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KarmaVaani

Chapter 10

विभूतियोग

Vibhūti Yog — Yoga through Appreciating the Infinite Opulences of God

The tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is "Vibhooti Yoga". In this chapter, Krishna reveals Himself as the cause of all causes. He describes His various manifestations and opulences in order to increase Arjuna's Bhakti. Arjuna is fully convinced of Lord's paramount position and proclaims him to be the Supreme Personality. He prays to Krishna to describe more of His divine glories which are like nectar to hear.

  1. 10.1

    श्री भगवानुवाच भूय एव महाबाहो श्रृणु मे परमं वचः। यत्तेऽहं प्रीयमाणाय वक्ष्यामि हितकाम्यया।।10.1।।

    śhrī bhagavān uvācha bhūya eva mahā-bāho śhṛiṇu me paramaṁ vachaḥ yatte ’haṁ prīyamāṇāya vakṣhyāmi hita-kāmyayā

    The Blessed Lord said, Again, O mighty-armed Arjuna, listen to my supreme word which I will declare to you, who are beloved, for your welfare.

    Word-by-word meanings

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Blessed Lord said; bhūyaḥ—again; eva—verily; mahā-bāho—mighty armed one; śhṛiṇu—hear; me—my; paramam—divine; vachaḥ—teachings; yat—which; te—to you; aham—I; prīyamāṇāya—you are my beloved confidant; vakṣhyāmi—say; hita-kāmyayā—for desiring your welfare

  2. 10.2

    न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः। अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः।।10.2।।

    na me viduḥ sura-gaṇāḥ prabhavaṁ na maharṣhayaḥ aham ādir hi devānāṁ maharṣhīṇāṁ cha sarvaśhaḥ

    Neither the hosts of the gods nor the great sages know My origin; for I am the source of all the gods and the great sages in every way.

    Word-by-word meanings

    na—neither; me—my; viduḥ—know; sura-gaṇāḥ—the celestial gods; prabhavam—origin; na—nor; mahā-ṛiṣhayaḥ—the great sages; aham—I; ādiḥ—the source; hi—certainly; devānām—of the celestial gods; mahā-ṛiṣhīṇām—of the great seers; cha—also; sarvaśhaḥ—in every way

  3. 10.3

    यो मामजमनादिं च वेत्ति लोकमहेश्वरम्। असम्मूढः स मर्त्येषु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते।।10.3।।

    yo māmajam anādiṁ cha vetti loka-maheśhvaram asammūḍhaḥ sa martyeṣhu sarva-pāpaiḥ pramuchyate

    He who knows Me as unborn and beginningless, as the great Lord of the worlds, he among mortals is undeluded and is liberated from all sins.

    Word-by-word meanings

    verseyaḥ—who; mām—me; ajam—unborn; anādim—beginningless; cha—and; vetti—know; loka—of the universe; mahā-īśhvaram—the Supreme Lord; asammūḍhaḥ—undeluded; saḥ—they; martyeṣhu—among mortals; sarva-pāpaiḥ—from all evils; pramuchyate—are freed from-3

  4. 10.4

    बुद्धिर्ज्ञानमसंमोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः। सुखं दुःखं भवोऽभावो भयं चाभयमेव च।।10.4।।

    buddhir jñānam asammohaḥ kṣhamā satyaṁ damaḥ śhamaḥ sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ bhavo ’bhāvo bhayaṁ chābhayameva cha

    Intellect, wisdom, non-delusion, forgiveness, truth, self-restraint, calmness, happiness, pain, existence or birth, non-existence or death, fear, and also fearlessness.

    Word-by-word meanings

    buddhiḥ—intellect; jñānam—knowledge; asammohaḥ—clarity of thought; kṣhamā—forgiveness; satyam—truthfulness; damaḥ—control over the senses; śhamaḥ—control of the mind; sukham—joy; duḥkham—sorrow; bhavaḥ—birth; abhāvaḥ—death; bhayam—fear; cha—and; abhayam—courage; eva—certainly; cha—and;

  5. 10.5

    अहिंसा समता तुष्टिस्तपो दानं यशोऽयशः। भवन्ति भावा भूतानां मत्त एव पृथग्विधाः।।10.5।।

    ahiṁsā samatā tuṣṭis tapo dānaṁ yaśo 'yaśaḥ bhavanti bhāvā bhūtānāṁ matta eva pṛthag-vidhāḥ

    Non-injury, equanimity, contentment, austerity, beneficence, fame, and ill-fame—these different qualities of beings arise from Me alone.

