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Chapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.21

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंश‍ुमान् ।

मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी ॥ २१ ॥

ādityānām ahaṁ viṣṇur

jyotiṣāṁ ravir aṁśumān

marīcir marutām asmi

nakṣatrāṇām ahaṁ śaśī

Translation

Of the Ādityas I am Viṣṇu, of lights I am the radiant sun, of the Maruts I am Marīci, and among the stars I am the moon.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Kṛṣṇa’s Prominent Representations

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is Viṣṇu among the Ādityas, the sun among lights, Marīci among the Maruts, and the moon among stars.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that the sun is chief among lights and is accepted as the glowing eye of the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    When you see the sun or moon, remember that they represent Kṛṣṇa.

Further reading

Krishna’s Opulences Krishna Describes The Most Prominent Among His

limitless, all-pervading opulences

Names His opulences and then explains that these opulences simply indicate a fraction of His glory

Because He pervades and supports the entire universe with a mere fragment of His total potency

Chapter 10, section IV: Krishna’s Opulences Krishna Describes The Most Prominent Among His
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ādityānāmof the Ādityas
  2. ahamI am
  3. viṣṇuḥthe Supreme Lord
  4. jyotiṣāmof all luminaries
  5. raviḥthe sun
  6. aṁśu-mānradiant
  7. marīciḥMarīci
  8. marutāmof the Maruts
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 10.21 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa in Every HeartA practice from BG 10.20, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.