Chapter 10

Vibhooti Yoga

विभूतियोग

Vibhūti Yog•“Yoga through Appreciating the Infinite Opulences of God”•42 Verses

A Reading - Rantideb

Chapter 9 closed with a simple instruction, keep your attention on what matters most. Chapter 10 answers the natural follow-up question, if Krishna is everywhere and in everything, where exactly should that attention actually land? His answer is a long, almost overwhelming list, he is the best of every category, the most striking mountain, the wisest sage, the most essential letter, the finest example of nearly anything you could name. Why this matters: it's less a literal catalogue and more a way of training perception, teaching you to notice excellence and essence in the specific, concrete things already in front of you rather than only in some abstract, distant idea of the divine. In life, this is the chapter for anyone whose sense of meaning or wonder has gone flat from over-familiarity with their own days. The teaching is to practice noticing the best, most essential quality in ordinary things you already encounter, that noticing itself is the practice, not a separate belief you have to adopt on top of it.

Chapter Summary

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.

Verses in this Chapter (42)

Verse 1

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

The Lord said, "Further, O Arjuna, listen to My Supreme word. Desiring your good, I shall speak to you who loves Me."

Verse 2

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

Neither the host of gods nor the great sages know My power; for I am indeed the source of the gods and the great sages.

Verse 3

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

He who knows Me as unborn, without a beginning, and the great Lord of the worlds - he among mortals is undeluded and is released from all sin.

Verse 4

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

Intelligence, knowledge, non-delusion, forbearance, truth, restraint, self-control, pleasure, pain, exaltation, and depression, fear, and fearlessness;

Verse 5

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

Non-violence, reality, cheerfulness, austerity, beneficence, fame, and infamy - these different qualities of beings arise from Me alone.

Verse 6

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

The seven great seers of yore, as well as the four Manus, all possessing My mental disposition, were born from My mind. All these creatures of the world are descended from them.

Verse 7

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

He who truly knows this supreme manifestation and splendor of My auspicious attributes, becomes united with the unshakeable Yoga of Bhakti - there is no doubt of this.

Verse 8

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

I am the origin of all; from me everything proceeds. Thinking thus, the wise worship me with all devotion (Bhava).

Verse 9

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

With their minds focused on Me, their pranas centered in Me, inspiring one another and always speaking of Me, they live in contentment and bliss at all times.

Verse 10

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

To those who are ceaselessly united with Me and who worship Me with immense love, I lovingly grant that mental disposition (Buddhi-yoga) which leads them to Me.

Verse 11

तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः। नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता।।10.11।।

Out of compassion for them alone, I, abiding in their mental activity as its object, dispel the darkness born of ignorance with the brilliant lamp of knowledge.

Verse 12

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

Arjuna said, "You are the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Light, and the Supreme Sanctifier. All the seers proclaim You as the eternal, divine Person, the Primal Lord, the unborn, and all-pervading. So too do the divine sages Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa proclaim. You Yourself also proclaim this."

Verse 13

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

Verse 14

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

I deem as true all that you have said to me, O Krishna. Truly, O Lord, neither the gods nor the demons know your manifestation.

Verse 15

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

O Supreme Person, O Creator of beings, O Lord of beings, O God of gods, O Ruler of the universe, You Yourself know Yourself alone.

Verse 16

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

You should tell Me without reserve Your divine manifestations where You abide, pervading all these worlds.

Verse 17

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

How can I, Your devotee, know You by constantly meditating on You? And in what ways, O Lord, should I meditate on You?

Verse 18

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

Speak to me again in full, O Krishna, about Your attributes and glories. For I am not sated by hearing Your ambrosial words.

Verse 19

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

The Lord said, "Indeed, I shall tell you, O Arjuna, My auspicious manifestations - those that are most prominent among them. There is no end to their extent."

Verse 20

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

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

Verse 21

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

Of the Adityas, I am Vishnu; of luminous bodies, I am the radiant sun. Of the Maruts, I am Marici, and among the constellations, I am the moon.

Verse 22

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

Of the Vedas, I am the Samaveda; of gods, I am Indra; of sense-organs, I am the mind; and of living beings, I am consciousness.

Verse 23

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

Of the Rudras, I am Sankara. Of the Yaksas and Raksasas, I am the Lord of Wealth (Kubera). Of the Vasus, I am Agni; of the mountains, I am Meru.

Verse 24

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

Among family priests, O Arjuna, know Me to be the chief Brhaspati; of generals, I am Skanda; of reservoirs of water, I am the ocean.

Verse 25

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

Of the great seers, I am Bhrgu; of words, I am the single-lettered word Om; of sacrifices, I am the sacrifice of Japa; of immovable things, I am the Himalayas.

Verse 26

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

Of trees I am the Asvattha; of celestial seers, I am Narada; of the Gandharvas, I am Citraratha; of the perfected, I am Kapila.

Verse 27

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

Of horses, know Me to be Uccaihsravas, the nectar-born. Of lordly elephants, I am Airavata, and of men, I am the monarch.

Verse 28

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

Of weapons, I am the Vajra (thunderbolt); of cows, I am Kamadhuk; I am Kandarpa, the cause of progeny; of serpents, I am Vasuki.

Verse 29

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

Of snakes, I am Ananta; of aquatic beings, I am Varuna; of manes, I am Aryama; of subduers, I am Yama.

Verse 30

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

Of Daityas, I am Prahlada; of reckoners, I am Death; of beasts, I am the lion; and of birds, I am Garuda, the son of Vinata.

Verse 31

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

Of moving things, I am the wind; of those who bear weapons, I am Rama; of fishers, I am Makara; and of rivers, I am the Ganga.

Verse 32

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

Of creatures, I am the beginning, the middle, and the end, O Arjuna. Of sciences, I am the science of the Self (of the individual and Universal Self). Of those who argue, I am the fair reasoning.

Verse 33

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

Of letters, I am the alphabet 'A'; of compound words, I am the dvandva (copulative); I am myself imperishable time; I am the creator, facing all sides.

Verse 34

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

I am also death, which snatches away all. I am the origin of all that will be born. Among women, I am fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, endurance, and forgiveness.

Verse 35

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

Of Saman hymns, I am the Brhatsaman; of meters, I am the Gayatri; of months, I am Margasira (Nov-Dec); and of seasons, I am the season of flowers.

Verse 36

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

Of the fraudulent, I am gambling; I am the brilliance of the brilliant; I am victory, I am effort; I am the magnanimity of the magnanimous.

Verse 37

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

Of the Vrsnis, I am Vasudeva; of the Pandavas, I am Arjuna; of sages, I am Vyasa; and of seers, I am Usana (Sukra).

Verse 38

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

Of those who punish, I am the principle of punishment. Of those who seek victory, I am policy. Of secrets, I am also silence. And of the wise, I am wisdom.

Verse 39

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

I am also that which is the seed of all beings, O Arjuna. Nothing that moves or does not move exists without Me.

Verse 40

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

There is no limit to My divine manifestations. Here, I have briefly described the extent of such manifestations.

Verse 41

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

Whatever being is possessed of power, or splendour, or energy, know that as coming from a fragment of My power.

Verse 42

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

But of what use is all this extensive knowledge to you, O Arjuna? I sustain this whole universe with only a fragment of My power.

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