    Word-by-word meanings

    ahiṁsā—nonviolence; samatā—equilibrium; tuṣṭiḥ—satisfaction; tapaḥ—penance; dānam—charity; yaśaḥ—fame; ayaśaḥ—infamy; bhavanti—become; bhāvāḥ—natures; bhūtānām—of living entities; mattaḥ—from Me; eva—certainly; pṛthakvidhāḥ—differently arranged.

  6. 10.6

    महर्षयः सप्त पूर्वे चत्वारो मनवस्तथा। मद्भावा मानसा जाता येषां लोक इमाः प्रजाः।।10.6।।

    maharṣhayaḥ sapta pūrve chatvāro manavas tathā mad-bhāvā mānasā jātā yeṣhāṁ loka imāḥ prajāḥ

    The seven great sages, the ancient four, and the Manus, possessing powers like Mine (due to their minds being fixed on Me), were born from My mind; from them, these creatures have been born in this world.

    Word-by-word meanings

    mahā-ṛiṣhayaḥ—the great Sages; sapta—seven; pūrve—before; chatvāraḥ—four; manavaḥ—Manus; tathā—also; mat bhāvāḥ—are born from me; mānasāḥ—mind; jātāḥ—born; yeṣhām—from them; loke—in the world; imāḥ—all these; prajāḥ—people

  7. 10.7

    एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः। सोऽविकम्पेन योगेन युज्यते नात्र संशयः।।10.7।।

    etāṁ vibhūtiṁ yogaṁ cha mama yo vetti tattvataḥ so ’vikampena yogena yujyate nātra sanśhayaḥ

    He who truly knows these manifold manifestations of My Being and this Yoga-power of Mine, becomes established in unshakable Yoga; there is no doubt about it.

    Word-by-word meanings

    etām—these; vibhūtim—glories; yogam—divine powers; cha—and; mama—my; yaḥ—those who; vetti—know; tattvataḥ—in truth; saḥ—they; avikalpena—unwavering; yogena—in bhakti yog; yujyate—becomes united; na—never; atra—here; sanśhayaḥ—doubt

  8. 10.8

    अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते। इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विताः।।10.8।।

    ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate iti matvā bhajante māṁ budhā bhāva-samanvitāḥ

    I am the source of all; from me everything evolves; Understanding this, the wise, endowed with meditation, worship me.

    Word-by-word meanings

    aham—I; sarvasya—of all creation; prabhavaḥ—the origin of; mattaḥ—from me; sarvam—everything; pravartate—proceeds; iti—thus; matvā—having known; bhajante—worship; mām—me; budhāḥ—the wise; bhāva-samanvitāḥ—endowed with great faith and devotion

  9. 10.9

    मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा बोधयन्तः परस्परम्। कथयन्तश्च मां नित्यं तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च।।10.9।।

    mach-chittā mad-gata-prāṇā bodhayantaḥ parasparam kathayantaśh cha māṁ nityaṁ tuṣhyanti cha ramanti cha

    With their minds and lives wholly absorbed in Me, they enlighten each other and ever speak of Me, being satisfied and delighted.

    Word-by-word meanings

    mat-chittāḥ—those with minds fixed on me; mat-gata-prāṇāḥ—those who have surrendered their lives to me; bodhayantaḥ—enlightening (with divine knowledge of God); parasparam—one another; kathayantaḥ—speaking; cha—and; mām—about me; nityam—continously; tuṣhyanti—satisfaction; cha—and; ramanti—(they) delight; cha—also

  10. 10.10

    तेषां सततयुक्तानां भजतां प्रीतिपूर्वकम्। ददामि बुद्धियोगं तं येन मामुपयान्ति ते।।10.10।।

    teṣhāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te

    To those who are ever steadfast, worshipping me with love, I give the yoga of discrimination, by which they come to me.

    Word-by-word meanings

    teṣhām—to them; satata-yuktānām—ever steadfast; bhajatām—who engage in devotion; prīti-pūrvakam—with love; dadāmi—I give; buddhi-yogam—divine knowledge; tam—that; yena—by which; mām—to me; upayānti—come; te—they

  11. 10.11

    तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः। नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता।।10.11।।

    teṣhām evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ nāśhayāmyātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā

    Out of mere compassion for them, I, dwelling within their selves, destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the luminous lamp of knowledge.

