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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
10.2810.30

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.29

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम् ।

पितॄणामर्यमा चास्मि यम: संयमतामहम् ॥ २९ ॥

anantaś cāsmi nāgānāṁ

varuṇo yādasām aham

pitṝṇām aryamā cāsmi

yamaḥ saṁyamatām aham

Translation

Of the many-hooded Nāgas I am Ananta, and among the aquatics I am the demigod Varuṇa. Of departed ancestors I am Aryamā, and among the dispensers of law I am Yama, the lord of death.

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 Representatives

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa says He is Ananta among many-hooded Nāgas, Varuṇa among aquatics, Aryamā among departed ancestors, and Yama among those who enforce law.

  2. 2

    Ananta and Varuṇa are the greatest in their groups and represent Kṛṣṇa. Aryamā rules the ancestors’ planet and also represents Him.

  3. 3

    Yama is the chief giver of punishment. After death, very sinful people are taken to his planet, where he arranges their punishments.

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. anantaḥAnanta
  2. caalso
  3. asmiI am
  4. nāgānāmof the many-hooded serpents
  5. varuṇaḥthe demigod controlling the water
  6. yādasāmof all aquatics
  7. ahamI am
  8. pitṝṇāmof the ancestors
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 10.29 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.

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 todayDevotion Beyond Family BirthA practice from BG 10.30, 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
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