The Bhagavad Gita unfolds on the battlefield of kurukṣētra, in the heart of the epic mahābhārata. Here, two mighty armies-the pāṇḍavāḥ and the kauravāḥ-stand poised for war. In this charged moment, śrīkṛṣṇa, the charioteer and guide, speaks to the troubled warrior arjuna. Their dialogue is not just about war, but about the deepest questions of life, duty, and the nature of the self.
Chapter 10, called vibhūtīyōgaḥ or "Vibhuti yōga," is a turning point. The word "vibhuti" means divine manifestations or glories. In this chapter, śrīkṛṣṇa reveals how his presence shines through the wonders of the world-through the brightest stars, the noblest leaders, the most powerful forces in nature, and the deepest qualities in people.
Looking ahead, the next chapter-viśvarūpa-darśana-yōgaḥ-will take this vision even further. śrīkṛṣṇa will grant arjuna a direct vision of his cosmic form, revealing the unity and majesty behind all these manifestations. But before that awe-inspiring moment, vibhūtīyōgaḥ helps us tune our awareness to the divine that is already all around us, waiting to be seen.
ōṃ śrīparamātmanē namaḥ
atha daśamō'dhyāyaḥ
vibhūtiyōgaḥ
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Salutations to the Supreme Self. Now begins the tenth chapter, titled 'The Yoga of Divine Glories.'
śrī bhagavānuvācha
bhūya ēva mahābāhō śṛṇu mē paramaṃ vachaḥ ।
yattē'haṃ prīyamāṇāya vakṣyāmi hitakāmyayā ॥1॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
The Blessed Lord said: O mighty-armed Arjuna, listen once more to my highest teaching. Because you are dear to me and take joy in my words, I will speak for your benefit and well-being.
na mē viduḥ suragaṇāḥ prabhavaṃ na maharṣayaḥ ।
ahamādirhi dēvānāṃ maharṣīṇāṃ cha sarvaśaḥ ॥2॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Neither the gods nor the great sages truly understand My origin or power, because I am the complete source of both the gods and the sages in every respect.
yō māmajamanādiṃ cha vētti lōkamahēśvaram ।
asammūḍhaḥ sa martyēṣu sarvapāpaiḥ pramuchyatē ॥3॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Whoever truly understands Me as the one who is unborn, without beginning, and the supreme Lord of all worlds, that person-free from confusion among mortals-is released from all sins.
buddhirjñānamasammōhaḥ kṣamā satyaṃ damaḥ śamaḥ ।
sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ bhavō'bhāvaḥ bhayaṃ chābhayamēva cha ॥4॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Intelligence, knowledge, clarity of mind, forgiveness, truthfulness, control over the senses, calmness of mind, happiness and sorrow, birth and death, fear and fearlessness all arise from me.
ahiṃsā samatā tuṣṭiḥ tapō dānaṃ yaśō'yaśaḥ ।
bhavanti bhāvā bhūtānāṃ matta ēva pṛthagvidhāḥ ॥5॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Non-violence, equanimity, contentment, austerity, generosity, fame, and infamy-these various qualities found in living beings all arise from Me alone.
maharṣayaḥ sapta pūrvē chatvārō manavastathā ।
madbhāvā mānasā jātāḥ yēṣāṃ lōka imāḥ prajāḥ ॥6॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
The seven great sages and the four ancient Manus, all born from My mind and sharing My nature, are the originators of all living beings in this world.
ētāṃ vibhūtiṃ yōgaṃ cha mama yō vētti tattvataḥ ।
sō'vikampēna yōgēna yujyatē nātra saṃśayaḥ ॥7॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Whoever truly understands My divine manifestations and spiritual power becomes firmly established in unwavering yoga. There is no doubt about this.
ahaṃ sarvasya prabhavaḥ mattaḥ sarvaṃ pravartatē ।
iti matvā bhajantē māṃ budhā bhāvasamanvitāḥ ॥8॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am the source of everything; all things arise and operate because of Me. Understanding this, wise people, filled with deep devotion, worship Me wholeheartedly.