    Word-by-word meanings

    teṣhām—for them; eva—only; anukampā-artham—out of compassion; aham—I; ajñāna-jam—born of ignorance; tamaḥ—darkness; nāśhayāmi—destroy; ātma-bhāva—within their hearts; sthaḥ—dwelling; jñāna—of knowledge; dīpena—with the lamp; bhāsvatā—luminous

  12. 10.12

    अर्जुन उवाच परं ब्रह्म परं धाम पवित्रं परमं भवान्। पुरुषं शाश्वतं दिव्यमादिदेवमजं विभुम्।।10.12।।

    arjuna uvācha paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān puruṣhaṁ śhāśhvataṁ divyam ādi-devam ajaṁ vibhum

    Arjuna said, "You are the Supreme Brahman, the supreme abode, the supreme purifier, eternal, divine Person, the primeval God, unborn, and omnipresent."

    Word-by-word meanings

    arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; param—Supreme; brahma—Brahman; param—Supreme; dhāma—Abode; pavitram—purifier; paramam—Supreme; bhavān—you; puruṣham—personality; śhāśhvatam—Eternal; divyam—Divine; ādi-devam—the Primal Being; ajam—the Unborn; vibhum—the Great;

  13. 10.13

    आहुस्त्वामृषयः सर्वे देवर्षिर्नारदस्तथा। असितो देवलो व्यासः स्वयं चैव ब्रवीषि मे।।10.13।।

    āhus tvām ṛiṣhayaḥ sarve devarṣhir nāradas tathā asito devalo vyāsaḥ svayaṁ chaiva bravīṣhi me

    All the sages have thus declared Thee, as also the divine sage Narada; so also Asita, Devala, and Vyasa; and now Thou Thyself dost say so to me.

    Word-by-word meanings

    āhuḥ—(they) declare; tvām—you; ṛiṣhayaḥ—sages; sarve—all; deva-ṛiṣhiḥ-nāradaḥ—devarṣhi Narad; tathā—also; asitaḥ—Asit; devalaḥ—Deval; vyāsaḥ—Vyās; svayam—personally; cha—and; eva—even; bravīṣhī—you are declaring; me—to me

  14. 10.14

    सर्वमेतदृतं मन्ये यन्मां वदसि केशव। न हि ते भगवन् व्यक्ितं विदुर्देवा न दानवाः।।10.14।।

    sarvam etad ṛitaṁ manye yan māṁ vadasi keśhava na hi te bhagavan vyaktiṁ vidur devā na dānavāḥ

    I believe all that You have said to me to be true, O Krishna; indeed, O blessed Lord! Neither the gods nor the demons know Your manifestation (origin).

    Word-by-word meanings

    sarvam—everything; etat—this; ṛitam—truth; manye—I accept; yat—which; mām—me; vadasi—you tell; keśhava—Shree Krishna, the killer of the demon named Keshi; na—neither; hi—verily; te—your; bhagavan—the Supreme Lord; vyaktim—personality; viduḥ—can understand; devāḥ—the celestial gods; na—nor; dānavāḥ—the demons

  15. 10.15

    स्वयमेवात्मनाऽत्मानं वेत्थ त्वं पुरुषोत्तम। भूतभावन भूतेश देवदेव जगत्पते।।10.15।।

    swayam evātmanātmānaṁ vettha tvaṁ puruṣhottama bhūta-bhāvana bhūteśha deva-deva jagat-pate

    Verily, Thou Thyself knowest Thyself by Thyself, O Supreme Person, O source and Lord of all beings, O God of gods, O ruler of the world!

    Word-by-word meanings

    swayam—yourself; eva—indeed; ātmanā—by yourself; ātmānam—yourself; vettha—know; tvam—you; puruṣha-uttama—the Supreme Personality; bhūta-bhāvana—the Creator of all beings; bhūta-īśha—the Lord of everything; deva-deva—the God of gods; jagat-pate—the Lord of the universe

  16. 10.16

    वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः। याभिर्विभूतिभिर्लोकानिमांस्त्वं व्याप्य तिष्ठसि।।10.16।।

    vaktum arhasyaśheṣheṇa divyā hyātma-vibhūtayaḥ yābhir vibhūtibhir lokān imāṁs tvaṁ vyāpya tiṣhṭhasi

    You should indeed tell, without reserve, of your divine glories by which you exist, pervading all these worlds. (No one else can do so.)

