Shrimad Bhagavad Gita · 42 verses
Chapter 10: The Divine Glories
Krishna describes his divine glories: whatever is excellent, beautiful or powerful in the world is a spark of his splendour.
All verses, with meaning
10.1Listen once moreShri Krishna says: Mighty-armed Arjuna, listen again to my highest teaching. Because you l…10.2Source of gods and sagesNeither the gods nor the great sages know where I come from. I am the source of all the go…10.3Knowing the unborn LordOne who knows me as unborn, without beginning, and the great Lord of all the worlds is fre…10.4All qualities come from HimIntelligence, knowledge, clear thinking, forgiveness, truth, self-control and calm; joy an…10.5All qualities come from Himnon-violence, even-mindedness, contentment, austerity, charity, fame and dishonour — all t…10.6Sages and Manus from His mindThe seven great sages, the four ancient ones before them, and the Manus were all born from…10.7Knowing His gloryWhoever truly understands this glory and divine power of mine becomes joined to me in stea…10.8Source of everythingI am the origin of everything; from me all things move and grow. Knowing this, the wise wo…10.9Joy of devoteesTheir minds rest in me and their lives are given to me. They inspire one another, always t…10.10The gift of understandingTo those who are always devoted and worship me with love, I give the understanding by whic…10.11Lamp of knowledgeOut of compassion for them, I live within their hearts and destroy the darkness of ignoran…10.12Arjuna's praiseArjuna said: You are the Supreme Brahman, the highest home, the purest of all. You are the…10.13The sages agreeAll the sages say this about you — the divine sage Narad, Asit, Deval and Vyasa. And now y…10.14Faith in Krishna's wordsKeshav, I accept everything you tell me as true. O Lord, neither the gods nor the demons t…10.15Only He knows HimselfO Supreme Person, creator and Lord of all beings, God of gods and master of the world — yo…10.16Arjuna asks for gloriesPlease tell me fully about your divine glories, through which you fill and live in all the…10.17How to think of GodO Master of yoga, how should I keep thinking of you so that I may know you? In which forms…10.18Never tired of hearingJanardan, tell me again in detail about your power and glories. Hearing your nectar-like w…10.19Glories without endShri Krishna said: Very well, I will tell you my main divine glories, best of the Kurus. T…10.20The Self in every heartArjuna, I am the Self living in the heart of every being. I am the beginning, the middle a…10.21Vishnu, sun and moonAmong the Adityas I am Vishnu, among lights I am the radiant sun. Among the Maruts I am Ma…10.22Sama Veda and the mindAmong the Vedas I am the Sama Veda, among the gods I am Indra. Among the senses I am the m…10.23Shankar, Kuber and MeruAmong the Rudras I am Shankar, among the Yakshas and Rakshasas I am Kuber. Among the Vasus…10.24Brihaspati, Skand, oceanKnow me, Arjuna, as Brihaspati, the chief of priests. Among army commanders I am Skand, an…10.25Om and japaAmong great sages I am Bhrigu, and among words I am the single syllable Om. Among offering…10.26Peepal, Narad, KapilAmong trees I am the sacred peepal, and among divine sages I am Narad. Among the Gandharva…10.27Uchchaihshrava and AiravatAmong horses, know me as Uchchaihshrava, born from the churning of the ocean for nectar. A…10.28Vajra and KamadhenuAmong weapons I am the thunderbolt, and among cows I am Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow…10.29Ananta, Varun and YamaAmong the Nagas I am Ananta (Sheshnag), among water beings I am Varun. Among the ancestors…10.30Prahlad, lion and GarudAmong the Daityas I am Prahlad, and among those who measure I am time. Among animals I am …10.31Ram and GangaAmong purifiers I am the wind, and among warriors I am Ram. Among water creatures I am the…10.32Knowledge of the SelfArjuna, I am the beginning, middle and end of all creation. Among kinds of knowledge I am …10.33The letter A and endless timeAmong letters I am "A", and among word-compounds I am the pairing kind (dvandva). I alone …10.34Death and seven virtuesI am all-consuming death and the source of all that is yet to be. Among feminine qualities…10.35Gayatri and springAmong the Sama hymns I am the Brihatsama, and among poetic metres I am Gayatri. Among mont…10.36Splendour, victory, effortAmong deceivers I am gambling, and I am the brilliance of the brilliant. I am victory, I a…10.37Vasudev, Arjuna, VyasaAmong the Vrishnis I am Vasudev, and among the Pandavas I am Arjuna himself. Among sages I…10.38Silence among secretsAmong those who discipline I am the rod of justice, and among those who seek victory I am …10.39Seed of all beingsWhatever is the seed of all beings, Arjuna, that is me. Nothing that moves or stays still …10.40Only a small glimpseThere is no end to my divine glories, Arjuna. What I have told you is only a short sample …10.41A spark of His splendourWhatever is glorious, beautiful or powerful anywhere, know that it has come from just a sm…10.42One fraction holds allBut what need is there, Arjuna, to know all these details? I hold up this entire universe …