Chapter 10 of 18
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.
42 of 42 verses available
श्रीभगवानुवाच | भूय एव महाबाहो शृणु मे परमं वचः | यत्तेऽहं प्रीयमाणाय वक्ष्यामि हितकाम्यया ||१०-१||
Krishna lovingly invites Arjuna to listen once more, because what He is about to share is meant for Arjuna’s true good. Spiritual wisdom is not given to overwhelm us, but to guide and uplift us when we are ready to hear it with trust.
न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः | अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः ||१०-२||
Even the gods and great sages cannot fully grasp Krishna’s beginning, because He is not a being created within the universe—He is the ultimate source from which they too arise. This invites us to approach the Divine with humility, recognising that the highest reality is deeper than the limits of our intellect.
यो मामजमनादिं च वेत्ति लोकमहेश्वरम् | असम्मूढः स मर्त्येषु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ||१०-३||
Krishna says that a person who truly understands Him as eternal, unborn, and the supreme Lord guiding all worlds is no longer trapped in delusion. This clear understanding transforms the heart, helping one move beyond the ignorance and harmful tendencies that lead to wrongdoing.
बुद्धिर्ज्ञानमसम्मोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः | सुखं दुःखं भवोऽभावो भयं चाभयमेव च ||१०-४||
Krishna says that every kind of human experience and quality—clear thinking, wisdom, forgiveness, self-control, joy, sorrow, fear, courage, birth, and death—ultimately arises from Him. This helps us see life’s changing states with humility: our strengths are gifts to use well, and our difficult emotions are part of a larger divine order that we can face with awareness and faith.
अहिंसा समता तुष्टिस्तपो दानं यशोऽयशः | भवन्ति भावा भूतानां मत्त एव पृथग्विधाः ||१०-५||
Krishna says that the many qualities and experiences found in people—such as non-violence, balance, contentment, discipline, generosity, honour and dishonour—ultimately arise from Him. This reminds us to be humble about our strengths and steady when praise or criticism comes our way, seeing both as part of a larger divine order.
महर्षयः सप्त पूर्वे चत्वारो मनवस्तथा | मद्भावा मानसा जाता येषां लोक इमाः प्रजाः ||१०-६||
Krishna explains that even the great sages, the ancient creators, and the Manus—the guides of humanity—arose from His divine will. All beings in this world ultimately trace their origin back to Him, reminding us that creation is deeply connected to the Supreme source.
एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः | सोऽविकम्पेन योगेन युज्यते नात्र संशयः ||१०-७||
When you truly recognise the Divine presence and power working throughout the world, your faith stops being easily shaken. This understanding helps you stay steadily connected to God, even when life brings change, difficulty, or uncertainty.
अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते | इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विताः ||१०-८||
Krishna says that everything in creation arises from Him and is sustained by His power. When a person truly understands this, devotion becomes more than a ritual—it becomes a heartfelt response of gratitude, humility, and love toward the divine source behind all life.
मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा बोधयन्तः परस्परम् | कथयन्तश्च मां नित्यं तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च ||१०-९||
Those who keep their hearts and thoughts centred on Krishna find strength in one another. By sharing spiritual understanding and lovingly speaking about the Divine, they experience a deep contentment and joy that does not depend on outer circumstances.
तेषां सततयुक्तानां भजतां प्रीतिपूर्वकम् | ददामि बुद्धियोगं तं येन मामुपयान्ति ते ||१०-१०||
Krishna says that when people stay connected to Him with steady, loving devotion, He does not leave them to struggle alone. He gives them the inner clarity and wisdom to recognise the right path and gradually draw closer to Him.
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः | नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता ||१०-११||
When you turn to the Divine with sincere love and trust, Krishna says He does not leave you lost in doubt. From within your own heart, He compassionately lights the lamp of wisdom, clearing the ignorance and confusion that keep you from seeing the truth.
अर्जुन उवाच परं ब्रह्म परं धाम पवित्रं परमं भवान् | पुरुषं शाश्वतं दिव्यमादिदेवमजं विभुम् ||१०-१२||
Arjuna recognises Krishna as the ultimate reality: eternal, pure, divine, unborn, and present everywhere. This is not merely praise; it is Arjuna’s heartfelt acceptance that Krishna is the source and shelter of all existence, beyond the limits of time and birth.
आहुस्त्वामृषयः सर्वे देवर्षिर्नारदस्तथा | असितो देवलो व्यासः स्वयं चैव ब्रवीषि मे ||१०-१३||
Arjuna says that Krishna’s divine nature is not merely his personal belief. Great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa have all recognised and declared it, and Krishna Himself confirms it. His faith rests on both the wisdom of realised teachers and his own direct experience of Krishna.
सर्वमेतदृतं मन्ये यन्मां वदसि केशव | न हि ते भगवन्व्यक्तिं विदुर्देवा न दानवाः ||१०-१४||
Arjuna tells Krishna that he accepts His words as completely true. He recognises that Krishna’s divine reality is beyond the full understanding of even gods and powerful beings; it can be known only through Krishna’s own grace and revelation. This is Arjuna’s humble expression of faith, not blind belief.