    Word-by-word meanings

    vaktum—to describe; arhasi—please do; aśheṣheṇa—completely; divyāḥ—divine; hi—indeed; ātma—your own; vibhūtayaḥ—opulences; yābhiḥ—by which; vibhūtibhiḥ—opulences; lokān—all worlds; imān—these; tvam—you; vyāpya—pervade; tiṣhṭhasi—reside;

  17. 10.17

    कथं विद्यामहं योगिंस्त्वां सदा परिचिन्तयन्। केषु केषु च भावेषु चिन्त्योऽसि भगवन्मया।।10.17।।

    kathaṁ vidyām ahaṁ yogins tvāṁ sadā parichintayan keṣhu keṣhu cha bhāveṣhu chintyo ’si bhagavan mayā

    How shall I, ever meditating, know you, O Yogin? In what aspects or things, O blessed Lord, should I think of you?

    Word-by-word meanings

    katham—how; vidyām aham—shall I know; yogin—the Supreme Master of Yogmaya; tvām—you; sadā—always; parichintayan—meditating; keṣhu—in what; keṣhu—in what; cha—and; bhāveṣhu—forms; chintyaḥ asi—to be thought of; bhagavan—the Supreme Divine Personality; mayā—by me

  18. 10.18

    विस्तरेणात्मनो योगं विभूतिं च जनार्दन। भूयः कथय तृप्तिर्हि श्रृण्वतो नास्ति मेऽमृतम्।।10.18।।

    vistareṇātmano yogaṁ vibhūtiṁ cha janārdana bhūyaḥ kathaya tṛiptir hi śhṛiṇvato nāsti me ’mṛitam

    Tell me again in detail, O Krishna, of your yogic power and glory; for I am not satiated with what I have heard of your life-giving and nectar-like speech.

    Word-by-word meanings

    vistareṇa—in detail; ātmanaḥ—your; yogam—divine glories; vibhūtim—opulences; cha—also; janaārdana—Shree Krishna, he who looks after the public; bhūyaḥ—again; kathaya—describe; tṛiptiḥ—satisfaction; hi—because; śhṛiṇvataḥ—hearing; na—not; asti—is; me—my; amṛitam—nectar

  19. 10.19

    श्री भगवानुवाच हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः। प्राधान्यतः कुरुश्रेष्ठ नास्त्यन्तो विस्तरस्य मे।।10.19।।

    śhrī bhagavān uvācha hanta te kathayiṣhyāmi divyā hyātma-vibhūtayaḥ prādhānyataḥ kuru-śhreṣhṭha nāstyanto vistarasya me

    The Blessed Lord said, "Very well! Now I will declare to you My divine glories in their prominence, O Arjuna; there is no end to their detailed description."

    Word-by-word meanings

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Blessed Lord spoke; hanta—yes; te—to you; kathayiṣhyāmi—I shall describe; divyāḥ—divine; hi—certainly; ātma-vibhūtayaḥ—my divine glories; prādhānyataḥ—salient; kuru-śhreṣhṭha—best of the Kurus; na—not; asti—is; antaḥ—limit; vistarasya—extensive glories; me—my

  20. 10.20

    अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थितः। अहमादिश्च मध्यं च भूतानामन्त एव च।।10.20।।

    aham ātmā guḍākeśha sarva-bhūtāśhaya-sthitaḥ aham ādiśh cha madhyaṁ cha bhūtānām anta eva cha

    I am the Self, O Gudakesa, seated in the hearts of all beings; I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings.

    Word-by-word meanings

    aham—I; ātmā—soul; guḍākeśha—Arjun, the conqueror of sleep; sarva-bhūta—of all living entities; āśhaya-sthitaḥ—seated in the heart; aham—I; ādiḥ—the beginning; cha—and; madhyam—middle; cha—and; bhūtānām—of all beings; antaḥ—end; eva—even; cha—also

  21. 10.21

    आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान्। मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी।।10.21।।

    ādityānām ahaṁ viṣhṇur jyotiṣhāṁ ravir anśhumān marīchir marutām asmi nakṣhatrāṇām ahaṁ śhaśhī

    Among the twelve Adityas, I am Vishnu; among luminaries, the radiant sun; among the seven or forty-nine Maruts, I am Marichi; among stars, I am the moon.

    Word-by-word meanings

    ādityānām—amongst the twelve sons of Aditi; aham—I; viṣhṇuḥ—Lord Vishnu; jyotiṣhām—amongst luminous objects; raviḥ—the sun; anśhu-mān—radiant; marīchiḥ—Marichi; marutām—of the Maruts; asmi—(I) am; nakṣhatrāṇām—amongst the stars; aham—I; śhaśhī—the moon

  22. 10.22

    वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः। इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना।।10.22।।

    vedānāṁ sāma-vedo ’smi devānām asmi vāsavaḥ indriyāṇāṁ manaśh chāsmi bhūtānām asmi chetanā

    Among the Vedas, I am the Sama-Veda; among the gods, I am Vasava; among the senses, I am the mind; and among living beings, I am intelligence.

    Word-by-word meanings

    vedānām—amongst the Vedas; sāma-vedaḥ—the Sāma Veda; asmi—I am; devānām—of all the celestial gods; asmi—I am; vāsavaḥ̣—Indra; indriyāṇām—of amongst the senses; manaḥ—the mind; ca—and; asmi—I am; bhūtānām—amongst the living beings; asmi—I am; chetanā—consciousness

  23. 10.23

    रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम्। वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरुः शिखरिणामहम्।।10.23।।

    rudrāṇāṁ śhaṅkaraśh chāsmi vitteśho yakṣha-rakṣhasām vasūnāṁ pāvakaśh chāsmi meruḥ śhikhariṇām aham

    And among the Rudras, I am Sankara; among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, the Lord of Wealth (Kubera); among the Vasus, I am Pavaka (Fire); and among the seven mountains, I am Meru.

    Word-by-word meanings

    rudrāṇām—amongst the Rudras; śhaṅkaraḥ—Lord Shiv; cha—and; asmi—I am; vitta-īśhaḥ—the god of wealth and the treasurer of the celestial gods; yakṣha—amongst the semi-divine demons; rakṣhasām—amongst the demons; vasūnām—amongst the Vasus; pāvakaḥ—Agni (fire); cha—and; asmi—I am; meruḥ—Mount Meru; śhikhariṇām—amongst the mountains; aham—I am

  24. 10.24

    पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ बृहस्पतिम्। सेनानीनामहं स्कन्दः सरसामस्मि सागरः।।10.24।।

    purodhasāṁ cha mukhyaṁ māṁ viddhi pārtha bṛihaspatim senānīnām ahaṁ skandaḥ sarasām asmi sāgaraḥ

    And, among the household priests of kings, O Arjuna, know Me to be the chief, Brihaspati; among the army generals, I am Skanda; among lakes, I am the ocean.

    Word-by-word meanings

    purodhasām—amongst priests; cha—and; mukhyam—the chiefs; mām—me; viddhi—know; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; bṛihaspatim—Brihaspati; senānīnām—warrior chief; aham—I; skandaḥ—Kartikeya; sarasām—amongst reservoirs of water; asmi—I am; sāgaraḥ—the ocean

  25. 10.25

    महर्षीणां भृगुरहं गिरामस्म्येकमक्षरम्। यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि स्थावराणां हिमालयः।।10.25।।

    maharṣhīṇāṁ bhṛigur ahaṁ girām asmyekam akṣharam yajñānāṁ japa-yajño ’smi sthāvarāṇāṁ himālayaḥ

    Among the great sages, I am Bhrigu; among words, I am the one syllable (Om); among sacrifices, I am the sacrifice of silent repetition; among the immovable things, I am the Himalayas.

    Word-by-word meanings

    mahā-ṛiṣhīṇām—among the great seers; bhṛiguḥ—Bhrigu; aham—I; girām—amongst chants; asmi—I am; ekam akṣharam—the syllable Om; yajñānām—of sacrifices; japa-yajñaḥ—sacrifice of the devotional repetition of the divine names of God; asmi—I am; sthāvarāṇām—amongst immovable things; himālayaḥ—the Himalayas

  26. 10.26

    अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारदः। गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथः सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनिः।।10.26।।

    aśhvatthaḥ sarva-vṛikṣhāṇāṁ devarṣhīṇāṁ cha nāradaḥ gandharvāṇāṁ chitrarathaḥ siddhānāṁ kapilo muniḥ

    Among all the trees, I am the Peepul; among the divine sages, I am Narada; among the Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha; among the perfected, I am the sage Kapila.

