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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
10.2910.31

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.30

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां काल: कलयतामहम् ।

मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम् ॥ ३० ॥

prahlādaś cāsmi daityānāṁ

kālaḥ kalayatām aham

mṛgāṇāṁ ca mṛgendro ’haṁ

vainateyaś ca pakṣiṇām

Translation

Among the Daitya demons I am the devoted Prahlāda, among subduers I am time, among beasts I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuḍa.

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

Representatives of Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa says He is Prahlāda among Daityas, time among subduers, the lion among beasts, and Garuḍa among birds.

  2. 2

    Though born among atheistic Daityas, Prahlāda was devoted from childhood. His devotional service and godly nature make him Kṛṣṇa’s representative.

  3. 3

    Time represents Kṛṣṇa because it wears down all things in the material universe.

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. prahlādaḥPrahlāda
  2. caalso
  3. asmiI am
  4. daityānāmof the demons
  5. kālaḥtime
  6. kalayatāmof subduers
  7. ahamI am
  8. mṛgāṇāmof animals
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 10.30 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 todayDevotion Beyond Family BirthOne practice from 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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