स्वयमेवात्मनात्मानं वेत्थ त्वं पुरुषोत्तम | भूतभावन भूतेश देवदेव जगत्पते ||१०-१५||
Arjuna says that Krishna alone truly knows His own limitless divine nature. With deep reverence, he addresses Krishna as the source and Lord of all beings, the God of gods, and the ruler of the whole universe.
वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः | याभिर्विभूतिभिर्लोकानिमांस्त्वं व्याप्य तिष्ठसि ||१०-१६||
Arjuna asks Krishna to describe His divine manifestations in full—the ways His presence and power fill and sustain the whole universe. His request comes from devotion and a desire to recognise the Divine more deeply in the world around him.
कथं विद्यामहं योगिंस्त्वां सदा परिचिन्तयन् | केषु केषु च भावेषु चिन्त्योऽसि भगवन्मया ||१०-१७||
Arjuna asks Krishna how he can keep remembering and recognising the Divine in everyday life. He wants to know the forms, qualities, and situations through which he can contemplate God with a steady, loving mind.
विस्तरेणात्मनो योगं विभूतिं च जनार्दन | भूयः कथय तृप्तिर्हि शृण्वतो नास्ति मेऽमृतम् ||१०-१८||
Arjuna asks Krishna to speak further about His divine power and the many ways He is present in the world. Listening to this wisdom feels like nectar to him: the more he hears, the deeper his devotion and longing to understand become.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः | प्राधान्यतः कुरुश्रेष्ठ नास्त्यन्तो विस्तरस्य मे ||१०-१९||
Krishna tells Arjuna that He will now describe some of His most important divine manifestations. His presence and greatness can be seen throughout creation, but they are so vast that no complete description could ever capture them all.
अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थितः | अहमादिश्च मध्यं च भूतानामन्त एव च ||१०-२०||
Krishna says that the divine presence is not far away or limited to a temple—it lives within the heart of every being. He is the source from which all life begins, the power sustaining it through every stage, and the reality into which all beings ultimately return. Seeing this can bring humility, reverence, and a deeper sense of connection with everyone around us.
आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान् | मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी ||१०-२१||
Krishna points to the most radiant and life-giving presences in creation—the sun, the moon, Vishnu among the Adityas, and Marichi among the winds—and says that their excellence reflects Him. When we see greatness, beauty, light, or sustaining power in the world, we can remember the Divine source shining through it.
वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः | इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना ||१०-२२||
Krishna points to the finest and most powerful expressions in creation to help us recognise His presence everywhere. The mind that coordinates our senses and the awareness that makes living beings conscious are also divine gifts; remembering this can turn ordinary experience into reverence and devotion.
रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम् | वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरुः शिखरिणामहम् ||१०-२३||
Krishna says that wherever we see exceptional power, richness, purity, or greatness in the world, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. In Sankara, Kubera, fire, and Mount Meru, He points to the highest and most striking qualities within their respective groups, helping us recognise the sacred behind all true excellence.
पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ बृहस्पतिम् | सेनानीनामहं स्कन्दः सरसामस्मि सागरः ||१०-२४||
Krishna says that wherever wisdom guides leadership, courage leads from the front, or greatness appears vast and deep, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. Brihaspati represents the highest counsel, Skanda fearless command, and the ocean an immeasurable expanse—reminding us to recognise God in the finest qualities around us.
महर्षीणां भृगुरहं गिरामस्म्येकमक्षरम् | यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि स्थावराणां हिमालयः ||१०-२५||
Krishna points to the finest expressions of wisdom, sound, worship, and natural grandeur as signs of His presence: the sage Bhrigu, the sacred sound Om, the quiet discipline of mantra repetition, and the Himalayas. The verse reminds us that the Divine can be approached not only through grand rituals, but also through steady inner remembrance and reverence for what is महान and uplifting.
अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारदः | गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथः सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनिः ||१०-२६||
Krishna says that wherever there is exceptional beauty, wisdom, creativity, or spiritual attainment, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. The sacred Peepul tree, the sage Narada, the celestial musician Chitraratha, and the realised sage Kapila are examples of excellence that can remind us of the Divine.
उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम् | ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम् ||१०-२७||
Krishna says that wherever there is extraordinary excellence, strength, or leadership, it can be seen as a glimpse of His divine glory. Ucchaisravas among horses, Airavata among elephants, and a righteous king among people represent the finest and most powerful of their kind. This invites us to recognise God’s presence not only in temples, but also in greatness, dignity, and noble leadership in the world.
आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक् | प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः ||१०-२८||
Krishna says that wherever power, abundance, attraction, or striking excellence appears in its highest form, it reflects a glimpse of the Divine. The thunderbolt’s strength, Kamadhenu’s generosity, the creative force of love, and Vasuki’s greatness among serpents all point to God’s limitless presence in the world.
अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम् | पितॄणामर्यमा चास्मि यमः संयमतामहम् ||१०-२९||
Krishna points to the most revered and powerful beings in different realms—Ananta among the serpents, Varuna among water powers, Aryaman among the ancestors, and Yama among those who uphold discipline and justice. Wherever there is greatness that preserves order, responsibility, and self-control, it reflects a glimpse of the Divine.
प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम् | मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम् ||१०-३०||
Krishna says that wherever extraordinary courage, strength, order, or unwavering devotion appears, it reflects a glimpse of His divine presence. Prahlada’s faith stood firm even in a hostile family; time quietly measures and transforms everything; the lion represents majesty among animals, and Garuda represents power and freedom among birds. The verse invites us to recognise God’s greatness in the finest and most powerful expressions of creation.
पवनः पवतामस्मि रामः शस्त्रभृतामहम् | झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी ||१०-३१||
Krishna points to the finest and most powerful expressions in creation—the purifying wind, Rama’s righteous strength, the mighty shark, and the sacred Ganga. He invites us to recognise the Divine wherever we see purity, courage, excellence, strength, and a power that uplifts life.
सर्गाणामादिरन्तश्च मध्यं चैवाहमर्जुन | अध्यात्मविद्या विद्यानां वादः प्रवदतामहम् ||१०-३२||
Krishna says that He is present throughout every cycle of creation—from its beginning, through its unfolding, to its end. Among all forms of learning, He highlights self-knowledge as the highest, because understanding who we truly are gives direction to every other kind of knowledge. He is also the honest, truth-seeking dialogue that helps people move beyond argument and confusion.
अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्वः सामासिकस्य च | अहमेवाक्षयः कालो धाताहं विश्वतोमुखः ||१०-३३||
Krishna says that He is present in the basic patterns that hold the world together: the first sound of language, the harmony of paired words, and the endless flow of time. He is also the universal giver of the results of our actions, seeing every being and every effort from all directions. Nothing we do is lost or unseen in the larger order of life.
मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम् | कीर्तिः श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृतिः क्षमा ||१०-३४||
Krishna says that even death, which takes everything away, is part of His power, and that He is also the source from which all future life and beginnings arise. He can be recognised in noble qualities such as honour, prosperity, graceful speech, memory, intelligence, courage, and forgiveness—qualities that bring strength and dignity to human life.
बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम् | मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकरः ||१०-३५||
Krishna says that wherever there is something especially uplifting, beautiful, or life-giving, it can remind us of the Divine. Among sacred chants He is the majestic Brihatsaman, among poetic metres the Gayatri, among months Margashirsha, and among seasons the flower-filled spring. The verse invites us to recognise God’s presence in excellence, harmony, and the renewing beauty of nature.
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् | जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ||१०-३६||
Krishna says that the power and skill seen even in gambling and deception ultimately arise from Him, though this is not an approval of dishonest behaviour. He is the brilliance in the brilliant, the strength of firm resolve, the purity in virtuous people, and the power behind every true victory. See these highest qualities as reminders of the Divine, and use your own abilities with integrity and purpose.
वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जयः | मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः ||१०-३७||
Krishna says that wherever extraordinary wisdom, courage, insight, or creative brilliance appears, it reflects a glimpse of the Divine. By naming revered figures such as Vasudeva, Arjuna, Vyasa, and Ushanas, He teaches us to recognise God’s presence in the finest qualities expressed through human beings.
दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम् | मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ||१०-३८||
Krishna says that wherever rightful discipline, wise strategy, meaningful silence, and true understanding are found, they reflect His presence. Strength is not merely force: it includes the ability to uphold justice, act thoughtfully toward a worthy goal, keep confidences when needed, and use knowledge with clarity and wisdom.
यच्चापि सर्वभूतानां बीजं तदहमर्जुन | न तदस्ति विना यत्स्यान्मया भूतं चराचरम् ||१०-३९||
Krishna says that He is the original seed—the source from which every living and non-living thing arises. Nothing in creation, whether it moves or stands still, exists independently of the Divine presence and power that sustains it.
नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परन्तप | एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया ||१०-४०||
Krishna tells Arjuna that His divine expressions are limitless; no list can fully describe them. The examples He has shared are only a small glimpse, meant to help us recognise the sacred greatness and presence of the Divine throughout the world.
यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा | तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसम्भवम् ||१०-४१||
Whenever you encounter extraordinary beauty, wisdom, success, strength, or greatness in anyone or anything, see it as a small spark of the Divine splendour. This vision helps us admire excellence without becoming jealous or arrogant, and reminds us that all true greatness ultimately has its source in God.
अथवा बहुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन | विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत् ||१०-४२||
Krishna tells Arjuna not to get lost in endless details about His greatness. Everything in this vast universe is sustained by just a small expression of the Divine; the full reality of God is far beyond what the mind can measure. This invites us to feel humility, wonder, and trust rather than trying to control everything through limited understanding.