machchittā madgataprāṇāḥ bōdhayantaḥ parasparam ।
kathayantaścha māṃ nityaṃ tuṣyanti cha ramanti cha ॥9॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
With their minds focused on Me and their lives devoted to Me, they inspire and teach one another, always speaking about Me. In doing so, they find deep satisfaction and joy.
tēṣāṃ satatayuktānāṃ bhajatāṃ prītipūrvakam ।
dadāmi buddhiyōgaṃ taṃ yēna māmupayānti tē ॥10॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
To those who are always devoted, who worship Me with heartfelt love, I grant the wisdom and discernment by which they come to Me.
tēṣāmēvānukampārtham ahamajñānajaṃ tamaḥ ।
nāśayāmyātmabhāvasthaḥ jñānadīpēna bhāsvatā ॥11॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Out of pure compassion for them, I, dwelling within their very being, dispel the darkness that arises from ignorance by shining the radiant lamp of knowledge.
arjuna uvācha -
paraṃ brahma paraṃ dhāma pavitraṃ paramaṃ bhavān ।
puruṣaṃ śāśvataṃ divyam ādidēvamajaṃ vibhum ॥12॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Reality, the highest refuge, the ultimate purifier. You are the eternal, divine Person, the original God, unborn and all-pervading.
āhustvāmṛṣayaḥ sarvē dēvarṣirnāradastathā ।
asitō dēvalō vyāsaḥ svayaṃ chaiva bravīṣi mē ॥13॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
All the sages have declared you to be the Supreme, and so have the divine sage Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa. Now, you yourself are telling me the same truth.
sarvamētadṛtaṃ manyē yanmāṃ vadasi kēśava ।
na hi tē bhagavanvyaktiṃ vidurdēvā na dānavāḥ ॥14॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Kesava, I accept as true everything you have told me. O Lord, neither the gods nor the demons truly understand your real nature or how you manifest.
svayamēvātmanā''tmānaṃ vēttha tvaṃ puruṣōttama ।
bhūtabhāvana bhūtēśa dēvadēva jagatpatē ॥15॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Supreme Person, you alone truly know yourself by your own nature. You are the creator and master of all beings, the god above all gods, and the ruler of the entire universe.
vaktumarhasyaśēṣēṇa divyā hyātmavibhūtayaḥ ।
yābhirvibhūtibhirlōkān imāṃstvaṃ vyāpya tiṣṭhasi ॥16॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Please describe to me in detail all your divine manifestations, by which you pervade and sustain these worlds.
kathaṃ vidyāmahaṃ yōgin tvāṃ sadā parichintayan ।
kēṣu kēṣu cha bhāvēṣu chintyō'si bhagavanmayā ॥17॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Supreme Yogi, how can I truly understand you while constantly meditating on you? In which particular forms or aspects should I focus my thoughts on you, O Lord?
vistarēṇātmanō yōgaṃ vibhūtiṃ cha janārdana ।
bhūyaḥ kathaya tṛptirhi śṛṇvatō nāsti mē'mṛtam ॥18॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Krishna, please describe your spiritual powers and divine manifestations to me once more, in detail. Listening to your words is like tasting nectar, and I never feel satisfied or tired of hearing them.
śrī bhagavānuvācha -
hanta tē kathayiṣyāmi divyā hyātmavibhūtayaḥ ।
prādhānyataḥ kuruśrēṣṭha nāstyantō vistarasya mē ॥19॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
The Blessed Lord said: Very well, Arjuna. I will now describe to you My divine manifestations, focusing on those that are most significant. There is truly no limit to the full extent of My glories.
ahamātmā guḍākēśa sarvabhūtāśayasthitaḥ ।
ahamādiścha madhyaṃ cha bhūtānāmanta ēva cha ॥20॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, I am the inner Self present in the hearts of all living beings. I am also the source, the sustainer, and the ultimate end of all existence.
