Seven words arrive in quick succession: gati, bharta, prabhu, sakshi, nivasa, sharanam, suhrit. Each names a different face of the divine. Among them, 'suhrit' — the selfless friend — stands out as the most tender. Not a friend who expects something in return, but one who simply wishes you well, always.
Then Krishna adds: I am the source of creation, the cause of dissolution, the foundation of everything, and the final resting place. And 'bijam avyayam' — the imperishable seed. Every tree, every forest, every living thing traces back to a seed. Krishna says the entire cosmos traces back to him — and that seed never perishes.
This shloka reads like a complete address. Where do you come from? Krishna. Where are you going? Krishna. Who holds you? Krishna. Who watches over you? Krishna. Who is your truest friend? Krishna.