    Word-by-word meanings

    aśhvatthaḥ—the banyan tree; sarva-vṛikṣhāṇām—amongst all trees; deva-ṛiṣhīṇām—amongst celestial sages; cha—and; nāradaḥ—Narad; gandharvāṇām—amongst the gandharvas; chitrarathaḥ—Chitrarath; siddhānām—of all those who are perfected; kapilaḥ muniḥ—sage Kapil

  27. 10.27

    उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम्। ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम्।।10.27।।

    uchchaiḥśhravasam aśhvānāṁ viddhi mām amṛitodbhavam airāvataṁ gajendrāṇāṁ narāṇāṁ cha narādhipam

    Know Me as Ucchaisravas, born of nectar, among horses; Airavata among lordly elephants; and the king among men.

    Word-by-word meanings

    uchchaiḥśhravasam—Uchchaihshrava; aśhvānām—amongst horses; viddhi—know; mām—me; amṛita-udbhavam—begotten from the churning of the ocean of nectar; airāvatam—Airavata; gaja-indrāṇām—amongst all lordly elephants; narāṇām—amongst humans; cha—and; nara-adhipam—the king

  28. 10.28

    आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक्। प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः।।10.28।।

    āyudhānām ahaṁ vajraṁ dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk prajanaśh chāsmi kandarpaḥ sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ

    Among weapons, I am the thunderbolt; among cows, I am the wish-fulfilling cow called Kamadhenu; I am the progenitor, the god of love; among serpents, I am Vasuki.

    Word-by-word meanings

    āyudhānām—amongst weapons; aham—I; vajram—the Vajra (thunderbolt); dhenūnām—amongst cows; asmi—I am; kāma-dhuk—Kamdhenu; prajanaḥ—amongst causes for procreation; cha—and; asmi—I am; kandarpaḥ—Kaamdev, the god of love; sarpāṇām—amongst serpents; asmi—I am; vāsukiḥ—serpent Vasuki

  29. 10.29

    अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम्। पितृ़णामर्यमा चास्मि यमः संयमतामहम्।।10.29।।

    anantaśh chāsmi nāgānāṁ varuṇo yādasām aham pitṝīṇām aryamā chāsmi yamaḥ sanyamatām aham

    I am Ananta among the Nagas; I am Varuna among water-deities; Aryaman among the Manes; I am Yama among the governors.

    Word-by-word meanings

    anantaḥ—Anant; cha—and; asmi—I am; nāgānām—amongst snakes; varuṇaḥ—the celestial god of the ocean; yādasām—amongst aquatics; aham—I; pitṝīṇām—amongst the departed ancestors; aryamā—Aryama; cha—and; asmi—am; yamaḥ—the celestial god of death; sanyamatām—amongst dispensers of law; aham—I

  30. 10.30

    प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम्। मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम्।।10.30।।

    prahlādaśh chāsmi daityānāṁ kālaḥ kalayatām aham mṛigāṇāṁ cha mṛigendro ’haṁ vainateyaśh cha pakṣhiṇām

    And I am Prahlada among the demons, I am Time among reckoners, I am the lion among beasts, and Vainateya (Garuda) among birds.

    Word-by-word meanings

    prahlādaḥ—Prahlad; cha—and; asmi—I am; daityānām—of the demons; kālaḥ—time; kalayatām—of all that controls; aham—I; mṛigāṇām—amongst animals; cha—and; mṛiga-indraḥ—the lion; aham—I; vainateyaḥ—Garud; cha—and; pakṣhiṇām—amongst birds

  31. 10.31

    पवनः पवतामस्मि रामः शस्त्रभृतामहम्। झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी।।10.31।।

    pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śhastra-bhṛitām aham jhaṣhāṇāṁ makaraśh chāsmi srotasām asmi jāhnavī

    Among the purifiers, I am the wind; among the warriors, I am Rama; among the fishes, I am the shark; among the streams, I am the Ganga.

    Word-by-word meanings

    pavanaḥ—the wind; pavatām—of all that purifies; asmi—I am; rāmaḥ—Ram; śhastra-bhṛitām—of the carriers of weapons; aham—I am; jhaṣhāṇām—of all acquatics; makaraḥ—crocodile; cha—also; asmi—I am; srotasām—of flowing rivers; asmi—I am; jāhnavī—the Ganges

  32. 10.32

    सर्गाणामादिरन्तश्च मध्यं चैवाहमर्जुन। अध्यात्मविद्या विद्यानां वादः प्रवदतामहम्।।10.32।।

    sargāṇām ādir antaśh cha madhyaṁ chaivāham arjuna adhyātma-vidyā vidyānāṁ vādaḥ pravadatām aham

    Among creations I am the beginning, the middle, and the end, O Arjuna; among the sciences, I am the science of the Self; and I am the logic among controversialists.

