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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
10.2110.23

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.22

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासव: ।

इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना ॥ २२ ॥

vedānāṁ sāma-vedo ’smi

devānām asmi vāsavaḥ

indriyāṇāṁ manaś cāsmi

bhūtānām asmi cetanā

Translation

Of the Vedas I am the Sāma Veda; of the demigods I am Indra, the king of heaven; of the senses I am the mind; and in living beings I am the living force [consciousness].

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

The Living Force

  1. 1

    The Lord is the Sāma Veda among Vedas, Indra among demigods, the mind among senses, and consciousness in living beings.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that consciousness distinguishes spirit from matter and is supreme and eternal.

  3. 3

    Consciousness cannot be produced by combining matter.

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. vedānāmof all the Vedas
  2. sāma-vedaḥthe Sāma Veda
  3. asmiI am
  4. devānāmof all the demigods
  5. asmiI am
  6. vāsavaḥthe heavenly king
  7. indriyāṇāmof all the senses
  8. manaḥthe mind
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 10.22 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

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 10 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 10.19Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 10.20Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
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.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction