Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 10 Vibhuti Yogah

Vibhuti Yogah - I am all-devouring death, and I am the origin of all that will be born. Of feminine qualities, I am fame, fortune, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and patience.

मृत्यु: सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम् |
कीर्ति: श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृति: क्षमा ||34||

I am all-devouring death, and I am the origin of all that will be born. Of feminine qualities, I am fame, fortune, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and patience.

Mrityuh: Death, the ultimate taker of all beings.
Kshama: Patience or forgiveness.
Medha: Intelligence or wisdom.

Krishna identifies with both destructive forces like death and nurturing qualities like patience and forgiveness. This duality reflects his role as both the end and the sustenance of all life.

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बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम् |
मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकर: ||35||

Of hymns in the Sama Veda, I am Brihat-sama; of poetry, I am the Gayatri; of months, I am Margashirsha; and of seasons, I am the flowery spring.

Brihat-sama: A hymn in the Sama Veda.
Gayatri: A sacred Vedic mantra.
Kusumakarah: Spring, the season of flowers.

Krishna’s connection with sacred hymns and spring highlights his association with renewal and inspiration. This shloka encourages Arjuna to see divinity in cyclical creation and creative expression.

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द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् |
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ||36||

I am the gambling of cheats, and of the splendid, I am the splendor. I am victory, I am perseverance, and I am the goodness of the virtuous.

Dyutam: Gambling or deceit.
Tejas: Radiance or brilliance.
Vyavasayah: Determination or effort.

Krishna’s identification with victory and brilliance emphasizes his role in inspiring excellence and determination. This resonates with Arjuna’s need to channel divine energy for righteous action.

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वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जय: |
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यास: कवीनामुशना कवि: ||37||

Of the Vrishnis, I am Vasudeva; of the Pandavas, I am Arjuna; of the sages, I am Vyasa; and among great thinkers, I am Ushanas.

Vasudeva: Refers to Krishna, born as the son of Vasudeva.
Dhananjaya: A name for Arjuna, meaning conqueror of wealth.
Ushana: A sage known for wisdom and poetry.

By associating with Vasudeva and Vyasa, Krishna aligns himself with wisdom and divine heritage. This shloka ties Krishna’s cosmic significance to revered figures of tradition, enhancing Arjuna’s reverence.

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Vibhuti Yogah - Among punishments, I am the rod of chastisement; of those who seek victory, I am morality; of secrets, I am silence; and of the wise, I am wisdom.

दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम् |
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ||38||

Among punishments, I am the rod of chastisement; of those who seek victory, I am morality; of secrets, I am silence; and of the wise, I am wisdom.

Dandah: Punishment or the rod of discipline.
Niti: Morality or ethics.
Maunam: Silence, representing secrecy.

Krishna’s connection to discipline and silence underscores his role as the force behind morality and introspection. This guides Arjuna to embrace self-control and inner focus as spiritual tools.

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यच्चापि सर्वभूतानां बीजं तदहमर्जुन |
न तदस्ति विना यत्स्यान्मया भूतं चराचरम् ||39||

I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being—moving or nonmoving—that can exist without Me.

Bijam: The seed or origin of all existence.
Characharam: Moving and non-moving beings.
Bhutanam: All living entities.

Krishna as the seed of all beings emphasizes his role as the source of creation. This reinforces the interconnectedness of all life, inspiring Arjuna to see Krishna in every aspect of the cosmos.

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नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परन्तप |
एष तूद्देशत: प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया ||40||

There is no end to My divine manifestations, O Arjuna. Whatever I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite opulences.

Divyanam: Of the divine or celestial.
Vibhutinam: Manifestations or powers.
Parantapa: A name for Arjuna, meaning scorcher of foes.

By stating the endless nature of his divine manifestations, Krishna invites Arjuna to contemplate the infinite. This shloka shifts focus from specifics to the boundlessness of Krishna’s essence.

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