    Word-by-word meanings

    sargāṇām—of all creations; ādiḥ—the beginning; antaḥ—end; cha—and; madhyam—middle; cha—and; eva—indeed; aham—I; arjuna—Arjun; adhyātma-vidyā—science of spirituality; vidyānām—amongst sciences; vādaḥ—the logical conclusion; pravadatām—of debates; aham—I

  33. 10.33

    अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्वः सामासिकस्य च। अहमेवाक्षयः कालो धाताऽहं विश्वतोमुखः।।10.33।।

    अहमेवाक्षय: कालो धाताहं विश्वतोमुख: || 33|| akṣharāṇām a-kāro ’smi dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya cha aham evākṣhayaḥ kālo dhātāhaṁ viśhvato-mukhaḥ

    Among the letters of the alphabet, I am the letter 'A' and the dual among compounds. I am verily the inexhaustible and everlasting time; I am the dispenser of the fruits of actions, having faces in all directions.

    Word-by-word meanings

    akṣharāṇām—amongst all letters; a-kāraḥ—the beginning letter “A”; asmi—I am; dvandvaḥ—the dual; sāmāsikasya—amongst grammatical compounds; cha—and; aham—I; eva—only; akṣhayaḥ—endless; kālaḥ—time; dhātā—amongst the creators; aham—I; viśhwataḥ-mukhaḥ—Brahma

  34. 10.34

    मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम्। कीर्तिः श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृतिः क्षमा।।10.34।।

    mṛityuḥ sarva-haraśh chāham udbhavaśh cha bhaviṣhyatām kīrtiḥ śhrīr vāk cha nārīṇāṁ smṛitir medhā dhṛitiḥ kṣhamā

    And I am the all-devouring Death, and the source of prosperity for those who are to be prosperous; among the feminine qualities, I am fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, firmness, and forgiveness.

    Word-by-word meanings

    mṛityuḥ—death; sarva-haraḥ—all-devouring; cha—and; aham—I; udbhavaḥ—the origin; cha—and; bhaviṣhyatām—those things that are yet to be; kīrtiḥ—fame; śhrīḥ—prospective; vāk—fine speech; cha—and; nārīṇām—amongst feminine qualities; smṛitiḥ—memory; medhā—intelligence; dhṛitiḥ—courage; kṣhamā—forgiveness

  35. 10.35

    बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम्। मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकरः।।10.35।।

    bṛihat-sāma tathā sāmnāṁ gāyatrī chhandasām aham māsānāṁ mārga-śhīrṣho ’ham ṛitūnāṁ kusumākaraḥ

    Among the hymns, I am the Brihatsaman; among meters, I am Gayatri; among months, I am Margasirsha; among seasons, I am the flowery season.

    Word-by-word meanings

    bṛihat-sāma—the Brihatsama; tathā—also; sāmnām—amongst the hymns in the Sama Veda; gāyatrī—the Gayatri mantra; chhandasām—amongst poetic meters; aham—I; māsānām—of the twelve months; mārga-śhīrṣhaḥ—the month of November-December; aham—I; ṛitūnām—of all seasons; kusuma-ākaraḥ—spring

  36. 10.36

    द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्। जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम्।।10.36।।

    dyūtaṁ chhalayatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham jayo ’smi vyavasāyo ’smi sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham

    I am the gambling of the deceitful; I am the splendor of the splendid; I am victory; I am the resolve of the resolute; I am the goodness of the good.

    Word-by-word meanings

    dyūtam—gambling; chhalayatām—of all cheats; asmi—I am; tejaḥ—the splendor; tejasvinām—of the splendid; aham—I; jayaḥ—victory; asmi—I am; vyavasāyaḥ—firm resolve; asmi—I am; sattvam—virtue; sattva-vatām—of the virtuous; aham—I

  37. 10.37

    वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनंजयः। मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः।।10.37।।

    vṛiṣhṇīnāṁ vāsudevo ’smi pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañjayaḥ munīnām apyahaṁ vyāsaḥ kavīnām uśhanā kaviḥ

    Among the Vrishnis, I am Vaasudeva; among the Pandavas, I am Arjuna; among the sages, I am Vyasa; among the poets, I am Usanas, the poet.

