the Vedic hierarchy.

I. The Original Sanskrit and Direct Translation

Bhagavad Gita 15.16:

द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च । क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते ॥ १६ ॥

• Dvav imau puruṣau loke: There are two types of Purushas (Gods/Rulers) in this world:
• Kṣharas ch akshara eva ch: the Perishable (Kshar) and the Imperishable (Akshar).
• Kṣharaḥ sarvani bhutani: The bodies of all living entities in the material world are perishable (under Kshar).
• Kuṭastho kshara uchyate: The soul is called imperishable, and the ruler of that intermediate realm is Akshar.

Bhagavad Gita 15.17:

उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युदाहृतः । यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः ॥ १७ ॥

• Uttamaḥ puruṣas tv anyaḥ: But the Supreme Person (Uttam Purush) is AGAIN DIFFERENT,
• Paramatma ety udahrtah: who is called the Paramatma (Supreme Self).
• Yo loka-trayam avishya: Who, entering into all the three worlds,
• Bibharty avyaya ishvarah: maintains and sustains everyone as the Eternal Supreme Lord.

II. Deconstructing the Three Purushas (The Cosmic Hierarchy)

Verse 16 introduces two Gods, but Verse 17 immediately introduces a Third, Higher God who is completely distinct (Anyaḥ) from the first two:

[ 1. KSHAR PURUSH ] ──► Kaal Brahm ──► Perishable Ruler of 21 Universes
         │
[ 2. AKSHAR PURUSH ] ──► Parabrahm ──► Imperishable Ruler of 7 Shankh Universes
         │
[ 3. PARAM AKSHAR PURUSH ] ──► KavirDev (God Kabir) ──► Uttam Purush / Supreme Lord in Satlok

1. Kshar Purush (Perishable God):

• Identity: Kaal Brahm, the speaker of the Gita.
• Jurisdiction: The 21 material universes.
• Status: His realm and the material bodies within it are subject to creation, destruction, and time.

2. Akshar Purush (Imperishable God):

• Identity: Parabrahm.
• Jurisdiction: 7 shankh (trillion) universes.
• Status: Much higher than Kaal Brahm; his realm does not perish during the minor dissolutions of Kaal's world, yet he remains subordinate to the Supreme Lord.

3. Param Akshar Purush (The Uttam Purush / Supreme God):

• Identity: KavirDev (Supreme God Kabir), as declared in Gita 8.20 and 15.17.
• Jurisdiction: The entire creation, including the eternal realm of Satlok.
• Status: He is the true Paramatma. Verse 15.17 specifically states that He enters all three worlds (Loka-trayam) to sustain and maintain every living soul.

III. Why Verse 15.17 Changes Everything

A very common mistake in mainstream commentary is grouping all existence into just two categories: the soul and God.

However, Gita 15.17 uses the explicit Sanskrit phrase "Uttamaḥ puruṣas tv anyaḥ"—meaning "The Supreme Person is DIFFERENT from these two."

1. The Speaker Excludes Himself: The speaker of the Gita (Kaal/Kshar) counts himself among the lower entities and explicitly directs Arjuna’s attention to this Third Being.
2. The True Maintainer: Kaal Brahm feeds on souls to fulfill his daily quota, whereas the Uttam Purush (God Kabir) is the benevolent Father who sustains all three worlds without taking anything in return.

IV. Summary: Comparison of the Three Purushas

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is the "Uttam Purush" in Gita 15.17?

The Uttam Purush (Supreme Person) is Param Akshar Brahm (KavirDev / Supreme God Kabir). He is distinct from both Kshar Purush (Kaal) and Akshar Purush (Parabrahm), and He resides in the unchangeable realm of Satlok.

2. Why does the speaker of the Gita say the Supreme God is "other" or "different" (Anyaḥ)?

Because the speaker of the Gita is Kaal Brahm (Kshar Purush). He acknowledges his own limitations and truthfully informs Arjuna that the ultimate Lord who preserves and sustains all three worlds is a separate, higher Supreme Being.

3. How does Gita 15.16–15.17 connect to Gita 8.20?

In Gita 8.20, the speaker mentions "Sanatan Unmanifest" which is beyond the lower unmanifest (Kaal). Gita 15.16–17 provides the exact names and categories for these levels, confirming that the Uttam Purush is the ultimate destination.