ādityānāmahaṃ viṣṇuḥ jyōtiṣāṃ raviraṃśumān ।
marīchirmarutāmasmi nakṣatrāṇāmahaṃ śaśī ॥21॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among the solar deities, I am Vishnu. Among all sources of light, I am the radiant sun. Of the storm gods, I am Marichi. And among the stars, I am the moon.
vēdānāṃ sāmavēdō'smi dēvānāmasmi vāsavaḥ ।
indriyāṇāṃ manaśchāsmi bhūtānāmasmi chētanā ॥22॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among all the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda. Among the gods, I am Indra. Of all the senses, I am the mind. And among living beings, I am consciousness itself.
rudrāṇāṃ śaṅkaraśchāsmi vittēśō yakṣarakṣasām ।
vasūnāṃ pāvakaśchāsmi mēruḥ śikhariṇāmaham ॥23॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among the Rudras, I am Sankara. Of the Yakshas and Rakshasas, I am Kubera, the lord of wealth. Among the Vasus, I am the fire. And among all the towering mountains, I am Meru.
purōdhasāṃ cha mukhyaṃ māṃ viddhi pārtha bṛhaspatim ।
sēnānīnāmahaṃ skandaḥ sarasāmasmi sāgaraḥ ॥24॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, among priests I am Brhaspati, the foremost. Among military leaders I am Skanda, the commander of the gods. Among all bodies of water, I am the vast ocean.
maharṣīṇāṃ bhṛgurahaṃ girāmasmyēkamakṣaram ।
yajñānāṃ japayajñō'smi sthāvarāṇāṃ himālayaḥ ॥25॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among the great sages, I am Bhrgu. Of all words, I am the single syllable Om. Among all sacrifices, I am the silent repetition of sacred names or mantras. Of all immovable things, I am the Himalayas.
aśvatthaḥ sarvavṛkṣāṇāṃ dēvarṣīṇāṃ cha nāradaḥ ।
gandharvāṇāṃ chitrarathaḥ siddhānāṃ kapilō muniḥ ॥26॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among all trees, I am the sacred peepul tree. Among the divine sages, I am Narada. Of the gandharvas, I am Citraratha, and among the perfected beings, I am the sage Kapila.
uchchaiḥ śravasamaśvānāṃ viddhi māmamṛtōdbhavam ।
airāvataṃ gajēndrāṇāṃ narāṇāṃ cha narādhipam ॥27॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among horses, know Me as Ucchaihshravas, the one born from the nectar of immortality. Among elephants, I am Airavata, the lordly elephant. And among humans, I am the king.
āyudhānāṃ ahaṃ vajraṃ dhēnūnāmasmi kāmadhuk ।
prajanaśchāsmi kandarpaḥ sarpāṇāmasmi vāsukiḥ ॥28॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among all weapons, I am the thunderbolt. Of cows, I am Kamadhenu, the wish-granting one. As the force behind procreation, I am Kandarpa, the god of love. And among serpents, I am Vasuki, their leader.
anantaśchāsmi nāgānāṃ varuṇō yādasāmaham ।
pitṝṇāmaryamā chāsmi yamaḥ saṃyamatāmaham ॥29॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among the nagas, I am Ananta; among aquatic deities, I am Varuna. Of the ancestors, I am Aryama; and among those who enforce discipline, I am Yama.
prahlādaśchāsmi daityānāṃ kālaḥ kalayatāmaham ।
mṛgāṇāṃ cha mṛgēndrō'haṃ vainatēyaścha pakṣiṇām ॥30॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among the Daityas, I am Prahlada; among those who measure or reckon, I am Time itself. Among wild animals, I am the lion, and among birds, I am Garuda, the son of Vinata.
pavanaḥ pavatāmasmi rāmaḥ śastrabhṛtāmaham ।
jhaṣāṇāṃ makaraśchāsmi srōtasāmasmi jāhnavī ॥31॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among all things that purify, I am the wind. Of those who wield weapons, I am Rama. Among aquatic creatures, I am the shark. Of all rivers, I am the Ganga.