    Word-by-word meanings

    vṛiṣhṇīnām—amongst the descendants of Vrishni; vāsudevaḥ—Krishna, the son of Vasudev; asmi—I am; pāṇḍavānām—amongst the Pandavas; dhanañjayaḥ—Arjun, the conqueror of wealth; munīnām—amongst the sages; api—also; aham—I; vyāsaḥ—Ved Vyas; kavīnām—amongst the great thinkers; uśhanā—Shukracharya; kaviḥ—the thinker

  38. 10.38

    दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम्। मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम्।।10.38।।

    daṇḍo damayatām asmi nītir asmi jigīṣhatām maunaṁ chaivāsmi guhyānāṁ jñānaṁ jñānavatām aham

    Of those who punish, I am the scepter; among those who seek victory, I am statesmanship; and among secrets, I am silence; I am knowledge among knowers.

    Word-by-word meanings

    daṇḍaḥ—punishment; damayatām—amongst means of preventing lawlessness; asmi—I am; nītiḥ—proper conduct; asmi—I am; jigīṣhatām—amongst those who seek victory; maunam—silence; cha—and; eva—also; asmi—I am; guhyānām—amongst secrets; jñānam—wisdom; jñāna-vatām—in the wise; aham—I

  39. 10.39

    यच्चापि सर्वभूतानां बीजं तदहमर्जुन। न तदस्ति विना यत्स्यान्मया भूतं चराचरम्।।10.39।।

    yach chāpi sarva-bhūtānāṁ bījaṁ tad aham arjuna na tad asti vinā yat syān mayā bhūtaṁ charācharam

    And whatever is the seed of all beings, that too am I, O Arjuna; there is no being, be it moving or unmoving, that can exist without Me.

    Word-by-word meanings

    yat—which; cha—and; api—also; sarva-bhūtānām—of all living beings; bījam—generating seed; tat—that; aham—I; arjuna—Arjun; na—not; tat—that; asti—is; vinā—without; yat—which; syāt—may exist; mayā—me; bhūtam—creature; chara-acharam—moving and nonmoving

  40. 10.40

    नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परंतप। एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया।।10.40।।

    nānto ’sti mama divyānāṁ vibhūtīnāṁ parantapa eṣha tūddeśhataḥ prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā

    There is no end to My divine glories, O Arjuna, but this is a brief statement by Me of the particulars of My divine glory.

    Word-by-word meanings

    na—not; antaḥ—end; asti—is; mama—my; divyānām—divine; vibhūtīnām—manifestations; parantapa—Arjun, the conqueror of the enemies; eṣhaḥ—this; tu—but; uddeśhataḥ—just one portion; proktaḥ—declared; vibhūteḥ—of (my) glories; vistaraḥ—the breath of the topic; mayā—by me

  41. 10.41

    यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा। तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसंभवम्।।10.41।।

    yad yad vibhūtimat sattvaṁ śhrīmad ūrjitam eva vā tat tad evāvagachchha tvaṁ mama tejo ’nśha-sambhavam

    Whatever being there is glorious, prosperous, or powerful, know that to be a manifestation of a part of My splendor.

    Word-by-word meanings

    yat yat—whatever; vibhūtimat—opulent; sattvam—being; śhrī-mat—beautiful; ūrjitam—glorious; eva—also; vā—or; tat tat—all that; eva—only; avagachchha—know; tvam—you; mama—my; tejaḥ-anśha-sambhavam—splendor; anśha—a part; sambhavam—born of

  42. 10.42

    अथवा बहुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन। विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत्।।10.42।।

    atha vā bahunaitena kiṁ jñātena tavārjuna viṣhṭabhyāham idaṁ kṛitsnam ekānśhena sthito jagat

    But, of what avail is the knowledge of all these details to you, O Arjuna? I exist, supporting this whole world with one part of Myself.

    Word-by-word meanings

    athavā—or; bahunā—detailed; etena—by this; kim—what; jñātena tava—can be known by you; arjuna—Arjun; viṣhṭabhya—pervade and support; aham—I; idam—this; kṛitsnam—entire; eka—by one; anśhena—fraction; sthitaḥ—am situated; jagat—creation