Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 2
न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः | अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः ||
na me viduḥ sura-gaṇāḥ prabhavaṁ na maharṣayaḥ aham ādir hi devānāṁ maharṣīṇāṁ ca sarvaśaḥ
Neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know My origin; for I am the source of all the gods and the great sages in every way.
Krishna reveals His supreme position: even the gods (sura-gaṇāḥ) and great sages (maharṣayaḥ) don't fully know His origin (prabhavam). 'Na me viduḥ'—they don't know My source. This isn't saying they're ignorant—it's showing Krishna's transcendence. 'Aham ādir hi'—I am indeed the beginning. He's the source (ādir) of all gods (devānām) and great sages (maharṣīṇām) 'sarvaśaḥ'—in all respects. This establishes Krishna's supreme position: everything that seems powerful or wise comes from Him. The gods worship Him, the sages seek Him, but they don't fully comprehend His origin because He IS the origin. This sets up the chapter's theme: recognizing that the best in each category—gods, sages, knowledge, power—comes from the Supreme.