sargāṇāmādirantaścha madhyaṃ chaivāhamarjuna ।
adhyātmavidyā vidyānāṃ vādaḥ pravadatāmaham ॥32॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, among all created things, I am the beginning, the middle, and the end. Among all forms of knowledge, I am the wisdom that reveals the Self. Among those who engage in debate, I am the honest and constructive discussion that seeks truth.
akṣarāṇāmakārō'smi dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya cha ।
ahamēvākṣayaḥ kālaḥ dhātā'haṃ viśvatōmukhaḥ ॥33॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among all letters, I am the letter 'a'. Of compound words, I am the dual compound. I am truly the inexhaustible time, and I am the creator who sees in every direction.
mṛtyuḥ sarvaharaśchāham udbhavaścha bhaviṣyatām ।
kīrtiḥ śrīrvākcha nārīṇāṃ smṛtirmēdhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā ॥34॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I am death, the one who takes away all things, and I am also the source of all future beings. Among feminine qualities, I am fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, perseverance, and forgiveness.
bṛhatsāma tathā sāmnāṃ gāyatrī Chandasāmaham ।
māsānāṃ mārgaśīrṣō'ham ṛtūnāṃ kusumākaraḥ ॥35॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among the Sama Veda hymns, I am the Brhat-sama. Of all poetic meters, I am the Gayatri. Of the months, I am Margasirsha, and among the seasons, I am the springtime when flowers bloom.
dyūtaṃ Chalayatāmasmi tējastējasvināmaham ।
jayō'smi vyavasāyō'smi sattvaṃ sattvavatāmaham ॥36॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among those who deceive, I am the skill in gambling. I am the brilliance in the brilliant, victory among the victorious, determination in those who strive, and the goodness in the good.
vṛṣṇīnāṃ vāsudēvō'smi pāṇḍavānāṃ dhanañjayaḥ ।
munīnāmapyahaṃ vyāsaḥ kavīnāmuśanā kaviḥ ॥37॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among the Vrishnis, I am Vasudeva; among the Pandavas, I am Arjuna. Of the sages, I am Vyasa; and among those with visionary insight, I am Usana, the wise poet.
daṇḍō damayatāmasmi nītirasmi jigīṣatām ।
maunaṃ chaivāsmi guhyānāṃ jñānaṃ jñānavatāmaham ॥38॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Among those who discipline, I am the force of punishment; among those striving for victory, I am wise strategy. Of all secrets, I am silence, and among the wise, I am their knowledge.
yachchāpi sarvabhūtānāṃ bījaṃ tadahamarjuna ।
na tadasti vinā yatsyāt mayā bhūtaṃ charācharam ॥39॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, I am also the seed from which all beings arise. There is nothing, whether it moves or stands still, that can exist apart from Me.
nāntō'sti mama divyānāṃ vibhūtīnāṃ parantapa ।
ēṣa tūddēśataḥ prōktaḥ vibhūtērvistarō mayā ॥40॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Arjuna, there is truly no limit to My divine manifestations. What I have described to you so far is only a brief selection, given as an illustration.
yadyadvibhūtimatsattvaṃ śrīmadūrjitamēva vā ।
tattadēvāvagachCha tvaṃ mama tējō'mśasambhavam ॥41॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Whatever being you encounter that is marked by special greatness, prosperity, or extraordinary strength, recognize that as arising from a portion of My own divine energy.
athavā bahunaitēna kiṃ jñātēna tavārjuna ।
viṣṭabhyāhamidaṃ kṛtsnam ēkāṃśēna sthitō jagat ॥42॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Or, what is the point of knowing all these details, Arjuna? I support and sustain this entire universe with just a small part of Myself.
॥ ōṃ tatsaditi śrīmadbhagavadgītāsu upaniṣatsu brahmavidyāyāṃ
yōgaśāstrē śrīkṛṣṇārjunasaṃvādē vibhūtiyōgō nāma daśamō'dhyāyaḥ ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Thus ends the tenth chapter, called the Yoga of Divine Glories, in the Upanishads of the Bhagavad Gita, which teaches the knowledge of Brahman and the science of yoga, in the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna.
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